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Graduate Program in Forensic Behavioural Science

Forensic Behavioural Science is an emerging field of discourse at the interface of human services and criminal justice systems, which draws on a range of disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, criminology, law, social work and ethics.

The Graduate Program in Forensic Behavioural Science has been developed to enhance the knowledge and skills of a broad range of professionals working with people displaying antisocial and criminal behaviour. The program addresses both assessment and management issues. It assists professionals to incorporate 'best practice' principles into their daily work practices.

The program has been established by Australasia's two leading forensic mental health experts: James Ogloff (Foundation Professor of Clinical Forensic Psychology at Monash University and Director of Psychological Services at Forensicare) and Paul Mullen (Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at Monash University and Clinical Director at Forensicare). The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma Programs are coordinated by Dr Andrew Carroll, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychiatry and Dr Stuart Thomas, Forensic Epidemiologist and Senior Lecturer in Forensic Behavioural Science.

Program content has been developed, and is delivered, by experts in the field from a range of disciplines, including forensic psychiatry, psychology, nursing, bioethics and law. All contributors have clinical as well as well as academic responsibilities. Hence the course content is both empirically grounded and relevant to real-world workplace challenges.

The program aims to produce students who:

  • adopt effective and strategic approaches to work both within and across service systems
  • appreciate the ethical and legal dimensions of their work and apply this to their professional practice
  • have a thorough understanding of contemporary risk assessment and management practices, including clinical and medicolegal aspects
  • have current and sound knowledge, based on multidisciplinary research, about the aetiology, maintenance and management of antisocial and offending behaviours

A program with broad appeal, to enhance professional skills and foster interdisciplinary understanding

The Program is of relevance to a broad range of professionals, including:

  • Case managers
  • Therapeutic program managers
  • Nurses
  • Psychiatrists and other medical practitioners
  • Psychologists
  • Social workers
  • Occupational therapists
  • Psychiatric rehabilitation workers
  • Police officers
  • Corrections officers
  • Child protection workers
  • Juvenile justice workers
  • Policy and program developers

The wide variety of students who enrol is a unique strength of the program: it facilitates the understanding of perspectives of fellow professionals from diverse professional backgrounds when dealing with complex problems.

Admission requirements

Minimum admission requirements are:

  • a three year Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and
  • one year of postgraduate study in a relevant field or at least one year of relevant work experience

Flexible content, tailored to your interests and needs

Students have a range of options from which to select.

Individual Study Units: each unit is a self-sufficient whole and can be studied as a single module (each unit is worth 6 credit points). This may be useful to those who have an interest in specific areas, or who wish to combine studies in forensic behavioural science with other academic study.

Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science: a Monash University award course, comprising four study units (24 credit points in total).

Graduate Diploma in Forensic Behavioural Science: a Monash University award course, comprising eight study units (48 credit points in total).

Tailored to the needs of busy professionals

All units of the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are delivered in the off-campus learning (OCL) (distance education) format, supplemented by an intensive workshop component held at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, close to Melbourne CBD.

Students will receive:

  • a comprehensive package of high-quality printed materials tailored to the unit
  • access to an online teaching platform (Monash University Studies Online), which facilitates access to further relevant learning resources
  • access to Monash University IT (including email) , Learning Skills and library student facilities
  • ongoing assistance and feedback from unit coordinator throughout the semester
  • entry to the workshop, which comprises seminars given by leading experts, and student-led discussion groups. The workshops facilitate the cross-disciplinary learning which is integral to the philosophy of the program

Students can study at their own pace: up to two units may be studied on a part-time basis per semester and there is some capacity to take breaks in study.

Course content

The units currently comprising the program are:

FBS9001: Fundamentals of Forensic Behavioural Science
FBS9002: The Role of Mental Health in Criminal Offending
FBS9003: Mental Health and the Correctional System
FBS9004: Developmental Aspects of Forensic Behavioural Science
FBS9005: Assessment and Management of Problem Behaviours
FBS9006: Advanced Risk Assessment and Management
FBS9007: Personality Disorder in the Forensic Context
FBS9009: Psychiatric nursing in the Forensic Context

Each unit comprises six (6) credit points.

Further information on each unit is provided below.

Course structure

In order to obtain either the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, students must take both of the core units:

  • Fundamentals of Forensic Behavioural Science (FBS9001) and
  • The Role of Mental Health in Criminal Offending (FBS9002)

plus

  • Two elective units for the Graduate Certificate or
  • Six elective units for the Graduate Diploma

Students wishing to study the Graduate Diploma are encouraged to study the elective unit on applied research CRH1032 (see below).

