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.

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.

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science, students must complete 150 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)

Units of study

FBS80001 Core Skills in Forensic Practice FBS80002 Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process FBS80003 Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management

Complete two of the following six units (25 credit points):

FBS80004 Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management FBS80005 Mental Disorder and Offending FBS80006 Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context FBS80007 Substance Misuse and Offending FBS80011 Problem Behaviours 1 FBS80012 Problem Behaviours 2

Complete three of the following units (37.5 credit points):

FBS80004 Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management FBS80005 Mental Disorder and Offending FBS80006 Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context FBS80007 Substance Misuse and Offending FBS80008 Forensic Mental Health Nursing 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 FBS80014 Psychiatry in Forensic Contexts

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

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.

ndicate 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.

• 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.

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).