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.
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.
Graduates will possess 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.
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in the unit Crime, Society and Culture (LAW30025), you’ll team up with other students to work on a problems-based project briefed to you by an industry partner.
Criminal Justice and Criminology double degree options
You can also study Criminal Justice and Criminology in a double degree with Laws, or Psychological Sciences.
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 27 February 2023
- Semester 2 - 31 July 2023
VTAC codes
- 3400211391 (CSP)
- 3400211393 (IFP)
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).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
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You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
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A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- 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.
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 2022 and 2023.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Fees for 2022
| 2022 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) |
$43,890 | $14,630 | 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.
Fees for 2023
| 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 |
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.