Law & justice

Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Crime is a reality in modern society and as such there is a constant need for qualified professionals who are able to deal with criminal behaviour and its impact on society. This Criminology and Criminal Justice online course from Griffith University explores the core issues and causes behind criminal behaviour. Through an examination of criminology, contemporary research and current policy debates, you will develop a thorough understanding of the structure of our criminal justice system and for the issues behind criminal behaviour.

Overview

Level of study: What does Postgraduate mean?

Postgraduate

Number of units: What are units?

8 units

How to enrol

  1. This course has restricted enrolment. You must apply and be accepted before you can enrol in units.
Check eligibility
How to apply

Units in this course

View Units

Postgraduate studies in criminology and criminal justice provide a pathway to professional advancement for those working in these fields. The courses are designed to provide an overview of criminological theory and research, the workings of the criminal justice system and allied organisations, insight into key policy debates and an understanding of research methods.

The courses introduce social and psychological explanations of crime, as well as contemporary debates in criminological theory. Beyond the core elements of the course in policing, community development, crime prevention, law and behaviour and social science research methods you will have the opportunity to study electives from criminal justice, research practice, policing, corrections and crime prevention.

Career Outcomes

Graduates from this course typically pursue careers in criminal justice-related fields, including crime prevention, community development, security, policing, corrections, family services, law, justice administration and policy, customs, mental and community health, local government, military services, and criminal justice research organisations.

Eligibility

Students must have completed an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 4.5 or higher.

Students who have completed a Bachelor of Criminology or Criminal Justice, or equivalent, need to complete Stream A.

Students who have completed a degree in another discipline need to complete Stream B.

All interested students should speak to Griffith University to determine their eligibility for this course.

How to Apply

This course is restricted. Students are required to apply and be approved by Griffith University before they can enrol in units through OUA.

Applications for the Graduate Certificate or Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice are due two weeks prior to the close of enrolment.

Please complete the application form below.

  1. Read information requirements

    • Select to apply for one or more courses listed on the application form, taking note of the eligibility criteria for each course. If you want to apply for a (restricted) course with a different university, you'll need to submit a separate application from the relevant course page.

    • Read all parts of the application form in advance:

      Receive a faster response by ensuring you have all the required information ready before you start. If you have a web account, sign in first to pre-fill personal details we already have for you on record.

      If you do not have a web account, you'll need to register one within the application form. Once you've registered an account, you'll then be signed in. From here you can choose to complete your application and submit it, or save and return to it later.

      Completing this application should take 15 to 20 minutes.

    • Need help completing your application? Contact us:

      If in doubt about any of the information required to support your application, the more information you can provide the better. If you have any academic queries including how to request credit transfer, contact Griffith University directly. For all other enquiries, contact us.

    • Next steps:

      After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email containing a copy of your application for your records.

      Your application will be assessed within 2-4 weeks, and if further information is required, we will contact you. Once your application has been assessed, we will be in touch via email to notify you of the outcome. At the latest this will be one week after the closing date for applications.

      If, after submitting your application, you wish to change your preferences or submit an additional document, please email apply@open.edu.au. Include your full name as it appeared on the application.

  2. Prepare supporting documents

    • Check that you have all the required documents, according to individual course requirements and your personal circumstances, specifically:

      1. Your curriculum vitae - required for entry into postgraduate courses only.
      2. Certified copies of academic transcripts - required in most cases but check course eligibility rules.
      3. A letter of recommendation from your employer on company letterhead - recommended for entry using work experience.
      4. Certified legal documentation - if you have changed your name e.g. a marriage certificate, deed poll name change certificate.
      5. Certified legal documentation - if you need to correct an error in your date of birth e.g. a birth certificate.
      6. English language test results - if your courses were not predominantly in English e.g. IELTS or equivalent test results.
      7. Official translations of any documents not in English.

      A "certified" copy is a copy bearing the recognised mark of a Justice of the Peace, Commission of Oaths or declarations, Public Notary or a Solicitor.

    • Create an electronic copy of your attachments:

      For each certified document, scan and save it on your computer. Save your curriculum vitae to your computer, then get ready to upload all documents in the form.

    • Do not send original documents as they will not be returned.

Then submit your application in one of two ways:

Apply online

Alternatively, you can download, print and email/fax your application:

Griffith_Postgraduate_Application_Form (PDF, 184 KB)

PDF applications should be emailed to: apply@open.edu.au or faxed to: +61 3 8628 2989.

  1. After submitting your online application, you'll need to post the actual, certified copies of official documents included in your application to:

    Off Campus and Assignment Handling Services
    LO8, Room 1.68
    Griffith University - Logan Campus
    University Drive
    Meadowbrook QLD 4131

    These are required for assessing your application, and for graduation purposes. Do not fax or email these documents.

  2. Do not send OUA the actual certified or original documents as they will not be returned.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice Stream A students must complete two core units MCCJ7005(double unit) and MCCJ7022 plus five electives for a total of seven units (including one double unit).

To qualify for the award of Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice Stream B students must complete the three core units MCCJ7001, MCCJ7022 and MCCJ7028 plus five electives for a total of eight units.

Recognition of Prior Learning / Credit

RPL/Credit may be awarded according to Griffith University policies and applicants are encouraged to contact the course coordinator for further information.

Recommended Study Pattern

There are two streams in the postgraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice courses according to the discipline studied in the undergraduate degree.

Stream A
Students who have completed a Bachelor of Criminology or Criminal Justice or equivalent should select units from Stream A and complete two core units including one double unit plus five electives from the list below.

Stream B
Students who have completed a bachelor degree in another discipline should select units from Stream B and complete three core units plus five electives from the list below.

Course Structure

Stream A Core units - Master of Criminology & Criminal Justice Total number of units to complete: 2 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following 2 units
Griffith
Griffith

* MCCJ7005 double unit

Stream B Core units - Master of Criminology & Criminal Justice Total number of units to complete: 3 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Required Units: Complete the following 3 units
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Stream A & B Electives - Master of Criminology & Criminal Justice Total number of units to complete: 5 units
Select
Unit code
Unit name
Provider
2012 Availability
Optional Units: Complete 5 units from the following 13 units
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith
Griffith