Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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 five placements allowing them to acquire expertise in a practical setting under the supervision of forensic psychologists in their workplace.
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to practice as a forensic psychologist. They will also be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Psychological Society College of Forensic Psychologists.
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Duration
2 years part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Part-time
2022 Start Dates
Winter -
20 June 2022
Semester 2 -
01 August 2022
2023 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
27 February 2023
Semester 2 -
31 July 2023
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
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 five placements allowing them to acquire expertise in a practical setting under the supervision of forensic psychologists in their workplace.
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to practice as a forensic psychologist. They will also be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Psychological Society College of Forensic Psychologists.
Course structure
The part-time Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology consists of 100 credit points. Students undertake a total of eight units of study consisting of three coursework units (37.5 credit points) and five Forensic Placement units (62.5 credit points). All units of study are core units and are valued at 12.5 credit points each. Students are required to complete 500 hours in placements. The Forensic Placement units must be taken sequentially.
Units of study
Year 1
Semester 1
Elective - choose from list below
Year 2
Semester 1
Semester 2
PSY80101 Health and Forensic Psychology (Civil) *
PSY80101 Health and Forensic Psychology (Civil) *
Complete one of the following elective units:
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are not normally given for outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology provides advanced training for practicing psychologists who wish to be eligible for endorsement and to acquire the necessary skills to practice forensic psychology.
Aims and objectives
The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology is intended to meet the strong and ongoing demand for graduates who have completed a high level of training with expertise in forensic psychology.
At the completion of the Graduate Diploma, students are expected to be able to:
- 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
- apply specialised and advanced technical and creative skills in the professional practice of forensic psychology
- 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
- 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
- initiate, plan, implement and evaluate forensic practice within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
- demonstrate responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the forensic work or function of others (e.g. supervisees)
- apply a broad range of theoretical models, and skills in, forensic practice at an advanced level in a range of professional contexts.
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
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and endorsement in the practice area of forensic psychology. They will also be eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Psychological Society College of Forensic Psychologists.
Pathways and scholarships
- Recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2022 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2022 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 Diploma in Forensic Psychology must:
- Hold an APAC accredited postgraduate professional degree in a specified accredited psychology specialisation and be eligible for or have full membership of the college of that specialisation; and
- The original postgraduate training must have provided at least 500 hours of supervised practice appropriate and relevant to practise in the specialty area of the second or additional APS College; and
- The original postgraduate thesis must be appropriate to the area of the second or additional APS College; and
- Attend a selection interview conducted by the course convenor 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 course. 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.
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 course. 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.
This course is only offered part-time and is not available to on-shore international students on a student visa.
* 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.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
Applications to include curriculum vitae (maximum five pages).
Applications to include curriculum vitae (maximum five pages).