The University Education Policy requires each six-credit point unit to have a workload of twelve (12) hours per week. As the programs' units are taught by off-campus learning, private study will comprise a majority of the allocated time. Private study will include self-motivated reading of the individual sessions, exploring available resources (readings, journal articles), researching topics and preparation of assignments. There is a mandatory workshop requirement where students participate in group discussions, present to peers and attend seminars presented by experts in the field.

Fees

For 2009, the cost per unit (6 credit points) studied will be $1825 for domestic students. Information on financial assistance is available through Fee Help.

From 2009, persons from countries other than Australia will be eligible to enrol as Off-Campus students, subject to visa requirements.

Application Process

Step 1: Applicants are to obtain a copy of the FBS Application Form (doc 790 kB , pdf 170 kB) or by contacting fbs.inquiries@med.monash.edu.au or calling 03 9903 2475.

Step 2: Applicants are to complete the application form and ensure the relevant requested documentation (original academic transcripts or certified copies of transcripts, evidence of Australian or New Zealand citizenship if applicable copy of birth certificate, passport or Australian citizenship certificate or residency status) is attached.
NB: Applicants must indicate on the Application form their preferred unit selections for the next two semesters. This information may be written on the front of the form or in the field provided for the Personal Statement. Information on the units available and the semester they are available in can be found here.

Step 3: Return the completed Application form and attached documentation via mail to:

Administrative Officer
Graduate Program in Forensic Behavioural Science
School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine
Monash University
PO Box 197
Caulfield East
VIC 3145
T: 03 9903 2475
Email: fbs.inquiries@med.monash.edu.au

NB: Applicants must include reliable and up to date contact information.

Step 4: Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer that outlines the enrolment process in more detail. Applicants will be required to self-enrol via the Monash University Web Enrolment System and return a Student ID Card request to the address and by the date specified in the Letter of Offer.

Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted once the selection process has been completed.

Step 5: Once a student has been successfully enrolled they will receive the relevant unit materials in hardcopy via mail before the beginning of the course. Please note that it is vital unit selections are communicated to the Administrative Officer as outlined in Step 2 in order to ensure the delivery of unit materials before the beginning of semester.

For an informal discussion on whether the program will meet your needs, please contact Dr. Andrew Carroll (Andrew.Carroll@med.monash.edu.au) or Dr. Stuart Thomas (Stuart.Thomas@med.monash.edu.au), the Program Coordinators.

Unit descriptions

FBS9001: Fundamentals of Forensic Behavioural Science

This unit aims to equip professionals with a broad-based understanding of basic ethical, legal and criminological principles. The unit then builds on this knowledge by examining key areas involving the interaction between mental health and the law, and examining the role of the 'expert witness'.
On completion of this unit, it is expected the student will be able to:

  • Understand the workings and principles of the criminal justice and legal systems
  • Describe various key criminological theories
  • Understand the context of mental health care in forensic settings
  • Outline the scope and functions of forensic mental health services
  • Discuss the ethical challenges inherent in working in forensic settings, and consider various frameworks which have been suggested for dealing with these

Sessions:

  • Ethical challenges in forensic mental health+
  • Basics of criminology
  • The criminal justice system
  • Mental health and the law: competence and capacity; civil commitment; mental disorder and criminal responsibility; forensic mental health services
  • Working as an expert witness

To be offered: Semester One 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr. Stuart Thomas (Stuart.Thomas@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9002: The Role of Mental Health in Criminal Offending

The unit will provide students with an understanding of the role of mental health in criminal offending, including an overview of the relevant research (drawn from psychological, psychiatric, criminological and sociological studies) and the implications of this. Different types of mental disorders (psychotic illnesses, affective illnesses, personality disorders and substance misuse) associated with offending are considered. Explanatory models which incorporate the role of symptoms, cognitions, biological and sociological factors are discussed.
On completion of this unit, it is expected the student will be able to:

  • Critically evaluate the evidence for an association between mental disorder and criminal offending
  • Outline various possible explanations for the association between mental disorder and criminal offending
  • Understand the concepts of 'psychopathy', 'antisocial personality disorder' and 'severe personality disorder' and their relevance to offending and rehabilitation
  • Understand the evidence-based principles for effective rehabilitation of offenders
  • Understand the role of addictions including substance abuse and pathological gambling as risk factors for offending
  • Outline methods for assessment and treatment of addictions

Sessions:

  • Mental disorder and violence
  • Risk assessment and risk management
  • Rehabilitating offenders
  • Psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder
  • Addictions and offending

To be offered: Semester One 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr. Andrew Carroll (Andrew.Carroll@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9003: Mental Health and the Correctional System

This unit is designed to assist professionals working within both Correctional Services and Mental Health Services to develop ways of more effectively working at the interface of these two systems. It will equip professionals with a deeper understanding of the role of mental health clinicians and the clinical and ethical challenges associated with working within the correctional system.

