Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

3887 - Graduate Diploma in Forensic Behavioural Science

This course entry should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Managing faculty	Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Abbreviated title	GradDipForBehSci
Total credit points required	48
Standard duration of study (years)	2 years PT
Study mode and location	Off-campus (Caulfield)
Contact details	Postgraduate course administrator: School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine; telephone +61 9903 2475, email fbs.enquiries@med.monash.edu.au, or visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/spppm/pgrad/

Notes

This course is available international students, but is not available to international student visa holders.
Part-time study only.

Description

The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Behavioural Science has been developed to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals working with people displaying offending and other antisocial behaviours, with a particular focus on mental health issues.

Objectives

On completion of the course students will be expected to:

be able to effectively translate evidence-based principles into practice
have an understanding of risk assessment and management practices, including both clinical and medico-legal aspects
be able to adopt effective and strategic approaches to work both within and across service systems
appreciate the ethical dimensions of their work and be able to apply this to their professional practice
appreciate the need for reflective practices and be able to utilise supports appropriately.

Assessment

Assessment tasks include short-answer questions, various applied learning exercises, essays and oral presentations.

Structure

The course consists of two core units and six elective units, each of 6 credit points.

Requirements

Core units

FBS9001 Fundamentals of forensic behavioural science
FBS9002 The role of mental health in criminal offending

Electives

Six of the following:

CRH1001 Research methods in health*
CRH1032 Applied research for rural health practitioners
FBS9003 Mental health and the correctional system
FBS9004 Developmental aspects of mental health and violent offending
FBS9005 The assessment and management of problem behaviours
FBS9006 Advanced risk assessment and risk management
FBS9009 Psychiatric nursing in the forensic context**
elective unit/s may also be taken from course 1976 Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences - Community Mental Health with the approval of both course coordinators

* CRH1001 is a prerequisite for CRH1032, however students who have proven ability in basic research methods may progress straight to CRH1032. Those students without research experience may need to enrol in both CRH1001 and CRH1032.

** This unit is only available to students with an undergraduate qualification in nursing.

Alternative exit(s)

Students may exit with the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science providing all requirements for that award have been completed.

Award(s)

Graduate Diploma in Forensic Behavioural Science