Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science
The Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science will enable graduates to work effectively in the widest range of forensic environments and with the widest range of forensic populations and to deal with complex and challenging issues in an autonomous manner.
Professionals who work in forensic mental health/behavioural science contexts, or with forensic populations (such as offenders) require specialised 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.
This course is offered through the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne, in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).
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.
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.
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Duration
2 years part-time
Intakes
Online (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Online,
- Part-time
2024 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
26 February 2024
Semester 2 -
29 July 2024
2023 Start Dates
Semester 2 -
31 July 2023
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science will enable graduates to work effectively in the widest range of forensic environments and with the widest range of forensic populations and to deal with complex and challenging issues in an autonomous manner.
Professionals who work in forensic mental health/behavioural science contexts, or with forensic populations (such as offenders) require specialised 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.
This course is offered through the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne, in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).
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.
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.
Course structure
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:
- 3 core units (37.5 credit points)
- 2 units Level 3 units from the elective list (25.0 credit points)
- 3 elective units (37.5 credit points)
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)
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science is 50 credit points (normally four units)
Units of study
Core units
Complete the following three units (37.5 credit points):
Complete the following three units (37.5 credit points):
Complete two of the following six units (25 credit points):
Elective Units
Complete three of the following units (37.5 credit points):
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Aims and objectives
Upon successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science students will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge in a broad range of theories and principles required for practice in the field of forensic behavioural science
- evaluate the complex biological, psychological and systemic factors that influence offending behaviour
- critically appraise and interpret the range of complex factors that contribute to offending behaviour, both at a general and individual level
- apply technical skills to identify and evaluate evidence that helps inform creative problem solving and decision making in professional practice
- synthesise and articulate complex ideas in a coherent and informative manner with the diverse range of professionals and clients encountered in forensic settings
- adapt advanced knowledge and skills to a broad range of specialised forensic contexts and client groups
- utilise a wide range of knowledge and skills to independently develop, plan and implement responses to challenging forensic issues.
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).
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- 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.
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Entry requirements
A recognised three-year bachelor degree in any of the following fields:
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Youth Work
- Child and Family Studies
- Policing
Completion of Bachelor degrees in other relevant disciplines will be considered.
Completion of the Graduate Certificate of Forensic Behavioural Science.
Please provide a 500-word statement of purpose explaining what you hope to achieve from your studies.
If you are applying for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science in order to be immediately considered for entry into the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science then you must indicate in your 500-word statement of purpose that you intend to transfer to the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science immediately, based on a successful Advanced Standing application.
Your application for Advanced Standing will be assessed and if found eligible, you may transfer into the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science the following semester. While enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science you can complete elective units that will be counted towards completion of the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science.
Please speak to Student HQ and ask to speak to the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science course administrator if you have questions about this pathway.
Your application for Advanced Standing will be assessed and if found eligible, you may transfer into the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science the following semester. While enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science you can complete elective units that will be counted towards completion of the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science.
Please speak to Student HQ and ask to speak to the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science course administrator if you have questions about this pathway.