On completion of this unit, it is expected the student will be able to:

  • Discuss various theories relating to the purpose and role of imprisonment
  • Deal in a balanced and informed way with the special challenges of assessing and managing mental health issues in correctional settings
  • Understand the specific mental health needs of minority populations in the criminal justice system
  • Describe appropriate systemic and clinical responses to the challenge of self harming behaviours in custody

Sessions:

  • Introduction to penology: theories and practicalities of punishment
  • Mental health assessment in custodial settings
  • Clinical challenges in correctional mental health
  • Suicide and self-harm in custody
  • Mental health and rehabilitative needs of diverse populations in custodial settings

To be offered: Semester Two 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr. Stuart Thomas (Stuart.Thomas@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9004: Developmental aspects of forensic behavioural science

This unit provides a developmental context for understanding a range of issues which characterize 'at risk behaviour' in youth. Students will gain a broader understanding of these behaviours, as seen from a range of perspectives: legal, epidemiological, psychological, sociological and psychiatric. The unit will be of interest to those currently working with 'at risk youth' and to those working with adults, since it provides insights into the aetiology of a range of maladaptive behaviours encountered in adult populations.

On completion of this unit, it is expected the student will be able to:

  • Understand the interface between children and the legal system
  • Discuss the basic principles of assessment and management of risk in childhood and adolescence
  • Describe critically the evidence relating to long term consequences of adverse experiences in childhood and adolescence
  • Outline a developmentally appropriate decision making process

Sessions:

  • Criminal responsibility in children and
  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Anti social conduct in childhood and adolescence
  • Mental health and substance use in the young offender population
  • Sexual behaviour and offending in adolescence
  • Assessment of risk in adolescent offenders

To be offered: Semester One 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr. Teresa Flower (Teresa.Flower@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9005: Assessment and Management of Problem Behaviours

This unit is designed to provide students with skills in understanding the aetiology and management of commonly occurring antisocial 'problem behaviours': violence; stalking; uttering threats; sexual offending; fire-setting; and abnormal complaining. A framework, based on principles derived from both psychological and criminological theory, for understanding such behaviours is presented, and then applied to each specific behaviour in turn. The role of mental disorder in the genesis of such behaviours is considered, but within a broader context, which incorporates the multiple psychological and social factors involved. In this way, the student will not only gain a theoretical understanding of such behaviours, but also develop a pragmatic model for working with a broad range of perpetrators in an ethical and evidence-based fashion.

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  • Adopt a structured evidence-based approach to common problematic antisocial behaviours, which incorporates both personal and situationally-based variables
  • Devise comprehensive formulations of persons displaying such problem behaviours
  • Describe the epidemiology, social impacts, common perpetrator characteristics and high-risk situational contexts for the commission of common problem behaviours (stalking; uttering threats; abnormal complaining; fire-setting; sexual offending; violence)
  • Outline the key principles involved in managing such behaviours, including cognitive-behavioural, psychiatric and legal approaches
  • Understand the role of mental disorders in the aetiology of common problem behaviours
  • Appreciate the broader societal factors involved in the commission of such behaviours and, conversely, the impact of such behaviours on public safety and well-being

Sessions:

  • Understanding problem behaviours
  • Stalking
  • Uttering threats
  • Abnormal complaining
  • Firesetting
  • Sexual offending
  • Violence

To be offered: Semester One 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr.. Michael Daffern (Michael.Daffern@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9006: Advanced Risk Assessment and Management

This unit provides students with a conceptual framework for the assessment and management of risk. Key theoretical and systematic principles are emphasized, so that the knowledge obtained will be applicable to a broad range of professional backgrounds. The unit will familiarise students with the key theoretical and basic statistical concepts involved in assessing and managing risk, with special reference to human services and criminal justice systems. It will encourage an ethical, effective systemic approach to risk management and quality assurance. Common concerns such as medico-legal liability, defensible decision making documentation and information sharing will be covered.

