Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management
The Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management is unique in Australia; there are currently no other courses offering this specialised program to a multi-disciplinary audience of professionals.
A key strength of the program is the practical focus on how to administer and interpret violence risk assessment tools, and how to formulate recommendations and effective risk management plans.
The course will be taught by expert researchers and clinicians in this field, who will bring the course considerable credibility by virtue of their experience not only working with relevant clients, but investigating optimal approaches to violence risk assessment and management.
A key strength of the program is the practical focus on how to administer and interpret violence risk assessment tools, and how to formulate recommendations and effective risk management plans.
The course will be taught by expert researchers and clinicians in this field, who will bring the course considerable credibility by virtue of their experience not only working with relevant clients, but investigating optimal approaches to violence risk assessment and management.
This course is offered through the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne, in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).
Information sessions
Find out how you can meet us in your home country or in Australia.
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 75% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
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Duration
1 Year/s (part-time)
Intakes
Online (Semester 1) - View application and start dates
Fees
A$16000 (total for 2020)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management provides advanced training in how and under what circumstances to conduct standardised risk assessments on a range of violent behaviours (e.g. interpersonal violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence) and how to devise appropriate management plans to reduce any identified risks. Elective units provide the opportunity to develop comprehensive conceptual knowledge of specific populations where risk assessments are frequently required (e.g. mentally disordered offenders, substance misusing offenders, personality disordered offenders).
Graduates will attain specialised knowledge of the principles, approaches and methods relevant to these types of risk assessment and management plans. At the completion of the course graduates will be able to apply their skills in effective risk assessment and management in their current work practice, or transfer these skills to working in new environments where risk assessment and management is relevant (e.g. mental health services, corrections, child protection).
Graduates will attain specialised knowledge of the principles, approaches and methods relevant to these types of risk assessment and management plans. At the completion of the course graduates will be able to apply their skills in effective risk assessment and management in their current work practice, or transfer these skills to working in new environments where risk assessment and management is relevant (e.g. mental health services, corrections, child protection).
Note: This course is available to local students and off-shore international students who are studying in a country other than Australia; this course is not available to on-shore international students on a student visa.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course structure
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management, students must complete 50 credit points comprising:
- 3 core units (37.5 credit points)
- 1 elective unit (12.5 credit points)
This course is available to local students and off-shore international students who are studying in a country other than Australia; this course is not available to on-shore international students on a student visa. It is delivered online.
In Singapore, this course is delivered to offshore international students as a collaboration between Swinburne and Executive Counselling and Training Academy (ECTA).
Students are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus workshop that is offered each semester but attendance is not compulsory and alternative online learning opportunities are offered.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management is 25 credit points (normally two units)
In Singapore, this course is delivered to offshore international students as a collaboration between Swinburne and Executive Counselling and Training Academy (ECTA).
Students are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus workshop that is offered each semester but attendance is not compulsory and alternative online learning opportunities are offered.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management is 25 credit points (normally two units)
Units of study
Core units
Complete the following three units (37.5 credit points):
Complete the following three units (37.5 credit points):
FBS80001 Core Skills in Forensic Practice
FBS80003 Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
FBS80003 Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Elective units
Complete one of the following units (12.5 credit points):
Please note: ECTA students select one elective unit from those marked *
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Course aims and objectives.
Aims and objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- apply knowledge of theory in the specialised area of violence risk assessment and management
- apply specialised knowledge of the principles, approaches and methods relevant to violence risk assessment and management
- demonstrate the capacity to comprehend, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information required to undertake risk assessment and management
- identify and analyse relevant information to undertake a comprehensive violence risk assessment and generate appropriate risk management strategies
- apply communication skills to formulate and transmit the outcomes of forensic risk assessment and appropriate management strategies to a diverse audience
- adapt knowledge and skills to a variety of contexts and potential client groups, independently and responsibly
- demonstrate judgement in applying the principles of violence risk assessment and the ability to effectively communicate findings to others
- demonstrate ability to apply the principles of violence risk assessment and management with integrity and informed by relevant ethical considerations.
Pathways and scholarships
- Scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.
Course fees
A$16000 (total for 2020)*
Entry requirements
Standard entry
A recognised three-year bachelor degree in any of the following fields:
A recognised three-year bachelor degree in any of the following fields:
- Medicine/Psychiatry
- Social work
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Youth work
- Child and family studies
Non-graduate special entry
Requirements for applicants who do not hold an appropriate qualification:
- A minimum of five years' relevant work experience*
- Submission of 500 to 750 word statement demonstrating suitability to the course
- Interview (face-to-face or telephone)
* Work experience
Documents substantiating work experience need to be provided on company letterhead and clearly detail roles as well as duties and duration of posts held.
Students are expected to be computer literate and to have internet access outside of Swinburne.
Students are expected to be computer literate and to have internet access outside of Swinburne.
Please note: this course is also available to offshore Singaporean nationals completing the program via Executive Training Counselling Academy (ECTA).
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
- Or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
Prospective applicants residing in Singapore:
Executive Counselling and Training Academy
210 Middle Road
#07-02
Singapore Pools Building
Singapore 188994
Tel: +65 6346 6411
Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg
Prospective applicants residing in Singapore:
Executive Counselling and Training Academy
210 Middle Road
#07-02
Singapore Pools Building
Singapore 188994
Tel: +65 6346 6411
Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg
Find out more
Submit an online enquiry
Tel: +61 3 9214 8444 (outside Australia)
Tel: +61 3 9214 8444 (outside Australia)
Freecall: 1300 794 628 (within Australia)
Prospective applicants residing in Singapore:
Executive Counselling and Training Academy
210 Middle Road
#07-02
Singapore Pools Building
Singapore 188994
Tel: +65 6346 6411
Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg
#07-02
Singapore Pools Building
Singapore 188994
Tel: +65 6346 6411
Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg