Master of Forensic Mental Health

Explore the ways our criminal justice and mental health systems interact. Forensic mental health services assess and treat people with mental health problems who have a history of or are at risk of criminal offending. Professionals in this field might also work in civil legal settings, such as the family court. Forensic mental health is a major consideration for professionals in a range of fields, including medicine, law, nursing, criminology, psychology, occupational therapy and social work.

The Master of Forensic Mental Health was established in response to a local need for trained professionals to work in this expanding field. This progressive degree brings together a diverse cross-section of experiences and perspectives from mental health professionals, members of the legal profession and those involved in the criminal justice system. Through live video discussions, students can exchange viewpoints and insights in an interdisciplinary setting.

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 UNSW's Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health

This program is delivered by UNSW’s Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, 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, and 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

• Honours or postgraduate qualification in health, law, psychology, criminology OR
• At least two years full-time professional or volunteer experience in health, law, psychology or criminology