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 Social Work degree or 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 Master of Mental Health Sciences 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.

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:

• SWM5120  Criminology and Social Work
• SWM5110  Advanced Casework Practice
• SWM5220  Longevity and Social Work
  
• SWM5250  Clinical Supervision
• SWM5160  The Child in Society: Promoting children's wellbeing & responding to child maltreatment
  
• SWM5241  Mental Health Practice

Students choose four subjects (two from each semester) from the Master of Mental Health Sciences subjects:

• FBS5001  Fundamentals of Forensic Behavioural Science (compulsory)
• FBS5002  The Role of Mental Health in Criminal Offending
• FBS5003  Mental health and the Correctional System
• FBS5004  Perspectives in developmental Mental Health
• FBS5005  Assessment and Management of Problem Behaviours
• FBS5006  Advanced Risk Assessment and Risk Management

Further information and application forms

Further information

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

Master of Social Work (Forensic Studies) application form