Graduate Diploma
There is a rapidly growing need for a skilled workforce in forensic mental health in NSW.
There is a rapidly growing need for a skilled workforce in forensic mental health in NSW. The criminal aspects of forensic mental health services are largely provided for by NSW Justice Health, and the development of new facilities will require additional suitably qualified staff for the foreseeable future. Forensic psychiatry private practice provides further opportunities for practitioners.
The Graduate Diploma in Forensic Mental Health offers you comprehensive training in forensic mental health, covering the theoretical and practical aspects of criminal, civil, child and family forensic mental health sub-specialities. The program aims to provide specialised levels of expertise in the clinical and legal aspects of Law and Forensic Mental Health to an emerging skilled multidisciplinary workforce. It draws upon the existing body of leading expertise in law, medicine and nursing, and the rich clinical resources of the Justice Health Long Bay Matraville complex which includes the high secure Forensic Hospital. The program is entirely online, through video lectures, forums and activities.
Leverage our industry connections
The program is proud to have an active role in transforming mental health work in correctional facilities across NSW. We're also working toward tailoring the program to increase its interstate and international engagement through our global partners. This program draws upon the rich clinical resources of the Justice Health Long Bay Matraville complex, which includes the high secure forensic hospital.
Study with the School of Psychiatry
This program is delivered by UNSW's School of Psychiatry, which is widely reputed as the pre-eminent psychiatric research department in the country. It's also one of the leading university psychiatry research groups internationally. The School receives considerable research funds from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.
Entry into this program requires an undergraduate degree in health (medicine, nursing and other allied health), law, psychology or criminology AND
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Entry into this program requires an undergraduate degree in health (medicine, nursing and other allied health), law, psychology or criminology AND
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
With a rapidly growing need for a skilled workforce in forensic mental health both in Australia and internationally, this degree opens career opportunities in a variety of settings, including:
In New South Wales, the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (JH&FMHN) are the primary providers of forensic mental health services in criminal justice settings. They require increasing numbers of qualified professionals to support their work in improving Forensic Mental Health.