Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Define core structures, functions and stakeholders of the Australian criminal justice system, including policing, courts, corrections, forensic mental health, and community-based responses
• Analyse and differentiate between a wide range of interdisciplinary theories to explain crime, trends and the experiences of victims of crime
• Evaluate how social, legal, political and technological factors influence crime, shape public policy and inform criminal justice responses
• Critically assess how criminal justice policies, practices and decision-making impact diverse Australian populations, centring the perspectives and rights of people, including Indigenous Australians peoples, overrepresented in corrections

• Compare Australia’s approaches to crime prevention, law enforcement, corrections, rehabilitation and reintegration with international practices, considering effectiveness, ethics, and human rights implications

• Apply professional communication, problem-solving and research skills to engage with justice sector stakeholders
• Develop practical evidence-informed responses to contemporary crime and justice challenges

Career opportunities

The course prepares students to work in the areas of law enforcement, corrections, offender rehabilitation, victim support and government policy development. Career outcomes and possible destinations include: Police Officer Probation Officer Parole Officer Corrections Officer Intelligence or Crime Analyst Risk Analysis Investigator Victim Support Worker Government Policy Writer/Advisor Child Protection Youth Justice Research Officer Interpol ASIO A range of federal government departments.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice students must complete 300 credit points comprising:

• Eight [8] Core Units of Study (100cp)
• One [1] Online Core Unit (12.5cp)* for Swinburne Online students only
• Eight [8] Major Units of Study (100cp)
• Seven [7]* or Eight [8] Units of Other Study (87.5-100cp) comprising of a second Major, Co-Major, advanced Minor, Minor/s, and/or Electives

*Students studying through SOL complete one additional online Core Unit, 9 Core Units (112.5cp) in total. SOL students therefore only complete 7 Units (87.5cp) of Other Study.

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points [normally 12 units] at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

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

Professional placements

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 successful 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.
 

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 of study (100cp)
• Eight [8] Major units of study (100cp)
• Four [4] Units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100cp); and
• Six [6] Units of study (75cp) comprising an Advanced Minor/s Minor/s, and/or Electives
   

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

• Eight [8] Core units of study (100cp)
• Eight [8] Major units of study (100cp)
• Two [2] Units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (50cp); and
• Seven [7] Units of study (87.5cp) comprising an Advanced Minor/s Minor/s, and/or Electives  

Volume of learning

The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice consists of a total of 300 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cp). A standard annual full-time load comprises eight [8] units (100cp), and a standard annual part-time load comprises four [4] units (50cp). 

For students who complete a Professional Placement the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice consists of 337.5-375 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points, and a standard part-time load comprises 50 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice with a 6 month placement is typically 3.5 years. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice with a 12 month placement is typically 4 years.  

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).