Australia's Approach to Law Enforcement
PostgraduateMAQ-PICX80422024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Look at the for-profit private security industry by examining methods, decision makers and stakeholders. You’ll analyse the working partnerships with the public, police and the wider law enforcement industry.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Australia's Approach to Law Enforcement
About this subject
On completion of the subject you will be able to:
- Analyse the history and development of public and private organisations in the delivery of public safety
- Examine the complexities of private/public sector safety and security relationships
- Critically evaluate the role and function of government in providing opportunities for the pluralisation in policing
- Evaluate the delivery of law enforcement services in differing public settings
- Evaluate the delivery of policing in differing private settings
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject was previously known as PICX842 Australia's Approach to Law Enforcement
Historically, the police, policing and law enforcement has been a localised function reflecting the customs, practices and traditions of an identifiable community, in this case Australia. The fact there are less than 10 policing organisations in the western world with more than 10,000 police (NSW Police Force being one) that police a population in the millions, is rare. Modern policing in Australia now addresses multiple crime types and government policy perspectives. This subject provides students with the opportunity to critically reflect upon the role of the police, how policing and law enforcement exist and how it is influenced by in social systems, legal systems, economic development, conflict and globalisation of crime. As part of that understanding, State based policing, national policing and their relationship to international policing and policy will be explored.
- Reflective writing (10%)
- Summary of podcast (25%)
- Annotated bibliography on a contemporary policing issue (25%)
- What is the function of the police! (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PICX842 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PICT842, PICX842
Pre-requisite Admission to MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or PGCertPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or MSecStrategicStudMCrim or MIntellMCrim or MCyberSecMCrim or MCTerrorismMCrim
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
PostgraduateMAQ-CRM-MAS
PostgraduateOUA-PSU-GCE
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.