Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing | International Student Courses | Swinburne University

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The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing (GC-FMHN) and the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing form part of the broad suite of courses in forensic psychology and forensic mental health at Swinburne University of Technology. In particular, the units in the diploma form part of the subjects that lead to the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science (MA-FBS). Graduates will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills required to work effectively in forensic mental health nursing, including an understanding of legal and correctional systems, advanced instruction in the complex systemic and individual mental health factors that influence offending behaviour, and how to work effectively with challenging patients and behaviours. 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

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Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.

Duration

2 Year/s (part-time)

Intakes

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

Fees

A$36600 (total for 2024)*

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 Forensic Mental Health Nursing and the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing form part of the broad suite of courses in forensic psychology and forensic mental health at Swinburne University of Technology. In particular, the units in the diploma form part of the subjects that lead to the Master of Forensic Behavioural Science.

Graduates will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills required to work effectively in forensic mental health nursing, including an understanding of legal and correctional systems, advanced instruction in the complex systemic and individual mental health factors that influence offending behaviour, and how to work effectively with challenging patients and behaviours.

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.

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 Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

6 core units (75 credit points)
2 elective units (25 credit points)

Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing is 50 credit points (normally four units)

Units of study

Core units

Complete the following six units (75 credit points):

FBS80001 Core Skills in Forensic Practice *

FBS80002 Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process *

FBS80003 Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management *

FBS80008 Forensic Mental Health Nursing *

FBS80005 Mental Disorder and Offending *

FBS80016 Forensic Mental Health Nursing Practice*

Elective units

Complete two from the following list (25 credit points):

FBS80004 Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management

FBS80006 Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context

FBS80007 Substance Misuse and Offending

FBS80009 Trauma and Offending

FBS80015 Development, Developmental Disability and Offending

FBS80011 Problem Behaviours 1

FBS80012 Problem Behaviours 2

FBS80013 Working in Corrections and Youth Justice

* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities and course aims and objectives.

Career opportunities

The Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing will provide specialised training to nurses who are working in, or are seeking to work in, forensic mental health contexts. Forensic mental health nurses work in a variety of settings including secure hospitals, courts and prisons. Additional knowledge and skills are required to work in this field beyond those required of general mental health nurses.

Aims and objectives

Upon successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students will be able to:

apply advanced knowledge of a broad range of theories and principles required for nursing practice in forensic mental health contexts
apply advanced knowledge of the complex systemic and individual mental health factors that influence offending behaviour
cognitive skills that demonstrate the ability to 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 the nursing role
communicate complex ideas in a coherent and informative manner with clients, carers and other health professionals
adapt advanced knowledge and skills to the contexts of forensic mental health nursing, such as correctional or mental health settings
utilise a wide range of knowledge and skills to independently develop, plan and implement responses to challenging issues faced by forensic mental health nurses
employ advanced knowledge of psychopathology and offending behaviour to develop and deliver more effective treatment to clients in forensic mental health settings.

Pathways and scholarships

- 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.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.

Course fees

A$36600 (total for 2024)*

Entry requirements

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

Standard entry
An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent in one of the following fields:

Nursing
Mental health nursing

Applicants wishing to study full-time will be considered on a case by case basis.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions, in respect of courses, to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
minimum IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT (internet-based) minimum score of 79 with a reading band no less than 18 and writing band no less than 20
Pearson (PTE) minimum of 58 (no communicative skills less than 50)
any other equivalent assessment of English language proficiency

Find out more about English language requirements.

How to apply

Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia and international students who are studying in a country other than Australia are able to study this program. Australian international student visa holders are not eligible to study this program as it is delivered entirely online.

Find out more about how to apply.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: +61 3 9214 8444 (outside Australia)

Freecall: 1300 794 628 (within Australia)

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au