Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Criminology

Course highlights:

1. Criminal Behaviour and Forensic Psychology: Explore the psychological, social and environmental factors that influence offending, and examine how forensic psychology helps us understand criminal behaviour.
2. Policing, Corrections and Justice: Examine how policing, corrections and the broader criminal justice system respond to crime, rehabilitation and community safety.
3. Cyber Crime and Global Crime: Explore contemporary crime challenges, from cyber threats and darknet offences to transnational organised crime and global criminal networks.
4. Youth Justice and Crime Prevention: Investigate the factors that contribute to youth offending and the strategies used to reduce crime and support positive outcomes.

What is the Bachelor of Social Science – Criminology?

Swinburne Online’s Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Criminology is a 100% online undergraduate degree that equips you with a deep understanding of crime, criminal justice, and the social systems that shape human behaviour.

You’ll study what drives criminal behaviour, how policing and corrections work, and how crime plays out, from local communities to global illicit markets. You’ll also examine these issues through the histories and standpoints of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and how they continue to shape the experience of Indigenous youth in the justice system today.

This course suits career changers and school leavers alike. If you’re curious about what sits behind crime, and you want the skills to provide actionable insights that make a real difference in our society, then the Bachelor of Social Science – Criminology is the right choice for you. You’ll be joining a cohort of graduates from various areas of the criminal justice system.

How You’ll Study

• The Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Criminology runs across three Teaching Periods per year.
• Expected study load is between 8–10 hours per unit, per week.
• Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period.
• You’ll have 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.
• Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.

Recommended study pattern

To be awarded the Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Criminology you must complete 24 units in total made up of:

Core Units

Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)

Sociological Foundations (SOC10004)

Core Unit Options

Australian Politics (POL10001)

Introduction to Research Methods (PSY10005)

Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences (INS10001)

Criminology Major units

Introduction to Forensic Psychology (FOR10001)

Fundamentals of Criminology (CRI10002)

Policing: Systems and Practice (CRI20001)

Cyber Crime and Security (POL30018)

Crime, Deviance, and Conformity (CRI20003)

Corrections: Systems and Practice (CRI30002)

Global Crime (CRI20002)

Youth Justice and Crime (CRI30010)

Electives

Complete twelve (12) electives to round out your degree. Tailor your course to suit your strengths, interests, and career goals by choosing elective units.

Here’s what our Swinburne Online academic staff recommend for this course: 

Countering Violent Extremism (POL30016)

Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY10008)

Critical Perspectives on Terrorism (Capstone Unit) (POL30009)

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Social Science, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

• Two (2) Core units of study and two (2) Core units of study based on selected major discipline area (50cps).
• Eight (8) units of study from a Social Science discipline major in one of the following areas: Behavioural Studies, Criminology, Security and International Relations, or Security and Counter Terrorism (100 credit points).
• Twelve (12) units of study (150 credit points) comprising a co-major, advanced minor, minor and/or electives.

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 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.

Students studying Security and International Relations Major cannot also study Security and Counter Terrorism Major due to the similarity of units.

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a work integrated learning (WIL) Professional Placement.

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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

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.