Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology | Courses | Swinburne University

Study at Swinburne > Courses > Find a course > Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology

GD-PSYFOR Postgraduate Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology is a postgraduate course of study which provides advanced training for practicing psychologists with endorsement in another relevant area who wish to be eligible for endorsement and to acquire the necessary skills to practice forensic psychology. The course comprises coursework and clinical placements.

Students will engage with mental health and justice agencies in Victoria and complete two placements (spread across four placement units) allowing them to acquire expertise in a practical setting under the supervision of forensic psychologists in their workplace.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registrar status with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency as a forensic psychologist. They will also be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Psychological Society College of Forensic Psychologists.

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Duration

2 years part-time

Intakes

Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates

Study mode

Part-time

2023 Start Dates

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

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Course structure

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology students must complete:

Six (6) core units (75 cps)
Two (2) elective units (25cp)

The Forensic Placement units account for 50 of the 75 credit points associated with core units and must be taken sequentially across, at least, two placement locations.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of academic credit granted for recent prior study is 12.5 credit points (one unit). Credit is not provided for placement units.

Units of study

Core Units

Students must complete the following three (3) units (25 cp)

PSY80100 Forensic Psychology, Theory and Practice

PSY80106 Forensic Psychology Theory and Practice B

Elective Units

Students must complete one (1) of the following units (25 cp)

FBS80003 Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management

FBS80005 Mental Disorder and Offending

FBS80006 Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context

FBS80007 Substance Misuse and Offending

FBS80009 Trauma and Offending

FBS80011 Problem Behaviours 1

FBS80015 Development, Developmental Disability and Offending

Placement Units

Students must complete the following four (4) units in sequential order (50cp)

PSY80111 Forensic Placement 1

PSY80107 Forensic Placement 2

PSY80108 Forensic Placement 3

PSY80109 Forensic Placement 4

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

The GD-FPSYFOR is the only bridging program for forensic psychology training accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). It is therefore the only way to obtain formal endorsement of expertise in forensic psychology if you are already a registered psychologist. Students who complete the GD-FPSY are able to work competently in forensic environments such as corrections, youth justice, and forensic mental health. Many graduates work in private practice providing expert reports for state and federal courts in the criminal and family jurisdictions.

Aims and objectives

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

1. Apply cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and identify and provide solutions to complex problems within the forensic context, and to think critically to generate and evaluate complex ideas.

2. Apply specialised and advanced technical and creative skills in the professional practice of forensic psychology.

3. Use communication skills to demonstrate an advanced and broad understanding of theoretical concepts in forensic psychology practice, to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences

4. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills to make high level, independent judgments in a range of technical or management functions in varied specialised clinical and forensic contexts

5. Initiate, plan, implement and evaluate forensic practice within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts

6. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the forensic work or function of others (e.g., supervisees)

7. Apply a broad range of theoretical models, and skills in, forensic practice at an advanced level in a range of professional contexts

Professional recognition

This course is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by the Australian Psychological Society College of Forensic Psychologists.

Pathways and scholarships

- Recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous experience. Following Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course. Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or life experience.

Course fees and requirements

- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Course fees

2023 rate*	Estimated total cost of the course	Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time*	Annual Amenities fee if studying full-time*
Full fee	$34,240	$34,240	See how your SSAF is calculated

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.

Entry requirements

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology must:

Hold an APAC-accredited postgraduate degree in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or clinical neuropsychology and be endorsed by the Psychology Board of Australia in one of those Areas of Practice.

The original postgraduate training must have provided at least 500 hours of supervised practice relevant to achieving graduate competencies in the specialty area of forensic psychology (e.g., direct assessment and treatment with clients; administration of psychometric assessments; case conceptualisation, etc.); and the original postgraduate thesis must be relevant to the area of forensic psychology. Students must attend a selection interview conducted by the Course Coordinator to assess the student’s suitability for the course.

Selection process

Short-listed applicants will be required to participate in a selection interview which will determine whether an offer will be made for enrolment in the program. An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared taking into account academic record, previous work experience and training, and academic and professional referees' reports. Regarding recognition of prior learning, following Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.

Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or life experience.

This program is only offered part-time and therefore not suitable for on-shore international students with a student visa.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply.

Applications to include curriculum vitae (maximum five pages).

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry

Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au