Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology is designed for professionals working, or intending to work, with forensic populations and in forensic environments. The course combines forensic behavioural science coursework with research training and focuses on applying evidence-based knowledge to complex forensic issues.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge of forensic behavioural science.
• Learn to identify, evaluate and apply evidence in forensic contexts.
• Develop knowledge of violence risk assessment and management.
• Study legal processes relevant to forensic practice.
• Develop research design, statistical and evidence-appraisal skills.
• Develop the ability to deal independently with complex forensic issues.
• Choose between coursework and research-focused pathways within the master's structure.
• Study online, making the programme suitable for eligible international students who remain outside Australia.
• The programme is delivered through Swinburne's Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The master's contains a combination of core units, electives and, where selected, research units. Students can choose either a Coursework specialisation or Research specialisation.

Core units:

• Core Skills in Forensic Practice – FBS80001
• Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process – FBS80002
• Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management – FBS80003
• Conducting Research in Forensic Context – FBS90001
• Statistical Practice 1 – STA60001
• Research Design – STA60004

Each core unit is 12.5 credit points.

Research units:

• Statistical Practice 2 – STA60005
• Research Project 2 – FBS90002

Each research unit is 12.5 credit points.

Elective options include:

• Advanced Violence Risk Assessment and Management – FBS80004
• Mental Disorder and Offending – FBS80005
• Working with Difficult Personalities in the Forensic Context – FBS80006
• Forensic Mental Health Nursing – FBS80008
• Trauma and Offending – FBS80009
• Understanding Interpersonal and Other Types of Violent Behaviours – FBS80011
• Development, Developmental Disability and Offending – FBS80015
• Problem Behaviours 2 – FBS80012
• Working in Corrections and Youth Justice – FBS80013
• Understanding Sexually Violent and Harassing Behaviours – FBS80017.

Coursework specialisation:

• Six core units.
• Six elective units.
• Two of the elective units must be Level 3 units.

Research specialisation:

• Six core units.
• Two additional research units.
• Four elective units.
• Two electives must be Level 3 units.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme offers two master's-level study options:

• Coursework specialisation
• Research specialisation

Programme Highlights

• 150-credit-point master's qualification.
• Online delivery for eligible international students studying outside Australia.
• Coursework and research specialisation options.
• Nested progression from Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma to master's.
• Focus on evidence-based forensic practice.
• Strong emphasis on violence risk assessment and management.
• Research methodology and statistical training.
• Flexible elective choices covering different forensic populations and practice areas.
• Delivered through the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science.
• Collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies career opportunities including:

• Forensic caseworker
• Forensic clinical specialist
• Clinical coordinator

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current programme-specific requirement for international applicants is the delivery restriction:

• This is an online course.
• International students studying outside Australia can undertake the online programme.
• International students who are physically in Australia on a Student visa cannot undertake this online course.
• Swinburne states that international Student visa holders are required to study full-time and on campus, and entirely online courses are not available to them.

Other important requirements:

• Direct entry to the master's is not the standard route and may require Advanced Standing assessment.
• Applicants normally progress through the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
• A Distinction average of 70% or higher in the three specified foundation units is required for the standard transfer route.
• Credit transfer/RPL is assessed case-by-case.

International Student Visa Requirements

This course has an important visa distinction.

For an international student who remains outside Australia:

• An Australian Student visa is not required merely to undertake this online course from the student's home country.
• The course is specifically available online to international students studying outside Australia.

For an international student who wants to travel to Australia on a Student visa:

• This online Master of Forensic Behavioural Science is not available to international students in Australia who hold a Student visa.
• Therefore, this programme should not be selected on the assumption that it can be completed in Australia under subclass 500.

If an applicant instead enrols in an eligible on-campus Swinburne programme requiring an Australian Student visa, the current Department of Home Affairs requirements generally include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Adequate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Evidence of financial capacity where required.
• English-language evidence where required.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Identity and other supporting documentation specified by the Department.

OSHC:

• Student visa applicants must have adequate OSHC.
• The Department's Document Checklist Tool states that OSHC should cover the student and accompanying dependants.
• For the checklist, OSHC is required from at least one week before the course starts and for the duration of the stay in Australia.

Financial capacity:

Applicants may need evidence covering:

• Travel costs.
• 12 months of living costs.
• Tuition fees.
• School costs for school-aged dependants, where applicable.

The exact financial amount depends on the applicant's circumstances and should be checked through the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist Tool at the time of application.

Genuine Student requirement:

• Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024 are assessed under the Genuine Student requirement.
• Applicants must answer questions about their circumstances, reasons for choosing Australia and the education provider, understanding of the course and living/studying requirements, and the benefits of the course.
• Responses must be in English and are limited to 150 words per question.

Work rights for a Student visa:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• The unlimited-work exception applies to students studying master's degrees by research or doctoral degrees; it does not apply simply because a programme is a master's degree.
• Individual visa conditions should always be checked through the visa grant information or VEVO.