Bachelor of Criminology and Justice

Students gain a significant background in the contemporary theory and research that informs criminology and justice professions. They also develop professional skills required for employment in criminology and justice, including Indigenous cultural responsiveness.

Possible future job titles: Police Officer, Community Corrections Officer, Parole Officer, Youth Justice Officer, Prison Officer, Research & Policy Officer, Family/Juvenile Counsellor, Family Law Case Worker, Customs Officer, Security Officer

Professional recognition

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Higher education

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

One or more of the majors in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the major for more information.

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV;
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• University Preparation Course;*
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
• * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.
• For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

Secondary education

Alternatively, applicants can apply with the indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published.

Work and Life

Alternatively, applicants can apply via Experience Based Entry Scheme, subject to eligibility.

English Proficiency Requirements

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page (Band 3).
• * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Practicum placement

Students are required to undertake WIL in their final semester of study. Students must select one of two WIL opportunities: a practicum placement or a capstone project. The practicum placement is by application and approval only and requires students to complete a minimum of 270 hours in a relevant criminal justice agency. The capstone project is run on-campus and requires students to work in small groups on an real life industry-based project.

If you have completed units of study at University, undertaken a Diploma qualification or higher, or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal. 

Crime and criminal behaviour are topics that fascinate many of us.

Why people commit crime, how society should respond to crime and how can we prevent and minimise the harms associated with criminal behaviour are some of the issues you’ll consider when you study criminology and justice at ECU.

Your studies will encompass the whole system – from how laws are made, through to how police, courts and corrections deal with people who break these laws. You’ll also examine the concept of justice, and what it means to different groups of people in the criminal justice system, and to society more broadly.

Importantly, we start to prepare you for employment as soon as you start. This preparation culminates in amazing opportunities such as workplace practicums, involvement in industry-based projects and work integrated learning via our own Criminal Justice Review Project’.

Our goal is to ensure that you’re exposed to cutting-edge content and opportunities to help you decide how and where you want to contribute to the world of criminal justice.