Swinburne University of Technology
Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
Develop advanced knowledge for forensic mental health nursing, exploring offending behaviour, violence risk, legal processes and nursing practice across correctional and mental health settings.
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing builds specialised knowledge for nurses working in, or seeking to work in, forensic mental health contexts. The course examines the complex individual and systemic factors associated with offending behaviour and their relevance to nursing practice.
Your studies cover forensic practice, criminal law processes, violence risk assessment and management, mental disorder and offending and forensic mental health nursing practice. Together, these areas develop your ability to evaluate evidence, communicate complex information and plan responses to challenging issues encountered in forensic mental health nursing.
The course comprises six core units and two electives. After completing the four core units that make up the nested Graduate Certificate, you complete two additional core units and choose two electives from the approved list. The course is delivered online and is normally completed part-time over two years.
Graduates may pursue forensic mental health nursing roles in settings such as secure hospitals, courts and prisons. Swinburne notes that forensic mental health nursing requires additional knowledge and skills beyond those required of general mental health nurses.
Key facts
2nd August, 2027
What you will study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students must complete 100 credit points comprising:
- Six core units (75 credit points)
- Two elective units (25 credit points)
Each unit is worth 12.5 credit points.
Complete the following core units:
- Core Skills in Forensic Practice
- Fundamentals of Criminal Law Process
- Principles of Violence Risk Assessment and Management
- Forensic Mental Health Nursing
- Mental Disorder and Offending
- Forensic Mental Health Nursing Practice
Entry requirements
An Australian bachelor's degree or equivalent in one of the following fields:
- Nursing
- Mental health nursing
Applicants wishing to study full-time will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions, in respect of courses, to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
English language requirements
All Swinburne students must be able to meet the English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have one of the following:
- Completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English.
- Completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies).
- Completed English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1.
- Completed an English language (ELICOS) course.
- Lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only).
These requirements vary for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on your chosen course.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have gained extensive and relevant knowledge through formal training or acquired relevant skills through work or through life experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Contact the university or visit their website for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon successfully completing the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Mental Health Nursing, students will be able to:
- Apply advanced knowledge of a broad range of theories and principles required for nursing practice in forensic mental health contexts.
- Apply advanced knowledge of the complex systemic and individual mental health factors that influence offending behaviour.
- Cognitive skills that demonstrate the ability to critically appraise and interpret the range of complex factors that contribute to offending behaviour, both at a general and individual level.
- Apply technical skills to identify and evaluate evidence that helps inform creative problem-solving and decision-making in the nursing role.
- Communicate complex ideas in a coherent and informative manner with clients, carers and other health professionals.
- Adapt advanced knowledge and skills to the contexts of forensic mental health nursing, such as correctional or mental health settings.
- Utilise a wide range of knowledge and skills to independently develop, plan and implement responses to challenging issues faced by forensic mental health nurses.
- Employ advanced knowledge of psychopathology and offending behaviour to develop and deliver more effective treatment to clients in forensic mental health settings.
Career outcomes
Possible career role includes:
- Forensic mental health nurse
- Nurse in a prison setting
- Nurse in a court setting
- General mental health nurse
Fees and FEE-HELP
Domestic full-fee paying prices
- Indicative tuition fee per 12.5-credit-point unit in 2027: $5,050
- Published yearly tuition fee in 2027: $40,400
- Indicative total course fee in 2027: $40,400
Eligible domestic students may access FEE-HELP to defer all or part of their tuition fees.
The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) may apply and is not included in the indicative tuition fees.
Tuition fees are subject to annual review and may change.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.