On completion of this unit, it is expected the student will be able to:

  • Understand key theoretical and basic statistical concepts involved in risk assessment and outcome monitoring
  • Utilise a systemic approach to the assessment and management of risk in their daily practice
  • Describe contemporary approaches to systemic 'error' management, including the basics of 'root cause analysis'
  • Apply knowledge derived from coronial and other post-incident enquiries to their own professional practice
  • Understand the potential sources of human error and how these may be minimized to optimise outcomes
  • Understand the principles behind legal liability for negligence and hence minimise the risk of litigation in their own practice
  • Describe contemporary evidence-based risk management approaches to: aggression; suicide; and client disengagement (noncompliance)

Sessions:

  • Understanding risk
  • Assessing risk of violence in the mentally disordered
  • Assessing risk of suicide
  • Managing risk of aggression
  • Managing disengagement

To be offered: Semester Two 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr. Andrew Carroll (Andrew.Carroll@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9007: Personality Disorder in the Forensic Context

This unit provides students with an understanding of the aetiology and management of personality disorders prevalent in the forensic context. A framework (based on principles derived from psychological, psychiatric, sociological and criminological theory) for understanding personality disorder is presented and then applied to each specific personality disorder: antisocial, psychopathic, narcissistic, borderline, paranoid, and schizoid. The student will develop understanding of both the theoretical approaches to personality disorders, and evidence-based principles for working effectively with people with personality disorders in a forensic context.

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  • Describe the role of personality disorder in the aetiology of offending behaviour
  • Describe the impact of personality disorders on forensic services (at individual and systems levels) and the impact of the forensic system on those with a personality disorder
  • Outline the key treatment and management interventions in forensic contexts for those with personality disorders, including cognitive-behavioural, psychiatric and legal approaches
  • Adopt a structured evidence-based approach to working with people who have a personality disorder within a forensic context.

Sessions:

  • Conceptual issues: personality disorder and correctional and forensic mental health services
  • Psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder and correctional and forensic mental health services
  • Narcissistic personality disorder and correctional and forensic mental health services
  • Borderline personality disorder and correctional and forensic mental health services
  • Paranoid personality disorder and correctional and forensic mental health services

To be offered: Semester Two 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr.. Michael Daffern (Michael.Daffern@med.monash.edu.au)

 

FBS9009: Psychiatric nursing in the forensic context - Note: unit FBS9009 is only available to registered nurses

This unit will explore the history of forensic psychiatry, the social, political, legal, ethical and practice context of care for mentally disordered offenders. Clinical issues in forensic psychiatry and the needs of forensic mental health patients will be discussed. The knowledge and skills required by forensic mental health nurses to assess and care for mentally disordered offenders will be developed.

On completion of this unit the student will be able to:

  • Identify the factors (including historic, social, legal, medical, ethical) that shape forensic mental health care
  • Critically appraise the significant clinical nursing issues in forensic psychiatry
  • Distinguish the knowledge and skills required by psychiatric nurses in a variety of forensic settings
  • Apply specialist knowledge and skills in the assessment and care of mentally disordered offenders

Sessions:

  • Context of forensic mental health
  • The role of the forensic psychiatric nurse
  • Legal/ethical framework
  • Working in a criminal justice context
  • The nurse-patient relationship
  • Forensic psychiatric nursing assessment
  • Nursing intervention
  • Patient processes
  • Special populations
  • Managing challenging situations

To be offered: Semester Two 2009

Unit coordinator: Associate Professor Trish Martin (Trish.Martin@forensicare.vic.gov.au)

 

Elective Unit: CRH1032 Applied Research for Rural Health Practitioners

This elective unit has been approved by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to meet the needs of students of Forensic Behavioural Science. Notwithstanding the title, the material is generic in nature and not exclusively focused on rural health issues.

Designed to support in the preparation for the independent research project (minor thesis). It is aimed at teaching practical research skills. Students are taught how to translate their thoughts and interests into a sound research project by undertaking a critical review of the literature, developing a research proposal and preparing an ethics application.

Objectives

  • Communicate an understanding of the use of research as a basis for decision making in the health care policy and clinical arena, particularly in its application to rural practice and rural communities.
  • Undertake a critical analysis of the research literature in response to the proposed research question.
  • Develop a research proposal which explains the selection of appropriate research questions, designs and implementation plans within a rural health or community setting.
  • Prepare an ethics application which examines the ethical considerations, legislation and guidelines in promoting ethical conduct in research.

Sessions:

  • Selecting a topic
  • Literature review
  • Research proposal
  • Ethics

To be offered: Semester One and Semester Two 2009

Unit coordinator: Dr Eli Ristevski (Eli.Ristevski@med.monash.edu.au)