Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science (Professional Practice)

If you have a degree in science, or a relevant bachelor's degree, this course will give you the skills you need to help in criminal investigations. Alternatively, if you are already a Police or Forensic professional, you'll be able to upskill or attain a university qualification in your field.

Choose any four of eight postgraduate forensic coursework units where you will to reconstruct crime scenes as you learn to collect, process and interpret biological, chemical and physical evidence.

Build your expertise in specimen preparation, sources of contamination, quality assurance, statistical interpretation and the admissibility of evidence as you learn to prepare and deliver courtroom testimony.

Units completed in this course count as course credit for our Graduate Diploma in Forensic Science (Professional Practice), so you can graduate with a Graduate Diploma with just four more units of study. We also offer a 1.5 year Master of Forensics (Professional Practice) that you can use the units completed in this course as credits for as well.

3 reasons to study a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science at Murdoch

1. Learn to apply real forensic techniques through experiencing multiple crime scene rooms on and off campus. The crime scenes are equipped for different crime scenarios and bloodstain pattern interpretation.
2. Get valuable field experience at our Murdoch University Whitby Falls Farm, where you'll process a simulated large-scale homicide and a clandestine grave incident for evidence.
3. Take advantage of our strong links with industry including the Western Australia Police, Australian Federal Police, PathWest (Forensic Biology), ChemCentre (Forensic Division), Defence Science and Technology Group, Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC), Western Diagnostic Pathology (forensic toxicology) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Develop your skills

Build essential skills and knowledge to meet your career or study goals. Topics you'll cover include:

• Bloodstain pattern analysis
• Chemical criminalistics, including forensic toxicology, trace analysis, illicit drug identification and HAZMAT scenes
• Digital, cyber and emerging forensic disciplines
• Forensic anthropology and archaeology and clandestine grave examination
• Fingerprint and impression evidence

Your future career

You'll graduate with the specialised skills you need to work with the police, national security and defence or other investigative authorities. Careers could include:

• Crime Scene or Forensic Investigator
• Forensic Biologist
• Forensic Chemist for Police, Fire and Emergency services
• Forensic Analyst
• Forensic Researcher (universities or government organisations)

You could also find work in pathology laboratories (such as toxicology, molecular diagnostics or paternity testing) or set up your own private consultancy.

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

• Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
• Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Recommended documents (if applicable)

1. Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
2. Change of name documentation
3. Marriage certificate
4. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
   • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
   • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
2. GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
   • GTE Form 2
   • Personal Statement (SOP)
   • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
3. A copy of your Passport

Recommended documents

1. Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
2. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
3. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
4. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
5. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
6. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing