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Study postgraduate online with Macquarie University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

The Master of Criminology (OUA) at Macquarie University is a future-focused, interdisciplinary programme designed to meet the growing demand for ethical, evidence-based, and innovative responses to crime and justice. Positioned at the intersection of theory, practice, and policy, the programme empowers students and professionals to lead transformative change in an increasingly complex criminological landscape. The programme combines experiential learning, applied research, and professional skill development to equip students for leadership in practice, innovation and reform. Students and professionals engage with contemporary challenges through policy design, ethical leadership training, and diverse case studies that reflect real-world justice challenges.The Master of Criminology (OUA) explores the causes, consequences, and prevention of crime through a curriculum grounded in solutions building and justice innovation. Key areas include criminological theory, justice reform, and policy development, alongside the examination of contemporary challenges facing criminal justice systems, such as technological innovations and questions of social justice. Whether advancing in current roles or pursuing new opportunities, graduates will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to design and implement ethical, evidence-based solutions that lead transformative change across diverse justice contexts.

Build advanced criminology expertise. You’ll delve into practical, ethical solutions to current justice challenges. Explore policy, technology, and global crime trends. Hone professional skills to analyse and transform modern justice systems.

Master of Criminology

The analytical toolkit and professional know-how developed through Macquarie University’s Master of Intelligence can help you and your team navigate the uncertainty of today’s increasingly complex security challenges, from great power competition to transnational crime, climate change and beyond. In studying this course you will gain in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of intelligence studies; the evolution of the intelligence enterprise in Australia and around the world; and the emerging domestic, regional and international challenges for intelligence. It will also equip you with a practical skill set to analyse intelligence challenges, based on real world examples. The core units focus on synthesising the latest developments in intelligence theory and practice in order to help build your profile as an intelligence professional. Elective choice allows you to also focus on other aspects of security, including counter terrorism, security and strategic studies, cyber security and criminology.

Dive deep into real world global intelligence issues. Secure practical skills analysing intelligence challenges. Think critically and make ethical judgements.

Master of Intelligence

Criminology at Macquarie University embraces a philosophy that revolves around fostering a critical understanding of crime and challenging commonly held assumptions regarding the causes, consequences, and approaches to crime control. Our programme offers a distinct interdisciplinary curriculum to provide an enriched perspective on the systems of power and inequality that shape the landscape of our criminal justice system. Throughout their studies, students will develop theoretical and methodological skills that empower them to critically evaluate and analyse systemic harm, inequality and injustice. Moreover, through collaboration with professional and governmental organisations, they will explore profound questions such as the nature of crime, the targets of criminal justice intervention, the perpetuation of injustice and inequality and the complex dynamics that increasingly exist between environmental security, justice and crime. This education will empower students to think innovatively and ethically when addressing the persistent challenges of crime, deviance and harm, with a critical focus on power and environmental security, whether they choose to pursue further education, engage in research, or enter the workforce.

Engage with advanced criminology theory, applied criminological research and criminal justice policy analysis. Apply your theory to a range of crimes. Get an understanding of motivations, reactions, and how we can work to alleviate crime.

In studying this course you will develop an understanding of the different dimensions of security issues and criminology. All units are provided through the Department of Security Studies and Criminology and focus on synthesising the latest developments in security studies and criminology. These units of study will provide you an in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical issues at a global, regional and national level.

Study national and global security issues and criminology. Delve into online terrorism and the intelligence tradecraft. Secure skills to critically apply criminal research. Make ethical and socially informed decisions about complex problems.

Graduate Certificate of Security Studies and Criminology

Crime and Mental Health

Understanding Victims and Offenders

Fraud and Cybercrime

Crime and Criminal Justice

Gender, Crime and Justice

The Criminal Justice System

Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime

Big Issues: Policy and Social Change

Mental Disorder and Crime

Crime, Society and Justice

The subject was formerly known as PICX889 Applied Criminology Practice and PolicyThis unit analyses the effectiveness of contemporary criminal justice practice. Students will critically evaluate crime reduction and prevention strategies employed in Australia and internationally as well as formulate practical and effective solutions to contemporary crime problems. Students will be able to critically understand the structure and functioning of the criminal justice system, evaluate criminal justice policies and practice, develop crime prevention and reduction strategies, as well as evaluate the efficacy and possibilities of a range of approaches to both crime prevention and incarceration. The unit examines the historical development of crime policy, key concepts such as the ‘policy cycle’, the barriers in changing criminal justice, why some approaches are successful and others are not, as well as the role the design and implementation of criminal justice practice and policy. Doing so, students will be able to develop a criminological understanding of the operation of various facets of the criminal justice system, particularly police, courts and corrective services and their limitations.

Drawing on your knowledge of Australian and international criminal justice practices and policies, formulate solutions to real-world crime problems. With a focus on police, courts and corrective services, evaluate current crime reduction strategies.

Crime Prevention in Practice

This subject was previously known as MAQ-PICX888 Advanced Criminology Theory.What is criminological theory and how can it help better understand and respond to ongoing social challenges? Delving into the intricate landscape of criminological theories, the unit addressing this foundational question by offing an advanced understanding of the historical and contemporary frameworks shaping the discipline. The course navigates through key theories, examining their historical evolution and contemporary applications. Starting with early positivistic approaches, through to more critical perspectives that focus on issues relating gender, race, sexuality and Indigeneity, students will be able to critically analyse the theoretical underpinnings of crime and deviance as well as explore the diverse perspectives from classical to critical criminology. Emphasis is be placed on synthesizing and applying theories to ‘real-world’ contexts, fostering an applied and nuanced comprehension of criminal behaviour and justice systems.

Understand how crime intersects with social, political, cultural and economic elements of life. Learn and evaluate advanced contemporary criminology theory. Cover left and right realism, cultural criminology, opportunity and deterrence theories.

Advanced Criminology Theory

The subject was formerly known as PICX862 The Crimes of the PowerfulThis subject examines crimes committed by powerful individuals and institutions: white collar crimes, corporate crimes and state crimes. From the Nazi death camps of WWII, to the Bhopal and BHP Gulf oil spill environmental disasters of more recent decades, the most harmful crimes are not those committed by offenders on the &#39;street&#39;, but rather by individuals and organisations occupying the most influential and privileged positions in our societies. This unit reorients the criminological gaze upwards, away from traditional street offenders and towards the most powerful criminals who occupy corporate boardrooms, parliaments and military organisations. Students will explore contemporary examples of each of these types of offence, examine the characteristics of powerful offenders, and address why crimes of this magnitude often go unaddressed by both contemporary criminologists and our systems of criminal justice.

Gaze back at some of the most powerful and criminal individuals and institutions. Categorise types of crime, such as white collar and state crime. Study notorious offenders and criminal acts, including the BHP oil spill and Nazi death camps.

The Crimes of the Powerful

Macquarie University Postgraduate Criminology Subjects | Open Universities Australia

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