University of New South Wales
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Gain specialist knowledge in the clinical and legal aspects of law and forensic mental health. With the UNSW Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health, you’ll be trained in the theoretical and practical aspects of criminal, civil, child and family forensic mental health subspecialties.
Course overview
There is a rapidly growing need for a skilled workforce in forensic mental health in NSW and beyond. The criminal aspects of forensic mental health services are largely provided for by NSW Justice Health and the development of new facilities will require additional, suitably-qualified staff for the foreseeable future. Forensic psychiatry private practice provides further opportunities for practitioners.
The Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health offers you training in forensic mental health, covering the theoretical and practical aspects of criminal, civil, child and family forensic mental health sub-speciality. The program aims to provide specialised levels of expertise in the clinical and legal aspects of Law and Forensic Mental Health to an emerging skilled multidisciplinary workforce.
It draws upon the existing body of leading expertise in law, medicine and nursing and the rich clinical resources of the Justice Health Long Bay Matraville complex which includes the high secure Forensic Hospital. The program is entirely online, through video lectures, forums and activities.
This degree is designed for mental health professionals including medical practitioners, nurses, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. The program is also open for members of the legal profession, corrections, police and criminologists.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,750 (CSP)
What you will study
Students must complete 24 units of credit, comprising:
- Compulsory courses (12 units of credit)
- Prescribed elective courses (12 units of credit)
Each course is worth six units of credit.
Students must take 12 units of credit from the following courses:
- Law and Mental Health
- Psychiatry and Criminal Law
- Violence
- Forensic Mental Health Systems
Entry requirements
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
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations. This is why UNSW requires a minimum level of English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English Language Tests and University English Courses
- Prior Study in the Medium of English
- Other Qualifications
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page on UNSW's website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate effective communication skills, particularly written communication skills, vital to the professional and academic practice within the field of forensic mental health.
- Develop a foundational disciplinary knowledge and critical understanding of the research literature relevant to the professional and academic practice that underpins the field of forensic mental health.
- Develop a foundational disciplinary knowledge of professional practice in the field of forensic mental health based on acquisition of knowledge and skills relevant to such practice.
- Develop a foundational disciplinary knowledge and awareness of the role of a forensic mental health professional in the context of a field which is international and interdisciplinary; a field which involves the assessment and management of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and often suffering social disadvantage.
- Develop a foundational disciplinary knowledge and understanding of the impact of issues relevant to forensic mental health and the professional practitioner in the field, as well as society as a whole and the ethical implications of such practice.
Fees and CSP
Indicative CSP first-year fee and full fee to complete this degree in 2026: $7,000 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative first-year and full fee to complete this degree in 2026: $17,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 units of credit (normally four courses) per semester or year.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.
