Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is the only degree of its type in Victoria, focusing on both the causes of crime (criminology) and the fallout of crime (criminal justice). You’ll learn about local and global criminality, traditional approaches and responses to crime, and emerging trends and practices.
In this course, you’ll examine the international dimensions of criminal justice as well as the technological advances that impact the sector, including an emphasis on predicting the commission of crime, detecting and stopping criminal behaviour, and implementing effective and efficient criminal sanctions. You’ll also get professional learning experience by completing a Capstone Project in your final year.
The degree will give 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.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 2 March 2020
- Semester 2 - 3 August 2020
VTAC codes
- 3400211391 (CSP)
- 3400211393 (IFP)
Faculty
Faculty of Business and Law
From Diploma to employment at IBAC
After taking on the Diploma of Justice, Skye chose to come back and complete her Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. As part of her course, Skye chose to undertake an internship, which not only was turned into part-time employment while she was studying, but was a stepping stone for ongoing employment in 2021.
I’ve always been fascinated by what causes people to commit crimes and how to prevent them. Swinburne’s course was the most tailored to my interests. We apply theories to real-life cases. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else – interaction and friendships with other students are just as important as the academic side of uni!
Mikaela
Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology 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.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Criminology | CRI10002 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Forensic Psychology | FOR10001 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Law | LAW10021 | 12.5 |
| Law & Social Science | LAW10022 | 12.5 |
| Criminal Law and Process | LAW10024 | 12.5 |
| Brain and Behaviour | PSY10007 | 12.5 |
| Policing: Systems and Practice | CRI20001 | 12.5 |
| Global Crime * | CRI20002 | 12.5 |
| Sentencing * | LAW20030 | 12.5 |
| Crime and Punishment in the International Context * | LAW20031 | 12.5 |
| Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime * | LAW20032 | 12.5 |
| Deviance Difference & Conformity | SOC20020 | 12.5 |
| Corrections: Systems and Practice * | CRI30002 | 12.5 |
| Youth Justice and Crime | CRI30010 | 12.5 |
| Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology | FOR30001 | 12.5 |
| Crime, Society and Culture * | LAW30025 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
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).
- 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
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- describe the nature of criminal activity and evaluate the main causes of crime
- undertake research and evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community
- compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations
- demonstrate effective and persuasive communication capabilities with legal and non-legal audiences
- investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime
- describe and 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.
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides opportunities to gain invaluable skills and confidence in knowing that you have what it takes to land a job in your field by graduation. You can also earn credit towards your degree. Choose from six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours and accreditation placements. Find out more.
Career opportunities
The Criminal Justice and Criminology degree provides students with the knowledge and training necessary to meet the challenges of working in industries and sectors that deal with the causes of crime (criminology) and the consequences of criminal behaviour and the responses to criminality (criminal justice). The criminology aspect 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. The criminal justice aspects provides a pathway to jobs in policing, prosecution, the courts and prisons. The course prepares students to work in the areas of law enforcement, corrections, offender rehabilitation, victim support and government policy development.
Fees
- Fees for 2021.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2021 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) |
$43,500 | $14,500 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
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.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.