Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health
PostgraduateGRF-FMH-GCE2025
Become a recognised forensic mental health specialist
Gain a broad knowledge of forensic mental health and its overlap with the criminal justice system and mental health services. For psychologists, social workers, nurses and psychiatrists to be able to practice at an advanced level.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 29 June 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health
About this degree
Knowledge
Graduates of this Graduate Certificate will have broad knowledge of forensic mental health and its overlap with the criminal justice system and mental health services.Skills
Graduates of this Graduate Certificate will have:- cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise a professional understanding of forensic mental health.
- cognitive skills to think critically about and to evaluate contemporary concepts of forensic mental health.
- technical skills in the risk assessment and management of forensic mental health clients.
- communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of foundational forensic mental health theory
- communication skills to transfer professional understanding and ideas about evidence-based policy to stakeholders in the forensic mental health field.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
Graduates of this Graduate Certificate will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:- to make high level, independent judgements in the conceptualisation, functional analyses and management planning for case examples of forensic mental health clients.
- to initiate, plan, implement and evaluate risk assessment policies using case examples of forensic mental health clients.
- possess responsibility and accountability for executing all aspects of assessment tasks and substantively contribute to in class discussions within in-class or online learning environments.
This degree is delivered in collaboration with Queensland Health's Forensic Mental Health Service to provide students with a broad knowledge base of forensic mental health. The target audience for this program are those with little professional knowledge of forensic mental health. Students will leave the program with a broad understanding of research-based knowledge in forensic mental health and how it is applied in practice.
Recommended study pattern
Students can complete their four subjects in any order.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health students must complete four subjects.
The maximum period for completing this program is 2 years.
For more information, please contact oua-services@griffith.edu.au
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
When you have completed your final session of study, OUA students should notify Griffith University of their intention to graduate with the award of Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health. Please contact Griffith (OUA) Services on oua-services@griffith.edu.au
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
Changes in 2020:
The core subject: CCJ712 - Ethics and Accountability in FHM has been replaced with CCJ713 - Mental Disorder and Crime.
Students who have completed CCJ712 do not need to complete CCJ713.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $11,750
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
A recognised undergraduate degree from a recognised tertiary institution.
In selected circumstances, applicants without a recognised undergraduate degree may apply for entry based on their work experience in a forensic mental health related field. In these circumstances, the applicant must supply evidence of relevant professional registration or vocational experience in a forensic mental health related field. Such applicants, who will normally have worked relevant positions for a minimum of five years, will be required to provide references from their employers supporting their application for admission and attesting to their ability to complete the program. In these cases, the Program Convenor will make the final decision and must be satisfied as to the applicant's ability to complete such a course of study.
Griffith University may award credit for prior learning. Students can apply to gain credit for prior learning at the postgraduate level by lodging a credit transfer application form. For further information and a copy of the form, please contact Griffith University.
Career opportunities
Professional recognition
As a graduate, you will be a qualified and professionally recognised forensic mental health specialist, and be able to practise the profession at an advanced level.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologists and Psychotherapists | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
| Social Workers | $75K to $93K | Up 29.8% |
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
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Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
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You can enrol without entry requirements
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You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
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How do I enrol?
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When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
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If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.