Bachelor of Psychology, Criminology and Justice
Undergraduate
ECU-PCJ-DEG 2023Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Prepare for a fascinating career in the criminal justice system
Learn how to use psychology to understand criminal behaviour. Explore the theories of criminology and get to know the major institutions of criminal justice in Australia. Graduate ready for meaningful roles in justice, police, and human services.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Psychology, Criminology and Justice
About this degree
At the end of the program, students of the Bachelor of Psychology, Criminology and Justice can:
- Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and technical discipline situations.
- Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise/synthesise complex psychology, criminology and justice knowledge/problems.
- Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate solutions and responses relevant to psychology, criminology and justice.
- Use digital technologies and psychology, criminology and justice related literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
- Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
- Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values through appropriate psychology, criminology and justice methods.
- Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and scholarship.
- Communicate psychology, criminology and justice knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence.
This course is designed for students who wish to pursue further study in the area of psychology, criminology, or justice, or those who wish to be employed within the criminal justice system.
The course equips students with skills in analysing, researching behaviour and explaining interactions between people and their environment.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:
• Introduction to Psychology
• Psychology of Motivation and Emotion
• The Criminal Justice Process
• Criminology
As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
Students are required to complete 360 credit points.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $33,669
The amount shown here is 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.
ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.
Learn more about ECU.
Explore ECU courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 29
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 24
How to apply
Edith Cowan University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Edith Cowan University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or 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*
- Experience Based Entry Scheme.*
- For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.
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
Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. For eligible students, ECU offers credit and recognition of prior learning (CRPL). There are 2 CRPL options:
• Credit transfer to acknowledge students’ formal learning at uni or TAFE.
• Recognition of students’ informal learning gained outside of the education system (for example workplace experience or volunteer training.)
Career opportunities
Employment opportunities include case management in the criminal justice system, human resources management, education, rehabilitation, business, mental health, and the administration and provision of social services, and performing in any job or role that involves understanding and guiding human behaviour, showing empathy and compassion, and displaying skills such as the ability to evaluate the needs of a client, write formal reports, and keep accurate and organised records; in particular, this double major of psychology, criminology and justice prepares students for work within the criminal justice system, or for further postgraduate studies in psychology, criminology and justice.
Possible future job titles: Criminology and Justice System Worker, Counsellor, Public Sector Worker, Government Agency Worker, Market Researcher, Children and Family Service Provider, Marketer, Human Resource Worker, Statistician, Mental Health Services Worker
Professional recognition
This course is an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited 3-year sequence in Psychology, suitable for students intending on undertaking further study and training to become a practicing Psychologist.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Detectives | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
Intelligence Officers | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Private Investigators | $75K to $93K | N/A^ |