Master of Criminology

Graduates will be equipped to work in a range of government, non-government and private employment, including:

• State and federal policing agencies
• Federal intelligence services
• Australian Border Force
• Criminal justice administration
• Corrective services
• Cyber security

Higher education

Depending on your prior qualifications, work experience, or other recognised prior learning, you may qualify for entry to the course at one of the admission points below. 

Each admission point requires the completion of some or all of the course's zones  (see Course Structure) which will affect the overall duration of the course.

Core and Flexible Zones

• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent, and approved work experience, professional certification or other recognised prior learning, or
• AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65

Core Zone

• AQF level 8 bachelor honours or graduate diploma qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent, or
• Meet two of the following three criteria:
  • AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification in a related field or recognised equivalent
  • Minimum two years relevant approved work experience at a senior management level, professional certification or other recognised prior learning

AQF level 7 bachelor's qualification or recognised equivalent with a WAM of 65

Related Disciplines For Prior Qualifications:

• Social Sciences
• Humanities

Work and Life

Relevant Prior Work Experience, Professional Certification, Or Other Recognised Learning

Police Force, Customs/Border Force and Law (Seniority: Police – Senior Sergeant (equiv) or above, Public Service APS 5 (equiv) or above.)

English Proficiency Requirements

The required standard of English for this program is:

Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.

All applicants to coursework programs at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English. 

For more information on accepted equivalents, please see English Language Requirements.

You may be eligible for credit against individual subjects in your degree at Macquarie if you have additional postgraduate-level study or qualifications beyond those required for admission.

For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.

In studying this course you will develop skills in advanced criminology theory, applied criminological research and criminal justice policy analysis. The core units, provided through the Department of Security Studies and Criminology, focus on synthesising the latest developments in criminology theory with critical thinking skills in the context of domestic and international policing, as well as in the operation of Australian criminal courts and corrective services. Elective choice also allows you to focus on other areas including criminology, terrorism studies, cyber terrorism and border security.

Recommended Study Pattern

Master of Criminology students must complete eight or twelve subjects as required per the degree structure at the time of admission.

Please note: It is not recommended to enrol in more than 2 subjects per Session

Core Zone

Essential subjects: 50 credit points

• PICX8012 Critical Thought & Research Design
• PICX8042 Australia's Approach to Law enforcement
• PICX8062 The Crimes of the Powerful
• PICX8088 Advanced Criminology Theory
• PICX8089 Applied Criminology

Core Zone

Elective subjects

Option set 1: 10 credit points from:

• PICX8952 Simulation in Criminology
• PICX8962 Decision Making: Scenario Planning and Simulation in Criminology

Option set 2: 20 credit points from:

• PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
• PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
• PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
• PICX8080 Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Cyber Terrorism

Flexible Zone

Option set 1: 40 credit points from:

• PICX8013 History of Intelligence
• PICX8020 Advanced Terrorism Studies
• PICX8040 Cyber Crime and Cyber Policing
• PICX8043 International Terrorism
• PICX8045 Intelligence: Theory and Practice
• PICX8060 Geopolitics and Geostrategy
• PICX8061 Transnational Security
• PICX8080 Cyber Conflict, Cyber Espionage and Cyber Terrorism
• SOCX8015 Doing Social Survey Research
• SOCX8020 Evaluating Social Policy
• SOCX8035 Qualitative Methods for Policy 
• SOCX8080 Making Public Policy in a Globalised World

Total Credit points: 120

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Criminology students must complete eight or twelve subjects as required. Students must complete the essential subjects as indicated in the degree structure.

On completion of admission you are bound by the University Terms and Conditions and must comply with present and future By-laws, Rules, Codes, and Policies, Procedures and Schedules of Macquarie University

Students who did not commence their program in the current year are required to follow the program structure provided to them at the time of admission.

Applications are due the Friday two weeks prior to the close of enrolment date for the study session you are applying for.

Please note:

Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.

 https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia/degree-information.

Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.Please note:

Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

Students who complete their studies and submit the I Expect to Complete form via ask.mq.edu.au in Semester 1 may be able to graduate at the following September ceremony. Students who complete and submit the form in Semester 2 may be able to graduate at the following April ceremony.

From 2020  the Macquarie unit codes have changed. All units previously studied under the old unit code will be recognised as equivalent.