How to find the best online criminology course for you in Australia

How to choose the right online criminology course

Before you compare online criminology courses, get clear on what you want your study to lead to. The right option will look different depending on your goals, previous study, experience and how study needs to fit around the rest of your life.

When I’m helping students narrow their choices, I usually start with a few questions:

• What do you want to get from studying criminology?

• Have you completed any previous study?

• Do you have experience in areas like justice, policy or community services?

• How much time can you comfortably commit to study?

• Are you looking for a qualification, or would you prefer to explore criminology through a smaller study option first?

• What level of flexibility you do you need to fit online study into your life?

Once you know what matters most to you, it becomes much easier to compare your options. Look closely at what you’ll study, the entry requirements and where the course could take you.

Find the best path for your situation

Use this table to figure out which section of this guide you should read.

For more on the different degree options in criminology, explore our criminology degree guide.

Starting a career in criminology

This is you if: You're choosing your first criminology qualification or need a pathway into undergraduate study. Your best starting point depends on the depth you want and whether you meet direct entry requirements.

I want criminology to be the focus of my first degree

Recommended: A Bachelor of Criminology

A dedicated bachelor degree is a smart choice if you want to prepare for a role in criminology, law enforcement, criminal justice or a related area. Current online examples through Open Universities Australia are commonly three years full time, or the part-time equivalent.

If you’re particularly interested in research, policy, criminal justice or another specialisation within criminology, compare the subjects each course covers. Criminology degrees can differ between universities, so make sure you’ll be able to focus on the topics that matter most to you.

Explore bachelor degrees in criminology.

I want to combine criminology with another field

Recommended: A broader bachelor degree with a criminology major, or a double degree that includes criminology.

This route can suit you if you’re interested in a career that draws on criminology and another field. Students commonly combine criminology with an area like psychological science, cyber security, business or social science. This can open the door to specialised areas of work such as youth justice, cybercrime, financial crime, fraud or compliance.

The trade-off is usually structure. A double degree will take longer to complete than a single bachelor degree, while a broader degree may give criminology less depth. If you want to give equal weight to both fields during your studies, compare the compulsory subjects in a degree first to see how much of each area is built into the course, then look at the available electives.

Explore bachelor degrees in criminology.

I don't meet the entry requirements for a bachelor degree

Recommended: Open Access subjects in criminology

Some criminology degrees accept Open Access single subjects as an entry pathway. Under this route, you can choose up to four criminology single subjects to enrol in without entry requirements, then use your results to gain entry into a bachelor degree.

I often speak with students who have not studied for a while or do not have an ATAR. Starting small with a subject or two is a popular way to build momentum and get a feel for university study before committing to a longer course.

Explore criminology bachelor degrees that allow entry through single subjects.

Compare criminology single subjects.

Changing careers into criminology

This is you if: You’ve already built experience through work or study and want criminology to take you in a new direction. Your background will shape which course level suits you.

I already have a bachelor degree in another field

Recommended: A Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice

This graduate certificate can be a good starting point if you already have a bachelor degree and want to move into criminology. It gives you a solid introduction to postgraduate criminology, justice, policy and research, which can lead to a career shift or further study depending on where you decide to take it.

Entry requirements vary between universities, so check whether your previous degree needs to be in a related field before you apply.

Explore graduate certificates in criminology.

I have relevant professional experience but limited university study

Recommended: Entry into a bachelor degree or graduate certificate based on work and life experience.

Some criminology courses may consider your experience from areas such as policing, courts, corrections, compliance or community services. Even if you haven’t studied at university before but have at least two years of relevant work experience, you may be able to bypass undergraduate study and enter a Graduate Certificate in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

I speak with people already working in youth justice, courts and policing who want to upskill or change direction. Their experience often unlocks opportunities to further study.

For another view before you apply, I recommend booking a consultation with a student advisor to discuss your individual situation.

Advancing your career in criminology

This is you if: You already work in criminology, justice or a related field. You want to add knowledge for your current role.

I want focused postgraduate knowledge without a long qualification

Recommended: A graduate certificate in criminology or criminal justice.

A graduate certificate gives you a shorter way to build postgraduate knowledge in criminology. You can usually complete one in 6 months if you study full time, though you can also tackle one subject at a time if you prefer to study around your other commitments.

If you decide you want to keep studying, a graduate certificate can open the door to various graduate diploma and masters degree options.

Explore graduate certificates in criminology.

I want deeper specialist skills to add to my experience

Recommended: A graduate diploma or masters degree in your chosen area.

These qualifications make more sense when your goal requires greater depth. If you’re looking to deep-dive into a particular area within criminology, compare course descriptions carefully, including the specialist subjects available.

Note that some postgraduate courses are research-focused and others are based mainly on coursework.

Explore graduate diplomas and masters degrees in criminology.

I want to add one specific criminology skill to my current role

Recommended: A short criminology course

This option suits you when you want to learn about one topic rather than gain a full qualification. Current criminology short courses through us run for about 10 to 16 weeks. Topics include fraud and cybercrime, understanding domestic and family violence, and the effects of mental health disorders on crime.

Browse short courses in criminology.

Exploring criminology before committing

This is you if: Criminology interests you, but you want a smaller first step before choosing a degree. You can use that first study experience to test both the study area and your available time.

I want to try criminology before choosing a degree

Recommended: A single criminology subject.

A single subject lets you experience university study without committing to a whole qualification. Single subjects usually take about 10 to 16 weeks, depending on the university.

One subject generally requires about 10 to 12 study hours each week. Some criminology bachelor degrees available through Open Universities Australia will allow you to meet entry requirements if you have successfully completed a set number of single subjects, so you can also use them as a pathway into further study – sometimes with academic credit.

Explore criminology single subjects.

Compare online criminology course options

The best online criminology course for you depends on your starting point and intended outcome. Use this table to compare your main options before you shortlist individual courses.

Just be aware that a qualification alone can't always guarantee you're eligible for a particular job. Some roles in policing, corrections, courts and government have their own recruitment or training requirements as well, so it’s worth checking what applies to the career you’re interested in.

Need help choosing the right online criminology course?

To help narrow down your search for the right criminology degree for you, I recommend getting clear on where you’d like your career to go. Read our article on criminology jobs and career pathways to compare study choices with possible careers.

Then, explore courses that match your goals by browsing criminology study online.

If you prefer to work with a trusted, unbiased guide, you can book a consultation to chat with me or one of my fellow student advisors for free. We can help you compare study load, entry requirements, funding options and whichever other details are most important to you.

FAQs about online criminology degrees