Master of Fraud and Financial Crime

Delivered online, this course gives you the flexibility to fit study around your existing commitments.

Use research outcomes to develop policy

The primary aim of this financial crime master's is to produce graduates capable of successfully completing research that results in a distinct contribution to knowledge. On completion of this course you'll be capable of performing a range of research, policy and planning roles across industry, the finance sector, government agencies and departments, regulators, law enforcement agencies and academia.

Align your knowledge with current practice

As part of this program you'll undertake a study of practical fraud and financial crime control methodologies from across Australia and the rest of the world. You'll develop and implement your skills in identifying and researching current issues impacting upon your work environment, and transform the findings of your research into best practice policy. This course will also hone your ability to critically assess current policies and evaluate new and emerging trends in fraud and financial crime deterrence, prevention, detection and investigation.

Articulation agreements currently exist for a detectives training course at a well-known and well-regarded law enforcement agency, as well as for students who have successfully completed the Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) certification examination.

The Master of Fraud and Financial Crime from Charles Sturt University aims to meet the educational needs of those with responsibility for fraud and financial crime deterrence, prevention, detection and investigation in the public, corporate and law enforcement sectors.

Recommended study pattern

The courses consist of a coursework stream and a research stream, students are advised to verify their subject selection after completing the Graduate Certificate or equivalent subjects for enrolment in the correct stream.

Coursework

Graduate Certificate in Fraud and Financial Crime (32 points)

The following subjects:

JST542 Criminology of Financial Crime (Mandatory first enrolment)

JST546 Fraud and Financial

JST547 Technology and Financial Crime

Restricted elective subject (total of 8 points)

Graduate Diploma of Fraud and Financial Crime (64 points)

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate plus:

JST543 Ethics and Professional Practice

JST462 Corporate Governance

JST412 Financial Crime Control and Risk Management

Restricted elective subject (total of 8 points)

Master of Fraud and Financial Crime (96 points)

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma plus:

Compulsory subjects:

JST544 Leadership and Strategic Thinking

JST540 Independent Knowledge Integration: Theory and Professional Practice

Restricted elective subjects (total of 16 points) 

Research

Graduate Certificate in Fraud and Financial Crime (32 points)

JST542 Criminology of Financial Crime (Mandatory first enrolment)

JST546 Fraud and Financial Crime

JST547 Technology and Financial Crime

Restricted elective subject (total of 8 points)

Graduate Diploma of Fraud and Financial Crime (64 points)

Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate plus:

JST543 Ethics and Professional Practice

JST462 Corporate Governance

JST412 Financial Crime Control and Risk Management

JST544 Leadership and Strategic Thinking

Master of Fraud and Financial Crime (96 points)

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma plus:

JST530 Research Methodology and Dissertation Proposal (16)

JST531 Dissertation (16)

OR

EMG505 Work Based Project (16)

EMG506 Literature Review (16)

Restricted Electives

Choose from the following:

ACC501 Business Accounting & Finance

ACC549 Financial Literacy (2)

ACC585 Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation

ACG508 Accounting Standards, Applications and Disclosures  

ACG511 Interpreting and Communicating Accounting

ACG512 Data Analysis for Financial Decision-making

CCI551 Networking and Building Perspectives (2)

CCI552 Developing Media Relationships (2)

CCI553 External Communication Strategies (2)

CUS423 Environment Taxation

CUS520 Excise

CUS522 International Supply Chain Management

ECO511 Economics for Business

FIN516 Corporate Finance

FIN530 Financial Markets and Instruments

FIN531 Investments Analysis

GPM414 Organisational Communication

GPM425 Applied Management in Law Enforcement and Security

GPM428 Operational Command

ITC578 Dark Web

ITC595 Information Security

ITC596 IT Risk Management

ITC597 Digital Forensics

JST409 Investigations Principles

JST450 Introduction to Intelligence

JST452 Intelligence Management

JST495 Intelligence and Analytics

JST497 Multi-Agency Investigations

JST536 Emerging Issues and Professional Practices in Trans-national Crime Investigations

JST537 Regulation of Crime

JST538 Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Due Diligence

JST549 White-Collar Psychopaths (2)

JST550 Dark Markets (2)

JST551 Trade Based Money Laundering (2)

JST552 Dirty Money (2)

LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

LAW505 Taxation 1

LAW532 Negotiating and Managing Conflict (2)

LAW540 Australian Law & Legal System

LAW545 Taxation Strategies

MGM502 Leading Change (2)

MGM503 Motivating and Influencing People (2)

MGM505 Strategic Management (2)

MGM506 Strategic People Management (2)

MGT598 Business Research

Note: the 2-point micro-subjects are delivered in the micro-sessions (12, 32, 42, 52, 72, 82).

Award requirements

As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.

Master of Fraud and Financial Crime

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $37,440

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.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.

Learn more about CSU.

Explore CSU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

34

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

37

A completed Bachelor or Postgraduate Degree from a University or other Tertiary education provider (Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent) in a discipline area similar to the course profile, including:

• Financial Crime
• Policing
• Security
• Intelligence and Analysis
• Regulation
• Business
• Accounting
• Finance
• Law
• Criminology
• Criminal Justice (or similar).

OR

A completed Bachelor or Postgraduate Degree from a University or other Tertiary education provider (Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent) in any discipline area

AND currently EMPLOYED in a position in a discipline area similar to the course profile, including:

• Financial Crime
• Policing
• Security
• Intelligence and Analysis
• Regulation
• Business
• Accounting
• Finance
• Law
• Criminology
• Criminal Justice (or similar).

Three (3) years of full time work experience in a discipline area similar to the course profile. Discipline areas within the course profile include:

• Financial Crime
• Policing
• Security
• Intelligence and Analysis
• Regulation
• Business
• Accounting
• Finance
• Law
• Criminology
• Criminal Justice (or similar)
• Risk-based approaches to crime reduction
• Crime prevention strategies
• Money laundering and or the financing of terrorism typologies
• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing principles and guidelines.

OR

Provide the Course Director with sufficient evidence of capability to undertake the Master of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing.

If you’ve studied before, you may be able to fast-track your postgraduate degree with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, you could be awarded credit for your postgraduate degree. Get in touch to see if you’re eligible for credit based on your previous qualifications or industry experience.

Students who have successfully completed the Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) certification examination will be awarded a transfer credit (TCR) of 8 points.