Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Swinburne Online - online delivery only
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is the only degree of its kind in Victoria. It examines both the causes of crime (criminology) and its fallout (criminal justice).
In this course, you’ll study local and global criminality, traditional approaches and responses to crime along with emerging trends and practices in the field.
You’ll also learn about the international dimensions of criminal justice as well as the technological advances impacting the sector, including predicting the commission of crime, detecting and stopping criminal behaviour and implementing effective criminal sanctions. You’ll also get professional learning experience as you complete a Capstone Project in your final year.
This degree gives you the knowledge and skills to work in a range of sectors and industries; including policing, corrections, courts, offender rehabilitation, victim support and government policy development.
Duration
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Intakes
Online (March, July, November) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
Study with Swinburne Online
With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
As a Swinburne law student you can choose to take part in a dual award program with Leo Cussen Centre for Law. This makes it possible to study your LLB at Swinburne while also completing Practical Legal Training (the Swinburne program) at Leo Cussen. Please note that this dual award is not available to those on international student visas.
This course is delivered through Swinburne Online. Swinburne Online delivers Swinburne University of Technology programs designed to meet the needs of those who are unable to undertake on-campus study. These programs have been specifically designed for online delivery and support.
The criminal justice industry is becoming increasingly complex. The knowledge and skill base required to effectively and efficiently discharge the large number of activities in this area, including policing and corrections, has increased considerably in recent years as a result of the growing sophistication of crime and developments in evidence-based solutions to criminality. The Victorian government has committed billions of dollars in the next few years to the creation of new employment opportunities in this industry.
The proposed program encompasses both criminology and criminal justice. The criminology aspects of the course focuses mainly on the causes of crime and attempts to consider solutions that can reduce criminal behaviour. It provides a pathway for people who want to develop and monitor rehabilitation programs and also more broadly to work in the area of community safety (trying to anticipate where crime might occur).
Criminal justice deals mainly with the fallout of crime and activities that directly try to prevent crime in a manner that does not involve attempting to understand and change the mindset of offenders and potential offenders. Thus, the criminal justice aspects provides a pathway to jobs in policing, prosecution, the courts and prisons.
Ideally, most government funding should be directed to the front end of criminal behaviour (i.e. the causes of crime – criminology), but it is not. Most funding is directed at the back-end, i.e. dealing with the fall out of crime (i.e. criminal justice). Hence, the reason that the proposed course encompasses both criminology and criminal justice program.
The proposed program encompasses both criminology and criminal justice. The criminology aspects of the course focuses mainly on the causes of crime and attempts to consider solutions that can reduce criminal behaviour. It provides a pathway for people who want to develop and monitor rehabilitation programs and also more broadly to work in the area of community safety (trying to anticipate where crime might occur).
Criminal justice deals mainly with the fallout of crime and activities that directly try to prevent crime in a manner that does not involve attempting to understand and change the mindset of offenders and potential offenders. Thus, the criminal justice aspects provides a pathway to jobs in policing, prosecution, the courts and prisons.
Ideally, most government funding should be directed to the front end of criminal behaviour (i.e. the causes of crime – criminology), but it is not. Most funding is directed at the back-end, i.e. dealing with the fall out of crime (i.e. criminal justice). Hence, the reason that the proposed course encompasses both criminology and criminal justice program.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology students must complete 300 credit points comprising:
17 Core Units of Study (212.5 credit points)
7 units of other studies (up to 87.5 credit points) comprising of a major, minor/s or electives
Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 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
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).
Units of study
17 Core Units of Study (212.5 credit points)
LAW10024 Criminal Law and Process
LAW20030 Sentencing *
LAW20031 Crime and Punishment in the International Context *
PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
The course prepares students to work in the areas of law enforcement, corrections, offender rehabilitation, victim support and government policy development
Aims and objectives
Students who successfully complete this course 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
- apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations
- 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
- function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance
Graduate skills
The intent of the course is for graduates to have well-developed attributes, which will equip them for their early career and life. Specifically graduates will be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of the local and international environments to which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$45,426 | $15,142 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
Fees are estimates only: The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester. Students who participate in a six or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Entry requirements
2022 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 60
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)
- Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
- VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about the admissions process.