Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management

The Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management is unique in Australia;

there are currently no other courses offering this specialised program to a multi-disciplinary audience of professionals.

A key strength of the program is the practical focus on how to administer and interpret violence risk assessment tools, and how to formulate recommendations and effective risk management plans.

The course will be taught by expert researchers and clinicians in this field, who will bring the course considerable credibility by virtue of their experience not only working with relevant clients, but investigating optimal approaches to violence risk assessment and management.

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.

• 3 core units (37.5 credit points)
• 1 elective unit (12.5 credit points)

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. It is In Singapore, this course is delivered to offshore international students as a collaboration between Swinburne and Executive Counselling and Training Academy (ECTA). Students are strongly encouraged to attend an on-campus workshop that is offered each semester but attendance is not compulsory and alternative online learning opportunities are offered.Maximum Academic CreditThe maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management is 25 credit points (normally two units)

Units of study

FBS80001 Core Skills in Forensic Practice FBS80003 Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management FBS80004 Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management FBS80002 Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process * FBS80007 Substance Misuse and Offending FBS80006 Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context FBS80005 Mental Disorder and Offending * FBS80013 Working in Corrections and Youth Justice FBS80011 Problem Behaviours 1

• Medicine/Psychiatry
• Social work
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Occupational therapy
• Youth work
• Child and family studies

Non-graduate special entry Requirements for applicants who do not hold an appropriate qualification:

• A minimum of five years' relevant work experience*
• Submission of 500 to 750 word statement demonstrating suitability to the course
• Interview (face-to-face or telephone)

* 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.

Students are expected to be computer literate and to have internet access outside of Swinburne.

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

• apply knowledge of theory in the specialised area of violence risk assessment and management
• apply specialised knowledge of the principles, approaches and methods relevant to violence risk assessment and management
• demonstrate the capacity to comprehend, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information required to undertake risk assessment and management
• identify and analyse relevant information to undertake a comprehensive violence risk assessment and generate appropriate risk management strategies
• apply communication skills to formulate and transmit the outcomes of forensic risk assessment and appropriate management strategies to a diverse audience
• adapt knowledge and skills to a variety of contexts and potential client groups, independently and responsibly
• demonstrate judgement in applying the principles of violence risk assessment and the ability to effectively communicate findings to others
• demonstrate ability to apply the principles of violence risk assessment and management with integrity and informed by relevant ethical considerations.

The Swinburne Graduate Attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching courses 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 and able to manage change
• aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).