Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology is a qualification for psychologists who want to acquire the necessary skills to practice forensic psychology. With coursework and clinical placements, this qualification gives you expertise in a practical setting under the supervision of forensic psychologists in their workplace.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Upgrade your skills
- Forensic psychology
- Psychology practice
- Conducting forensic evaluations for courts
- Conducting forensic evaluations for tribunals
Stretch your career further
- Work in private practice
- Senior Psychologist
- Youth Justice worker
- Manager, Public Forensic Mental Health services
- Clinical coordinator
Key codes
International 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.
Professional accreditations and recognition
Why Swinburne?
Ranked top 250 in the world for the subject of psychology
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 202383.5% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating
Ranked top 20% in Australia for 5-star PG Overall experience
Qualifications
Applicants for the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology must:
- Hold an APAC-accredited postgraduate degree in clinical psychology, counselling psychology or clinical neuropsychology and be endorsed by the Psychology Board of Australia in one of those Areas of Practice.
- The original postgraduate training must have provided at least 500 hours of supervised practice relevant to achieving graduate competencies in the specialty area of forensic psychology (e.g., direct assessment and treatment with clients; administration of psychometric assessments; case conceptualisation, etc.); and the original postgraduate thesis must be relevant to the area of forensic psychology. Students must attend a selection interview conducted by the Course Coordinator to assess the student’s suitability for the course.
Selection process
Short-listed applicants will be required to participate in a selection interview which will determine whether an offer will be made for enrolment in the program. An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared taking into account academic record, previous work experience and training, and academic and professional referees' reports. Regarding recognition of prior learning, following Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.
Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or life experience.
This program is only offered part-time and therefore not suitable for on-shore international students with a student visa.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Graduate Certificate of Forensic Psychiatric Practice
-
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
-
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing
How credit points work
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology students must complete:
- Six (6) core units (75 cps)
- Two (2) elective units (25cp)
The Forensic Placement units account for 50 of the 75 credit points associated with core units and must be taken sequentially across, at least, two placement locations.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Forensic Psychology, Theory and Practice A
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY80100 |
|
Forensic Psychology Theory and Practice B
Core unit |
PSY80106 |
|
Forensic Placement 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY80111 |
|
Forensic Placement 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY80107 |
|
Forensic Placement 3
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY80108 |
|
Forensic Placement 4
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY80109 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80003 |
|
Mental Disorder and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80005 |
|
Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80006 |
|
Substance Misuse and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80007 |
|
Trauma and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80009 |
|
Problem Behaviours 1
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80011 |
|
Development, Developmental Disability and Offending
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
FBS80015 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$37,360
Total fee* ($AUD)
$37,360
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 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.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!