Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice is designed to provide psychiatrists with the knowledge and skills needed to specialise in forensic practice.
The course provides academic and practical skills relevant to the practice of forensic psychiatry. It includes principles of risk assessment, expert testimony, writing forensic court reports and ethical conduct. This course provides the specific training for forensic psychiatrists to graduate as skilled professionals and leaders in the field.
This course is the only dedicated forensic psychiatry qualification offered in Australia. It satisfies the academic requirements set out by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) for admission to the RANZCP.Duration
2 years part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Multi Modal
2023 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
27 February 2023
Semester 2 -
31 July 2023
2024 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
26 February 2024
Semester 2 -
29 July 2024
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The aim of this course is to provide a Graduate Certificate program suitable for psychiatrists wishing to specialise in forensic practice. This course satisfies the requirement of the accrediting body for all Forensic Psychiatric Trainees to complete an appropriate academic course, and is the only dedicated forensic psychiatry qualification available in Australasia.
The course provides academic and practical skills of relevance to the practice of forensic psychiatry, including principles of risk assessment, expert testimony, writing forensic court reports, and ethical conduct. This course provides the specific training for forensic psychiatrists to graduate as skilled professionals and leaders in the field.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice students must complete 50 credit points comprising of:
- Three core units of study (37.5 credit points)
- One elective unit of study from list of specified alternatives (12.5 credit points)
The duration of learning of the Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice is typically two years. As it is anticipated students will enrol in a single unit of study per semester only part time enrolment to the Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice will be offered.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice is 25 credit points (normally two units)
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice is 25 credit points (normally two units)
Units of study
Discipline units
Students will complete the following three core units
Elective units
Students will complete one of the following units as an elective:
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are not normally given for outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Aims and objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- apply specialised knowledge of the core issues and theories required for psychiatric practice in forensic settings
- apply specialised knowledge of the technical aspects of law, forensic systems, and ethics, enabling professional psychiatric practice across a range of settings
- evaluate, critically analyse and respond to challenges unique to working in forensic settings
- identify relevant methods, concepts and theories within forensic psychiatry, to enable evidence based practice in their discipline
- effectively communicate relevant knowledge and ideas with the diverse range of professionals and clients encountered in forensic settings
- apply knowledge of legal frameworks, professional practice and offending behaviour wherever forensic issues are relevant to their work
- adapt knowledge and core practice skills in forensic psychiatry in a manner which is responsible and largely autonomous.
Graduate skills
Graduates will be expected to be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- able to deal with success and failure through informed critique and self-reflection
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change: have the general capacity for flexibility and are open to new and different ways of doing things; able to work across a variety of situations and with a variety of people; recognise the need for lifelong learning
- aware of local and international environments: have cultural sensitivity and a respect for multiple points of view.
Professional recognition
All registrar psychiatrists are required to complete a course of advanced training comprised of professional placements, an accredited academic course and a scholarly project, in order to be eligible to join the RANZCP. SUT is currently accredited as a provider of the academic course component of this eligibility criteria. All Graduates of the GC-FPP will have satisfied the academic qualification required as one component of the eligibility criteria to be admitted to the RANZCP.
Pathways and scholarships
- Scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2023 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year. Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
Applicants for the Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice must:
- be enrolled in an Advanced Training Course for Forensic Psychiatry, such as that offered by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Forensic Psychiatry (RANZCP) (or equivalent), or
- be a registered consulting Clinical and/or Forensic Psychiatrist.
This course is only offered part-time and is not available to on-shore international students on a student visa.