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Undergraduate SWI-SSS-DEG-2023

Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Security and Counter Terrorism

Work towards a career in intelligence and protection

Explore global contemporary security threats including cybercrime, violent extremism, and radicalisation. By understanding the issues and developing skills to respond, you’ll be ready for roles in policy, immigration, and national security.

Available loans

Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

Total subjects

24

Price

From

$45,426

Study method

100% Online

Assessments

100% online

CSP Available

Yes

Credit available

Yes

Applications Close

  • 13 Aug 23
  • 12 Nov 23
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Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. 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 Ranking 2023

18

Times Higher Education Ranking 2023

22

  • 2023

Degree details

What you'll learn

Cybersecurity

Examine the role of technology in the changing nature of warfare.

Countering Violent Extremism

Explore contemporary issues in counter-terrorism such as radicalisation.

International Politics

Gain an understanding of the major institutions, events and issues in international politics.

Dictators and Democrats

Examine the key concepts of Political Science and comparative political systems.

International Relations

Explore the role of the United Nations and the problems associated with global governance .

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

  1. Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in security and counter terrorism
  2. Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
  3. Critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of security and counter terrorism
  4. Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
  5. Apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
  6. Interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
  7. Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts
Career opportunities

Customs and Border Protection Officer

Manage the security and integrity of a country’s borders.

Risk Analyst

Conduct specialist risk analyses of key national operations.

Security Advisor

Provide security insight and advice in private or public organisations.

Immigration Officer

Work to maintain effective immigration control based on the country’s immigration laws.

Entry requirements

Higher education

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Secondary education

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

VCE Pre-requisites

  • Applicants must meet the associated minimum ATAR score
  • Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL

Work and Life

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Credit for previous study or work

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.

Description

You will learn about the changing nature of security in a post-9/11 world. Topics covered include cybersecurity and the role of technology in contemporary warfare, as well as the major institutions and players in international politics, and strategies for countering violent extremism and radicalisation.

You’ll graduate with an understanding of the complex issues that inform and influence security, terrorism, and human rights, with the skills to contribute to the strategic and operational protection of national security.

This course is not available to international students.

Degree structure details

Recommended Study Pattern

Course Units

Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)

Australian Politics (POL10001)

International Politics (POL10002)

Australian Foreign Policy (POL20008)

Dictators and Democrats: Comparative Politics (POL20009)

International Relations and Security Studies (POL20010)

Conflict Resolution (POL20011)

Critical Perspectives on Terrorism (Capstone Unit) (POL30009)

Cybersecurity (POL30015)

Countering Violent Extremism (POL30016)

Introduction to Research Methods (PSY10005)

Sociological Foundations (SOC10004)

Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences (INS10001)

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 successful 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. Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • Four [4] core units of study in Security and Counter Terrorism (50 credit points);
  • Eight [8] units of study in the Security and Counter Terrorism major (100 credit points);
  • Four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points); and
  • Ten [10] units of study (125 credit points) comprising of a second major or co-major, and/or advanced minor, and/or minor/s, and/or electives. (A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from non-Social Science/Arts studies).

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 325 credit points comprising:

  • Four [4] core units of study in Security and Counter Terrorism (50 credit points);
  • Eight [8] units of study in the Security and Counter Terrorism major (100 credit points);
  • Two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and
  • Ten [10] units of study (125 credit points) comprising of a second major or co-major, and/or advanced minor, and/or minor/s, and/or electives. (A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from non-Social Science/Arts studies).

Award Requirements

To qualify for a Bachelor of Social Science (Security and Counter Terrorism), a student must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • Four [4] core units of study in Security and Counter Terrorism (50 credit points);
  • Eight [8] units of study in the Security and Counter Terrorism major (100 credit points);
  • Twelve [12] units of study (150 credit points) comprising of a second major or co-major, and/or advanced minor, and/or minor/s, and/or electives. (A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from non-Social Science/Arts studies).

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

A unit of study can only be counted once. Where there are overlaps between majors and/or minors, students in the first instance choose another unit from the list of units available in the major/minor. 

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