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This degree is delivered in collaboration with Queensland Health&#39;s Forensic Mental Health Service to provide postgraduate professional training for current or future forensic mental health practitioners, including nurses, psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists. It also provides an extension to undergraduate degrees in nursing, applied science, criminology and criminal justice, and applied psychology. The degree provides advanced training to enhance and develop specialist skills and knowledge to work more effectively with the forensic mental health population. You will gain a thorough understanding of research-based knowledge in forensic mental health and how it is applied in practice.

Become a highly valued forensic mental health specialist able to practise at an advanced level. Study assessment, legislation and policies, research and evaluation. Examine interventions with offenders, justice and crime, law and behaviour.

Master of Forensic Mental Health

Postgraduate studies in criminology and criminal justice provide a pathway to professional advancement for those working in these fields. The degrees are designed to provide an overview of criminological theory and research, the workings of the criminal justice system and allied organisations, insight into key policy debates and an understanding of research methods.
The degrees introduce social and psychological explanations of crime, as well as contemporary debates in criminological theory. Beyond the core elements of the degree in policing, community development, crime prevention, law and behaviour and social science research methods you will have the opportunity to study electives from criminal justice, research practice, policing, corrections and crime prevention.

Deepen your knowledge of the justice system and gain insight into key policy debates and contemporary research methods. Graduates find roles in criminal justice related fields such as crime prevention, community health and local government.

Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime

Crime and Mental Health

Risk Assessment and Management in Forensic Mental Health

Psychology and Policing

Psychology of Investigative and Legal Processes

Mental Disorder and Crime

Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour

Crime and Deviance

Understanding Victims and Offenders

Introduction to Psychology I

This subject will provide an introduction to psychology and law. The progression of lecture topics in this subject will roughly follow the course of an investigation and trial of a criminal case, covering issues such as eyewitness memory; false memories; police interviewing techniques; deception detection; and juror decisions. Throughout the subject, the focus will be on how psychological science can (a) help us understand various aspects of the legal system, and (b) help to improve important processes in policing and courtroom trials.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology concerns the application of psychology to the understanding and operation of legal and criminal justice systems. Theories and knowledge from a broad range of domains can be applied within forensic contexts. This subject of study demonstrates how knowledge from the domains of biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental health psychology have been successfully employed to address forensic questions and issues. Students are presented with an introduction to key areas of forensic psychology and major theories of crime are offered and evaluated. Societal constructions of criminality and the changing nature of criminality are examined. Psychological explanations of crime are applied to contemporary issues and appraised. Potential limitations of psychology within forensic settings are explored.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Untangle the ‘why’ behind crime by better understanding the perpetrators psyche. You’ll consider how elements such as biology, personality and mental health impact are at play. Get an introduction to forensic psychology and major theories of crime. 

Although associations between crime and mental illness have a long history, the relationship is complex and contentious. Problem areas include media representations and social constructions of violent offenders, methodological and conceptual inconsistencies, and limited appreciation of the heterogeneity of mental health issues. This subject of study aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the evidence concerning the crime-mental health relationship. Factors other than mental illness that may be associated with violence and general criminality are explored, as are ethical challenges relating to this area. Particular mental disorders most often linked with criminality are examined and the relevant evidence is evaluated. Based on the content of this subject of study, students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical challenges and provide recommendations for best practice for both empirical research and policy.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Delve into the complex relationship between crime and mental illness. Examine links between offending, violence, mental disorder, and substance abuse. Get critical with an evidence-based approach that separates media representations from actual research.

Previously named &quot;Psychology of Crime&quot;, this course is designed to complement Crime, Society and Culture. This subject addresses the question &quot;What is it about individuals and their experiences that produce criminal behaviour?&quot;. Psychologists are concerned with how an individual’s biological make-up, personality, upbringing, current circumstances and so forth produce criminal behaviour. The unit examines criminal behaviour in terms of nine theoretical perspectives: evolutionary theories, genetic theories, biobehavioural theories, psychodynamic theories, trait theories, behavioural theories, social learning theories, development theories, and environmental theories. The unit also examines the implications of these theories for three areas criminology: the functioning of the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and the rehabilitation of offenders.

Delve into scientific theories that explain why people become criminals. You’ll explore links between criminal behaviour and personality, upbringing, and more. Use this knowledge in crime prevention and offender rehabilitation.

The subject offers a broad overview of the major theories and approaches to the study of crime and deviance. It provides a survey of diverse and competing interpretations of criminal and deviant acts, the situations and contexts within which crime and deviance are defined and take place, and the explanations put forward for the causes and consequences of deviance in society. The subject encourages students to think critically and practically engage with the key questions and colourful issues that criminologists face, including why and how some behaviours and subcultures are regarded as deviant or criminal and others are not. Each theoretical perspective is vividly illustrated throughout the subject with contemporary applications in topical lectures and tutorials. For example, the subject may cover topics like youth crime and youth gangs, sex work and sexuality, crimes of the marginalised and the powerful, terrorism and counter-terrorism, as well as analysing the dynamic impact of stigma, moral panics and social control on individuals and society.

