Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

During this Course students will learn:

• Causes of Crime Describe the nature of criminal activity and analyse and evaluate the main causes of crime.
• Impact of Crime Systematically review and undertake research to evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community.
• Comparing Global Crime Responses Apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations.
• Effective Communication Effectively and persuasively communicate with legal and non-legal audiences.
• Crime Management Analyse information from a variety of sources to investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime.
• Technology in Crime Management Evaluate technological and other scientific approaches to reducing crime and dealing with the consequences of crime.
• Teamwork Function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. describe the nature of criminal activity and analyse and evaluate the main causes of crime.
2. systematically review and undertake research to evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community.
3. apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations.
4. effectively and persuasively communicate with legal and non-legal audiences.
5. analyse information from a variety of sources to investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime.
6. evaluate technological and other scientific approaches to reducing crime and dealing with the consequences of crime.
7. function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance.

During your Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, you will learn to demystify the criminal mind and assist victims and perpetrators to navigate the Australian legal system.

Your units will cover different causes of crime and the manner in which society – through the police, courts, corrections systems and victims support services – responds to crime.

The course examines local and global criminality, traditional approaches and responses to crime, as well as emerging trends and practices. It focuses on technological and other scientific advances which impact on the criminal justice sector, including an emphasis on predicting the commission of crime, detecting and stopping criminal behaviour and implementing effective and efficient criminal sanctions.

Recommended study pattern

Course Units

Introduction to Forensic Psychology (FOR10001)

Brain and Behaviour (PSY10007)

Policing: Systems and Practice (CRI20001)

Deviance, Difference & Conformity (SOC20020)

Corrections: Systems and Practice (CRI30002)

Fundamentals of Criminology (CRI10002)

Global Crime (CRI20002)

Youth Justice and Crime (CRI30010)

Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology (FOR30001)

Introduction to Law (LAW10021)

Law and Social Science (LAW10022 )

Criminal Law and Process (LAW10024)

Sentencing (LAW20030)

Crime and Punishment in the International Context (LAW20031 )

Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime (LAW20032)

Crime, Society and Culture (LAW30025 )

Professional placements

Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a professional placement where a relevant professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant professional degree, in order to complete a placement, and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, students must complete 300 credit points comprising:

• 16 core units of study (200 credit points)
• 8 units of other studies (up to 100 credit points) comprising of a co-major, minor/s or electives.

Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $52,197

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
• 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
• Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score

International students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before enrolling into a Swinburne Online degree by undertaking one of the following English language tests:

• the International English Language Test Score (IELTS); or
• the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case by case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.