Master of Psychology (Forensic)

at University of New South Wales

Program structure

Stage 1: Core courses

• Applications of Forensic Psychology

• Professional and Ethical Practice (Forensic) 1

• Professional and Ethical Practice (Forensic) 2

• Professional and Ethical Practice (Forensic) 3

• Assessment in Forensic Psychology

• Forensic Interventions 1

• Forensic Interventions 2

• Law for Psychologists 1 or Law for Psychologists 2

Stage 2: Core courses

• Experimental Psychology and Law

• Professional and Ethical Practice (Forensic) 4

• Professional and Ethical Practice (Forensic) 5

• Professional and Ethical Practice (Forensic) 6

• Research Thesis (Forensic) 1

• Research Thesis (Forensic) 2

• Research Thesis (Forensic) 3

• Law for Psychologists 1 or Law for Psychologists 2

Professional practice

For this component, you’ll complete a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours. Over the course of the program, you’ll need to complete at least three placements. Placements are completed across various settings both internally and externally.

• Internal: UNSW Forensic Psychology Clinic (UFPC) (formerly the Wentworth Forensic Clinic)

• External: Forensic agencies and organisations

Research thesis

Your empirical project can be carried out in any area relevant to forensic psychology. The data may be collected in a forensic setting or be concerned with how people within the general population respond to issues of a forensic nature. Research into basic psychological processes (e.g., conceptual development, attitude change, social decision-making) is appropriate, provided the forensic significance of the research is clearly indicated. Other thesis topics may address forensic program evaluation, innovative approaches to forensic investigation, individual assessment, policy formulation and strategies for interviewing and counselling.

The minimum academic eligibility requirement is completion of a four-year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology, including a major research thesis/project, with Upper-Second Class Honours (75%), or international equivalent. Qualifications must have been completed within the last 10 years (exceptions may be possible in limited circumstances).

Psychology qualifications from overseas must include a major research thesis/project and must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as equivalent to a four-year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology completed in Australia. Please note you must have your qualification assessed before you apply.

As the number of places available each year is limited, entry into the program is competitive. Selection is based on academic qualifications, two referee reports and performance at an assessment centre. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend the assessment centre, which must be attended in person at UNSW (Kensington campus). Although work experience is not an admission requirement, applicants with a history of employment will be positively regarded, even if the employment is not necessarily clinically or forensically relevant.

English language requirements

Applicants must:

• demonstrate their competency in speaking and communicating in English is sufficient to practise the psychology profession

• satisfy both UNSW's English language requirements and those required by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

All applicants, domestic and international, are encouraged to use AHPRA’s Pathways diagram for all professions (under ‘Additional resources’) to guide their understanding of AHPRA’s requirements

Indicative First Year Fee

AU $46,510

Future careers

Psychology is an ideal career path for people who enjoy working with and caring for others. At UNSW Science, our graduates demonstrate skills in assessment, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems at an individual and organisational level.

There’s increasing demand from legal, investigative, corrective and policy agencies across Australia to obtain psychological expertise to aid understanding and management of forensic issues. Forensic psychologists work in a wide range of settings, including: 

• prisons 

• courts

• probation and parole 

• child protection 

• juvenile justice 

• insurance 

• mediation 

• private practice 

• public policy 

• legislative review.