Master of Social Work (Forensic Studies) from 2010

The Department of Social Work is pleased to announce the introduction of an exciting new postgraduate degree: the Master of Social Work (Forensic Studies) offered in conjunction with Monash University's Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science.

Forensic Social Work is an emerging field of practice for social work. Forensic behavioural science is at the interface of human services and social work employment in the fields of the mental health, child protection, mental health, dual diagnosis, disability and criminal justice, increasingly requires this knowledge and expertise to both better respond to client needs and improve career advancement.

This new degree targets these specific postgraduate social work needs and draws on a range of disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, criminology, law, social work and ethics to respond to real-world workplace challenges.

Entry requirements

Admission to the MSW (Forensic Studies) requires a four year degree in the social studies.

Course structure

The MSW (Forensic Studies) degree takes selected subjects from the Master of Social Work (Coursework) and selected subjects from the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science offered by Monash University's Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science. All units are delivered in an off-campus learning (distance education) format with internet-based teaching and communication. Each Forensic Behavioural Science subject has one workshop component; these workshops are held at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science (close to the Melbourne CBD).

The MSW (Forensic Studies) degree is offered part-time, over three semesters (one a half years) to make up 48 credit points.

Course content

Students select two subjects from the Master of Social Work (Coursework) subjects:

• Criminology and Social Work
• Social Work and Aged Care
• Child Abuse, Child Protection and the Child in Society
• Mental Health Practice

Students choose four subjects (two from each semester) from the Graduate Diploma of Forensic Behavioural Science subjects:

• Fundamentals of forensic behavioural science (compulsory)
• The role of mental health in criminal offending
• Mental health and the correctional system
• Advanced risk assessment and risk management
• Assessment and management of problem behaviours
• Personality disorder in the forensic context
• Developmental aspects of forensic behavioural science

Further information and application forms

Further information

Email: pat.sykes@med.monash.edu.au

Master of Social Work (Forensic Studies) application form