Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health

Explore the relationship between mental disorder and criminal offending.

This degree provides a broad knowledge base in forensic mental health. It's delivered in collaboration with Queensland Health's Forensic Mental Health Service and offers professionals an introduction to working in this field. You will leave the program with research-based knowledge in forensic mental health and how it is applied in practice.

A core part of this degree is the relationship between mental disorder and criminal offending. You'll gain a critical appreciation of the issues involved in defining mental disorder and criminal behaviour, how they are classified and the major models for understanding both, including free will versus determinism, nature versus nurture, and person versus situation.

Risk assessment in forensic mental health will be another key aspect of your study. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the utility and applicability of different risk assessment tools that attempt to predict an individual's likelihood of harming other or being harmed by others.

Industry and expert connections

Throughout this graduate certificate you will learn alongside other professionals and graduates who work in, or wish to work in, mental health and criminal justice. The collaborative learning that's part of this program means you have plenty of opportunity to make personal connections, with your fellow students and with our academics staff.

Graduate outcomes

With a more thorough understanding of mental health issues and the way they intersect with criminal offending, you'll have a more thorough knowledge of forensic mental health with a specialty in different constructions of mental illness that take into account various cultural, normative, philosophical and social aspects and how these intersect with ideas of criminal offending and justice. You may find work in corrections, rehabilitation counselling, charities working in the criminal justice sector, and in government departments and organisations.

Flexibility

Study anytime, anywhere - This degree is available online through our Digital campus, giving you more room to fit university with your work and social life.

Pursue further study

The courses in this graduate certificate may be credited towards a related graduate diploma or masters degree. Griffith's innovative Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past, which will give you an idea of what you can expect.

All applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health must have either:

• a recognised undergraduate degree from a recognised tertiary institution
• OR fulfil the following alternative admission criteria:
• In selected circumstances, applicants without a recognised undergraduate degree may apply for entry based on their work experience in a forensic mental health related field. In these circumstances, the applicant must supply evidence of relevant professional registration or vocational experience in a forensic mental health related field. Such applicants, who will normally have worked relevant positions for a minimum of five years, will be required to provide references from their employers supporting their application for admission and attesting to their ability to complete the program. In these cases, the Program Director will make the final decision and must be satisfied as to the applicant's ability to complete such a course of study.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 58.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

The above requirements are HIGHER than those stipulated in University policy. Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following procedure for further information:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

You will be equipped for work in health departments specifically catering to forensic patients, and in related areas such as corrections, families departments and disability services.

Key employment sectors

• Health Care and Social Assistance
• Education and Training
• Public Administration and Safety
• Other Services

Potential job outcomes

• Welfare manager
• Health manager
• Public health officer
• Counsellor
• Welfare worker
• Community worker
• Probation and parole officer
• Disability services officer

*Source: Australian Government Job Outlook.