Specialist Certificate in Criminology (Forensic Disability)

The Specialist Certificate in Criminology (Forensic Disability) will provide an up-to-date understanding of key concepts and issues, including theoretical and practical training in the assessment (including risk assessment) and management of forensic disability populations, and the complex professional and ethical issues encountered when working with this needy and challenging group.

Course structure

The course is based on a points structure with students required to accumulate 25 points in order to receive the award. The subject for the Specialist Certificate is offered at Masters level.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• either

– an undergraduate degree in medicine, an allied health profession, science or social science, and two years of documented relevant work experience, or – at least five years of documented relevant professional work experience which demonstrates the capacity to undertake the course successfully. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking and/or assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic qualification and performance; and/or
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to providingsupport to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

• develop an advanced understanding of the psychology of offending behaviour and the criminal justice system;
• develop their knowledge of the appropriate professional skills to be utilised with different types of offenders and in diverse forensic contexts;
• emerge with an advanced understanding of relevant cultural, legal, policy and political issues;
• have confidence in their capacity to undertake PhD and other advanced research.