Doctor of Psychology (Forensic)
Course summary for international students
“Obtaining a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology from Deakin will allow me the professional recognition that other degrees cannot.”
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Doctor of Psychology (Forensic) |
|---|---|
| Campus | Offered at Melbourne Burwood Campus |
| Length | 3 years full time |
| Next available intake | March (Trimester 1) |
| Level | Higher Degree Research |
| CRICOS course code | 040945G |
| IELTS Requirement | Overall IELTS score of 7.0, with 7.0 in all bands. More information is available at www.ielts.org |
| Deakin course code | H952 |
| Faculty contacts | Deakin International Tel +61 3 9627 4877 Online enquiry |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Entry requirements - general
- How to apply
Course overview
The Doctor of Psychology (Forensic) aims to provide those who have completed a recognised four year psychology sequence/degree with the opportunity to obtain professional training in forensic psychology and develop the academic, practical and research skills required to register and practise as a forensic psychologist.
Throughout the course you will undertake a range of core units which are divided across coursework, placement and thesis requirements. Coursework includes units on applied methodology, interview and intervention skills, assessment and treatment of forensic clients, psychology and the law, psychopathology, and children and the legal system. You will have at least 200 days practical experience with forensic clinicians in four or more agencies and undertake supervised client work as appropriate. You will also have the opportunity to design, conduct and present a major thesis that reports the results of original research. This thesis is externally examined and is expected to reflect the program's status as a research degree. In addition to the coursework, placement and research components of the program, you will complete a professional portfolio, which is examined externally and based on cases from their placement work.
Throughout the course you will develop:
- specialist knowledge of forensic psychology as well as the general knowledge and skills required by psychological practitioners
- specialist knowledge of psychology and the law and assessment and treatment of offenders and victims
- knowledge and competence in the theory and practice of psychological assessment
- knowledge and awareness of the ethical principles of psychological practice, with particular relation to the practice of forensic psychology
- experience of the practice of forensic psychology within a range of forensic settings
- advanced levels of competence in the design and conduct of research in the area of child or family forensic psychology
- an appreciation of the multidisciplinary practice of psychology through cooperation with professionals from other related disciplines during practicum placements.
You will also gain advanced knowledge and practical experience in the assessment and treatment of children and their families within a forensic setting.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and meets the requirements for graduates to register as generalist psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia, and for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Graduates will be eligible to apply for membership of the College of Forensic Psychologists and endorsement as a Forensic Psychologist following one year of work experience supervised by a forensic psychologist, together with completion of stipulated professional development requirements.
Fees and charges
Fee paying place - International (IFP)A Fee paying place is one for which the University does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fees for international students apply to persons living in Australia with Temporary Resident status, provided that there is no limitation on study and persons living abroad who are not Australian citizens and do not have Permanent Resident status in Australia.
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2013, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2013 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
Forensic psychology is the branch of psychology that interfaces with the legal and criminal justice systems, such that their work often encompasses the provision of expert psychological evidence in courts and other tribunals, consultation to areas of the legal and justice system, and the development and delivery of research and clinical services to forensic populations.
As a forensic psychologist you may work in criminal, civil and family legal contexts and provide services for litigants, perpetrators, victims, and personnel of government and community organisations. You may be employed in a variety of areas, including mental health, corrections, child protection, family and rehabilitation services, treatment of substance abuse disorders, assessment and treatment of offenders and psychotherapy for victims of crime.
Course rules
The doctorate course consists of 24 credit points of work covering three interrelated strands: theory, research and practice.Course structure
Level 1
Trimester 1
| HPS914 | Studies in Psychopathology |
| HPS977 | Interview and Intervention Strategies |
| HPS978 | Biological and Neuropsychological Perspectives on Disorder |
| HPS979 | Psychological Assessment |
Trimester 2
| HPS924 | Research Thesis A |
| HPS934 | Psychology and the Law |
| HPS948 | Forensic Placement 1 and Case Analysis Seminar 1 |
| HPS976 | Issues in Professional Psychology |
Level 2
Trimester 1
| HPS907 | Advanced and Applied Research Methods |
| HPS932 | Forensic Placement 2 |
| HPS933 | Assessment and Treatment of Forensic Clients |
| HPS925 | Research Thesis B |
Trimester 2
| HPS926 | Research Thesis C |
| HPS935 | Forensic Placement 3 |
| HPS936 | Psychosocial Issues in Forensic Psychology and Case Analysis Seminar 2 |
Level 3
Trimester 1
| HPS927 | Research Thesis D |
| HPS943 | Child and Family Forensic Placement 1 and Case Conference Seminar A |
| HPS944 | Children and the Law |
Trimester 2
| HPS928 | Research Thesis E |
| HPS945 | Child and Family Forensic Placement 2 and Case Conference Seminar B |
Note: All coursework units have a hurdle requirement of 80% attendance. A pass grade in a unit requires satisfactory completion of each component assessed.
Placement program
Your placement program will be worked out jointly by you, the placement coordinator and the practitioners supervising the placements. Forensic placements are tailored to your interests, skills and career aspirations and are designed to provide you with a range of professional skills, and to develop your awareness of ethical and professional issues. It is desirable that you gain experience with a range of client groups in a variety of organisational and correctional settings. Contracts will be drawn up that will clearly specify the skills to be mastered, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of the placement supervisor. Placement supervisors are registered psychologists, eligible for membership of the College of Forensic Psychologists. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed and failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.
Entry requirements - general
The minimum qualification for admission as a candidate for a degree of doctor is a degree of bachelor with honours or a degree of master with a substantial research component, from a recognised tertiary institution, in a field relevant to the program which the applicant proposes to undertake and for which the University can provide the required supervisory expertise.How to apply
- Applicant Portal: Use our online application system to submit and track your application now OR
- Apply through a Deakin International office: Fill out an application form and submit it to a Deakin International office OR
- Apply through a Deakin representative: Take your application form to your preferred agent for assistance.
Tracking your application
If you have already applied and wish to enquire about your application please refer to the relevant area through which you originally applied.
- If you applied through a Deakin representative please contact your representative.
- If you applied through a Deakin International office please contact deakin-int-admissions@deakin.edu.au