This course explores the intersections between law and psychology. Examine the role of psychology in criminal justice processes, focusing on policing and the court system. Cover a broad range of topics such as investigative psychology, deception, eyewitness research, expert evidence, and jury and judicial decision making. Please note that the course will at times cover topics which you may find disturbing. If you suspect that an aspect of the course will be emotionally challenging for you, please contact a member of the teaching team, who can direct you to appropriate support resources. UniSA Online’s 10-week short courses give you the flexibility to upskill in a certain area, stay current with developments in your field, diversify your knowledge, or even explore a new direction in your career – without having to commit to the time and cost of a full university degree.  Delivered 100% online, you’ll be able to study where and when it suits you. Access online academic and student support seven days a week, fit study around work and life commitments, view learning resources 24/7, and log in to the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device. This is a third-year course from UniSA Online’s Bachelor of Psychological Science and Sociology degree. Please note: you are responsible for completing any relevant prerequisite courses before enrolling in this course.Should your course have an exam it will be scheduled for Australian Central Standard Time or Australian Central Daylight Time, depending on the time of the year.

This subject was previously known as CCJ741.
Forensic mental health is an area of specialisation that involves the assessment and treatment of client&#39;s who are both mentally disordered and whose behaviour has led to or could possibly lead to offending. Forensic mental health as a field therefore represents the interface between community safety and client centred practice. The two key intervention targets in FMH are mental disorders and problem behaviours. This degree will address the first of these targets by providing students with knowledge of general mental health interventions and components of recovery/recovery processes. Students will also be provided with skills in the delivery of specific intervention strategies targeting the most common mental health presentations in FMH. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to practice the skill of treatment plan development and role play delivery of specific strategies.

Gain an overview of the role of mental health and offending in the forensic mental health client population. Examine and evaluate psychiatric interventions that are useful in a forensic mental health system. 

Interventions and Recovery in Forensic Mental Health (Clinical)

The subject considers the most widely accepted approaches, in Forensic Mental Health (FMH), to risk assessment. Subject content primarily focuses upon the prediction of an individual&#39;s likelihood of harming other or being harmed by others. Risk and protective factors are examined beyond that of a present based individual level to include an understanding of developmental and environmental factors. The utility and applicability of different risk assessment tools is also considered as a component of an effective functional analysis and more broadly risk management in Forensic Mental Health.

Research risk assessment approaches and evaluate their application. Gain the skills to articulate which tools and methods are appropriate for different situations. Learn how to use risk management strategies to inform decision your making.

It is conservatively estimated that 70% of forensic mental health (FMH) clients in Australia are males of functioning intelligence who have English as their preferred language and who align themselves with the dominant Australian culture. As they comprise such a large proportion of the FMH client group, the majority of resources and interventions are targeted towards them. This then means that there are a number of minority populations within FMH, who without our intentional investment and understanding would not receive effective assessment, intervention and management. This subject examines the special needs of these minority FMH groups, namely the specific needs of the elderly, adolescents, women, people with an intellectual disability, people of a different culture or language, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Assessment details will be advised at the beginning of the subject offering.

Delve into legal and ethical issues you’ll need to consider when working with people with special needs and minority groups. Appreciate the importance of inclusive practice, modified clinical applications, assessment and interventions with these groups.

Minority Populations in Forensic Mental Health

This subject considers the most widely accepted approaches, in forensic mental health (FMH), to risk assessment. Subject content primarily focuses upon the prediction of an individual&#39;s likelihood of harming others or being harmed by others. Risk and protective factors are examined beyond that of a present based individual level to include an understanding of developmental and environmental factors. The utility and applicability of different risk assessment tools is also considered as a component of an effective functional analysis and more broadly risk management in forensic mental health.
This subject will provide a practical understanding of how risk assessment and management is utilised within forensic mental health.  This will include a foundation of the key principles for evaluating risk assessment tools, management processes and professional writing in forensic mental health.  This subject will then build upon this foundation to provide students with an understanding of how these principles apply in the assessment and management of different offender populations (violent offending, sexual offending, stalking and juvenile).  Students will follow and apply their learning to a number of client case studies across these population groups.  They will follow these clients from interview, assessment through to the development of reports which will communicate recommendations for risk management.
Assessment details will be advised at the beginning of the subject offering.

Understand how risk assessment tools and management processes are applied to key offender populations. This subject focuses on the prediction of an individual's likelihood of being harmed or harming others due to developmental or environmental factors.

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