Why Study / Key Benefits

The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) combines advanced professional psychology training with high-level research. The programme integrates coursework, clinical and forensic placements, research training and a doctoral thesis.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced clinical and forensic psychology knowledge and professional skills.
• Combine clinical psychology training with specialist forensic psychology training.
• Develop skills in psychological assessment, diagnosis and intervention across the lifespan.
• Gain practical experience through multiple clinical and forensic placements.
• Undertake substantial doctoral-level research and complete a research thesis.
• Develop professional knowledge in ethics, legal practice and culturally reflective psychology.
• Study areas including clinical psychology, forensic psychology and psychological research.
• The programme is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
• Swinburne states that graduates are eligible for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, subject to meeting the applicable registration requirements.
• Graduates can subsequently pursue Clinical and Forensic Psychology areas of practice endorsement after an additional 18 months of approved supervised full-time-equivalent practice with a Psychology Board of Australia-approved supervisor.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines:

• Advanced psychology coursework
• Clinical and forensic placements
• Research training
• Doctoral research
• A doctoral thesis

Students must complete 112.5 credit points of designated coursework, at least 1,500 hours of placement worth 50 credit points, all required HDR milestones and the doctoral thesis/research component worth 237.5 credit points.

Year 1

Semester 1:

• Counselling Theory and Skills – PSY80081 – 12.5 credit points
• Advanced Psychological Assessment – PSY80075 – 12.5 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) A – PSY80091 – 25 credit points
• Ethical, Legal and Culturally Reflective Practice – PSY80086 – 12.5 credit points

Semester 2:

• Adult Psychopathology – PSY80074 – 12.5 credit points
• Clinical and Forensic Placement A1 – PSY80102 – 12.5 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) B – PSY80092 – 25 credit points

Year 2

Semester 1:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Research – PSY80078 – 12.5 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) C – PSY80155 – 12.5 credit points
• Psychology Practice with Children and Adolescents – PSY80099 – 12.5 credit points
• Clinical and Forensic Placement A2 – PSY80103 – 12.5 credit points

Semester 2:

• Forensic Psychology, Theory and Practice A – PSY80100 – 12.5 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) D – PSY80156 – 12.5 credit points
• Clinical and Forensic Placement B1 – PSY80104 – 12.5 credit points

Year 3

Semester 1:

• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) E – PSY80157 – 12.5 credit points
• Clinical and Forensic Placement B2 – PSY80105 – 12.5 credit points
• Forensic Psychology Theory and Practice B – PSY80161 – 12.5 credit points

Semester 2:

• Foundations of Health Psychology – PSY80101 – 12.5 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) F – PSY80158 – 50 credit points

Year 4

The standard full-time Year 4 research structure is:

Semester 1:

• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) G – PSY80159 – 50 credit points

Semester 2:

• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) H – PSY80160 – 50 credit points

Alternative Years 4 and 5 research structure

Candidates may alternatively apply to undertake the research component part-time:

Year 4:

• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) G1 – PSY80151 – 25 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) G2 – PSY80152 – 25 credit points

Year 5:

• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) H1 – PSY80153 – 25 credit points
• Research Project (Clinical and Forensic) H2 – PSY80154 – 25 credit points

This alternative arrangement is a research enrolment option and should not be interpreted as a standard five-year full-time course duration.

Research progress reviews

Swinburne's published HDR progress-review schedule includes:

• Preconfirmation review: 3 months from enrolment
• Confirmation of candidature review: 9–12 months
• Mid-candidature review: 21–24 months
• Draft thesis review: 33–36 months, with follow-up three months before thesis submission

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme's main research and professional areas are:

• Clinical Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Psychology

The programme combines these disciplines rather than offering separate majors.

Key specialist areas include:

• Clinical psychological assessment
• Psychological diagnosis
• Psychological intervention
• Adult psychopathology
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Psychology practice with children and adolescents
• Forensic psychology
• Forensic assessment and practice
• Professional ethics
• Legal and culturally reflective practice
• Health psychology
• Psychological research

Programme Highlights

• Professional doctoral qualification in Clinical and Forensic Psychology.
• 4 years full-time standard duration.
• 400 credit points overall.
• 1,500 hours of clinical and forensic placement.
• 112.5 credit points of designated coursework.
• 237.5 credit points of doctoral research and thesis.
• Multiple clinical placements.
• APAC accreditation.
• Research areas covering Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology and Psychology.
• Full-time enrolment required throughout Years 1–3.
• Potential part-time research enrolment in Year 4 after clinical placement requirements have been completed.
• Research progress reviews throughout candidature.
• CRICOS registered for international students: 083182B.
• Pathway toward general psychologist registration and later Clinical and Forensic Psychology endorsement, subject to professional registration requirements.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career opportunities including:

• Psychologist
• Academic
• Researcher
• Consultant

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• 2027 Research Period 1 begins on 1 January 2027.
• Application deadline for the 2027 intake: 9 October 2026 at 11:59 pm.
• Applications submitted after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Course code: DR-CFPSY.
• CRICOS code: 083182B.
• Hawthorn campus.
• International Student visa holders must study full-time and on campus.
• Students must be eligible for registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
• A selection interview is required for shortlisted applicants.
• Overseas qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society where required.
• Academic and professional referee reports are part of the application process.
• A research supervisor must be identified before applying for the research degree.
• Swinburne states that a research-degree application will not be considered unless the applicant has an appropriate and willing supervisor.

International Student Visa Requirements

Student visa subclass 500

The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology) is CRICOS registered under 083182B. International students intending to study the programme in Australia normally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), subject to their individual circumstances.

Swinburne specifically states that international students in Australia holding Student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. This is particularly relevant because Years 1–3 of this doctorate are full-time.

General Student visa requirements

The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa applicants must, as applicable:

• Be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet the Genuine Student requirement.
• Provide financial and English evidence where required.
• Meet applicable health and character requirements.
• Satisfy any additional evidence requirements identified by the Department's Document Checklist Tool.

Genuine Student requirement

The Genuine Student requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.

Applicants must address:

• Their current circumstances, including family, community, employment and economic ties.
• Why they wish to study the selected course in Australia with the selected provider.
• Their understanding of the intended course and studying and living in Australia.
• How completing the course will benefit them.
• Any other relevant information.