Bachelor of Criminal Justice

UniSA Online’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice will introduce you to a wide range of contemporary issues and approaches in the criminal justice field. You’ll explore topics ranging from youth justice and cybercrime to victimology and policing.

Throughout your studies, you’ll develop strong research, analytical and communication skills required to work in complex criminal justice roles.  You’ll be able to critically analyse crime prevention theories, techniques and crime reduction programs and apply these methods to real industry problems.

The skills you’ll learn are highly sought after by employers. These include:

• developing interpersonal strategies to work with young people, victims of crime and offenders
• enhancing your analytical skills required by officers and analysts within the field
• evaluating crime prevention strategies and techniques
• understanding how the criminal justice system impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Study Criminal Justice On Demand with UniSA Online and take full control over your study. 

If you’re looking to make a positive impact on the wellbeing and safety of your community, UniSA Online’s Criminal Justice degree will help make your goals a reality.  

The criminal justice system plays a crucial role in maintaining, enforcing and administering the law to help promote justice for individuals and the community, as well as reduce and prevent crime. This 100% online degree gives you the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the criminal justice system and discover how it responds to crime, and promotes justice for individuals and the community.  This degree will also give you an insight into key agencies within the Australian Intelligence Community, how they work together, and the functions they serve.

Developed by academics with extensive industry experience, you’ll cover the most up-to-date trends affecting areas such as cyber-crime, counter-terrorism, police investigations and intelligence, and applied criminology.

Recommended study pattern

Year 1

• Foundations of Law (LAWS 1023)
• Criminology and Public Policy (LAWS 2036)
• Psychology Concepts (BEHL 1027)
• Principles of Public Law (LAWS 1024)
• The Social World (SOCU 1008)
• Intercultural Communication (LANG 1064)
• Criminal Law and Procedure (LAWS 1022)
• Elective

Year 2

• Policing: Investigations and Intelligence (JUST 2013)
• Elective
• Corrections: Offender Rehabilitation and Desistance (JUST 2011)
• Elective
• Youth Justice (JUST 2014)
• Social Research Methods (HUMS 2043)
• Sociology of Deviance (SOCU 2020)
• Elective

Year 3

• Cybercrime and Digital Evidence (JUST 3006)
• Psychology of Investigative and Legal Processes (JUST 3007)
• Crime, Gender and Sexuality (JUST 3009)
• Aboriginal Australians, Policing and the Criminal Justice System (SOCU 2019)
• Victimology (JUST 3008)
• Elective
• Crime Prevention (JUST 3005)
• Human Services Workers and the Law (JUST 3004)

Suggested Electives

• Integrated Communication Planning (COMM 3077)
• Social Analysis (WELF 3026)
• Sociology of Gender and Intimacy (HUMS 3053)
• Organisational Leadership (BUSS 3096)
• Managing Decision Making (BUSS 3095)
• International Management Ethics and Values (BUSS 3094)
• Strategic Management (BUSS 3097)
• Young People in Transition (WELF 3027)

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects including 4 electives.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about UniSA.

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QS Ranking 2024:

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Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

21

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result:

• Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
• Completed an award from a recognised training organisation at Certificate IV or above
• Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience, or
• Completed a UniSA Foundations Studies program or equivalent, or
• Qualified for Special Entry
• Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification

Students who do not meet these criteria can start studying now by enrolling in the subjects below. Students will be eligible to apply upon successful completion of four subjects and all subjects will be credited towards the degree.

• LAWS1023 Foundations of Law
• LAWS2036 Criminology and Public Policy
• BEHL1027 Psychology Concepts
• LAWS1024 Principles of Public Law
• SOCU1008 The Social World
• LANG1064 Intercultural Communication
• LAWS1022 Criminal Law and Procedure

For more information or if you are unsure of your eligibility please contact an OUA Student Advisor on 1300 729 424.

Information regarding credit can be found here:

http://online.unisa.edu.au/get-started/check-your-credit/