Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is the only double degree of its kind in Victoria. Offering the unique combination of an accredited law degree with a specialised education in the causes of crime (Criminology) and the fallout of crime (Criminal Justice), this course arms you with the advanced skills to solve complex legal problems in an increasingly complex society.

Learning outcomes

The objective of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology double degree is to bring together two of Swinburne’s existing degrees, the Bachelor of Laws, with the newly established Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology. The combination creates an impressive course that offers a multidisciplinary education and addresses the gap between demand and availability for double degrees of a high calibre. The pairing of law with existing degrees across different disciplines has the potential to increase the overall merit of the courses and in turn, the reputation of the University. 

The introduction of this double degree additionally has the potential to increase the number of enrolments at Swinburne and in turn, further contribute to the current growth and development of the university. This is due to the multidisciplinary nature of the course having the ability to attract a wider range of students as it caters to individuals who hold multiple areas of interest. It also presents a specialisation opportunity for law students who intend to practice in the field of criminal law or the criminal justice system.

The incorporation of these two popular areas of study will contribute towards stronger connections with industry and the community through enhanced commercialisation capability, connections with major law firms, and pro-bono work for non-profit organisations. In conjunction with the strong level of theoretical education, students will undertake a Practical Skills Program throughout this degree, resulting in graduates that are industry ready, adaptable and able to manage change, and consequently, highly attractive to potential employers.

Career opportunities

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Laws, students will be able to:

• describe and demonstrate the application of the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system and of the principles and doctrines that underpin them
• describe and demonstrate the application of ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of the law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• describe and compare the international legal order and the law and legal systems of Australia’s major trading partners
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
• communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development.
   

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, students will be able to:

• describe the nature of criminal activity and evaluate the main causes of crime 
• Systematically review and undertake research to evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community
• Reflect critically on diverse experiences and impacts of the criminal justice system and its processes, with a focus on the impacts of the system on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations
• investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime

• Effectively and persuasively communicate with legal and non-legal audiences

• Analyse information from a variety of sources to investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime
• Evaluate technological and other scientific approaches to reducing crime and dealing with the consequences of crime.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board.

Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away.

All Laws graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training prior to applying for admission to practice as a lawyer. Swinburne offers the opportunity to complete this PLT at the same time as completing your Bachelor of Laws via the Leo Cussen Centre for Law Swinburne Program.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, students must complete 500 Credit Points comprising: 

• 20 Core Law Units (250 credit points)
• 14 Core Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points)
• 4 Law Electives (50 credit points)
• 3 Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points) *
• 2 units of other study comprising of two electives (25 credit points)

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 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.

Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 575 credit points comprising:

• 20 Core Law Units (237.5 credit points)
• 14 Core Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points)
• 4 Law Electives (50 credit points)
• 4   units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 537.5 credit points comprising:

• 20 Core Law Units (237.5 credit points)14 Core Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points)
• 14 Core Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points
• 4 Law Electives (50 credit points)
• 1 elective unit of study (12.5 credit points)

* If student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Students complete no more than 200 credit points (16 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1 - eg: LAW1XXXX). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.

Maximum Academic Credit

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

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.