General Information

Overview

Professionals who work in forensic mental health/behavioural science contexts, or with forensic populations (such as offenders) require specialized skills. The Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science is designed to provide advanced training to enable a range of professionals to work effectively and independently within forensic settings. Graduates will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills in various aspects of forensic behavioural science, including legal and correctional system functioning, fundamentals of violence risk assessment and management, and comprehensive understanding of complex systemic, individual and mental health factors that influence offending behaviour.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Core Skills in Forensic Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80001
Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80002
Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80003
Units of study Unit code
Students must select 3 from the list.
Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80004
Mental Disorder and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80005
Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80006
Forensic Mental Health Nursing
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80008
Trauma and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80009
Development, Developmental Disability and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80015
Understanding Interpersonal and Other Types of Violent Behaviours
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80011
Problem Behaviours 2
Elective unit 		FBS80012
Working in Corrections and Youth Justice
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80013
Understanding Sexually Violent and Harassing Behaviours
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points 		FBS80017

Course rules

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

  • Three (3) core units (37.5 credit points)
  • Five (5) elective units (62.5 credit points)

This course is offered to domestic or international students studying in their home country and is delivered online.  Standard enrolment is normally part-time.

Graduate skills

Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be: 

  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • effective and ethical in work and community situations
  • adaptable to change
  • aware of local and international environments in which they are contributing (e.g. sociocultural, economic, natural).

Graduate skills

Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its graduates to be: 

  • capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
  • effective and ethical in work and community situations
  • adaptable to change
  • aware of local and international environments in which they are contributing (e.g. sociocultural, economic, natural).

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science is 50 credit points (normally four units).

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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