Criminal psychology courses

A criminal psychology course is the study of criminals and behaviour, to understand what makes people think about, plan and commit crimes. It can also extend to studying the broader systems and individuals that impact or are impacted by crime. This includes looking at the legal and justice systems, sociological drivers and impacts of crime, and the experiences of victims as well as criminals.

Through Open Universities Australia, you can either upskill by enrolling in standalone criminal psychology subjects, or complete a full qualification.

You can apply your knowledge of criminal psychology in a variety of legal and justice roles, whereas forensic psychology is a formal field of psychology that requires a significant amount of study.

To become a registered forensic psychologist, you first need to become a certified psychologist and then seek endorsement in the field of forensic psychology from the Psychology Board of Australia.

Through Open Universities Australia, you can access courses offered across criminal psychology, forensic mental health and psychology.

What you learn in a criminal psychology course depends on the specific course, but will generally cover one or more aspects of criminology—what makes people commit antisocial acts, the psychological drivers and impacts of criminal acts, and the broader systems that interact with crime in society.

Individual criminal psychology subjects will generally focus on one aspect of this wide and complex field, while a degree offers a more generalist and holistic skill set.

It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide: 

If you study a degree in criminal psychology through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

A criminal psychology degree can lead to roles across many industries, including:

• Criminology and forensics: analysing criminal behaviour and contributing to investigations.

• Social work or victim advocacy: supporting victims of crime and their families.

• Prison systems: working as a behavioural therapist or correctional counsellor.

• Criminal justice and the courts: assisting with casework, profiling or rehabilitation programs.

• Research and academia: exploring the causes and impacts of criminal behaviour.

Reach out to our student advisors to learn more about the job prospects available to graduates.

Enrol in a single subject to get a taste of the content for any qualification you’re interested in. The subjects available through us are covered by HELP funding, which means eligible students aren’t obligated to pay for their studies upfront.

Or book a free phone consultation with a student advisor to discuss your available study options. We’ll help you find the course that suits you best.

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course.

Chat with us to find out more.

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

• Browse the options on this page.

• Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.

• Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.

2. Start your enrolment

• When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

• Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

• You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

  • Proof of identity

  • Your tax file number

  • A Unique Student Identifier (USI)

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

If you’re interested in the world of crime, justice and human behaviour but aren’t sure criminal psychology is the perfect fit, there are plenty of related areas worth exploring.