General information

Overview

From investigating criminal behaviour to understanding courtroom dynamics, Swinburne’s Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science equips you with in-depth knowledge and practical research skills tailored to real-world experiences. 

You'll gain specialised insight into areas such as developmental psychology, cognition and neuroscience, social psychology, personality, psychological assessment, and mental health disorders.  

Study structure

Successful completion of the  Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY10007
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
FOR10001
Fundamentals of Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY10008
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit , 12.5 credit points , Psychology majors only
PSY10005
Policing: Systems and Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
CRI20001
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
FOR30001
Corrections: Systems and Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
CRI30002
Major units
Developmental Psychology
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY20007
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
STA20006
Cognition and Human Performance
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY20006
Social Psychology
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY20016
Psychology Project
Major unit , 12.5 credit points , Psychology majors only
PSY30003
Psychology of Personality
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY30008
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY30013
Mental Health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
PSY30016
Units of study Unit code
Developmental Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20007
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20006
Cognition and Human Performance
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20006
Social Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20016
Psychology Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points, Psychology majors only
PSY30003
Psychology of Personality
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30008
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30013
Mental Health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30016

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however, they will be shown on your transcript of results.

  • Criminology and Social Change
  • Human Resource Management
View co-major units

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

  • Mental Health Advanced
  • Applied Psychology
  • Sociology Minor
  • Ethics and Technology
View minor units

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

  • Future Work Skills
  • Fundamentals of Criminology
  • Global Crime
  • Youth Justice and Crime
  • Communicating with AI
  • Cyber Crime and Security
  • Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood
  • Dimensions of Human Sexuality
  • Human Factors Psychology
  • Applied Social Psychology
  • Theories of Couselling
  • Psychology of Health
  • Psychology of Trauma
  • Positive Psychology
Find more detail about elective units

Outcomes and course rules

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to : 

  • Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in psychology and forensic specialisations 
  •  Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and which incorporate relevant theories and evidence in psychology and forensic specialisations 
  • Critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in both general psychology and forensic psychology 
  • Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in both general psychology and forensic psychology
  • Apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
  • Interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
  • Apply psychological concepts, theories, and methods in a science-informed and ethical manner, employing cultural awareness and respect for individual diversity including culturally safe practices and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.

Career opportunities

Future career options for graduates of this degree include Welfare Support Worker (case manager, parole/probation officer, residential care officer, disability services officer, child and family practitioner), Counsellor (drug and alcohol, rehabilitation), Diversional Therapist (forensic health and disability, youth services, residential care), as well as a variety of roles in protective services and community health. Graduates of this degree are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) which is the next step in the pathway towards registration as a psychologist.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • Eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
  • Eight [8] units of study in the Psychology Major (100 credit points)
  • Eight [8] units of other studies (100 credit points) comprising of major, minor/s or electives

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Professional placements

The Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is a step on the path to becoming a registered psychologist.

Volume of learning

The Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science consists of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points.

A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science is typically 3 years.

For students who complete a Professional Placement, the Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science consists of 325-375 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points with placement units carrying 25 credit points each.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science with a 6 month placement is typically 3.5 years. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science with a 12 month placement is typically 4 years

Professional placements

Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • Eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
  • Eight [8] units of study in the Psychology Major (100 credit points)
  • Four [4] units of study of the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)
  • Six [6] units of other studies (75 credit points) comprising electives or minors

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 325 credit points comprising:

  • Eight [8] core units (100 credit points)
  • Eight [8] units of study in the Psychology Major (100 credit points)
  • Two [2] units of study of the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points)
  • Six [6] units of other studies (75 credit points) comprising electives or minors

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence in Business is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Bachelor of Forensic Psychological Science?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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