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Study graduate diploma online through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

The Graduate Diploma of Criminological Research Studies is an 80 credit point program designed to provide graduates in the criminology and criminal justice discipline with the opportunity to undertake advanced study in research methodology and to undertake supervised research work in the discipline area appropriate to their research trajectory.The program provides the necessary preparation for entry into a higher degree research program (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or equivalent program) for applicants who do not possess the required qualifications for direct admission into these programs. The program will also be available to students who wish to undertake advanced studies in the identified disciplinary fields but who may not wish to progress to MPhil or PhD study.Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to apply for admission to MPhil or PhD candidature subject to fulfilment of the requirements for candidature as specified in the <a href="http://policies.griffith.edu.au/pdf/Higher%20Degree%20Research%20Policy.pdf" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Higher Degree Research Policy</a>. The grade achieved will determine eligibility for admission to either a PhD or MPhil candidature.The Program Director will be responsible for the overall supervision of students in the program and for monitoring their progress throughout the program.Students may choose to exit the Graduate Diploma program (after successfully completing the specified courses) with the Graduate Certificate in Criminological Research Studies.

Become an expert in criminal justice methodology. Develop a thesis on the subject of your choice. Hone your skills under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Use your qualification as a stepping stone into a Masters Degree or PhD.

Graduate Diploma of Criminological Research Studies

Crime and Mental Health

Understanding Victims and Offenders

Fraud and Cybercrime

Crime and Criminal Justice

Gender, Crime and Justice

The Criminal Justice System

Introduction to Criminology

Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime

Critical Issues in Criminology

Mental Disorder and Crime

Although associations between crime and mental illness have a long history, the relationship is complex and contentious. Problem areas include media representations and social constructions of violent offenders, methodological and conceptual inconsistencies, and limited appreciation of the heterogeneity of mental health issues. This subject of study aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the evidence concerning the crime-mental health relationship. Factors other than mental illness that may be associated with violence and general criminality are explored, as are ethical challenges relating to this area. Particular mental disorders most often linked with criminality are examined and the relevant evidence is evaluated. Based on the content of this subject of study, students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical challenges and provide recommendations for best practice for both empirical research and policy.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Delve into the complex relationship between crime and mental illness. Examine links between offending, violence, mental disorder, and substance abuse. Get critical with an evidence-based approach that separates media representations from actual research.

The subject begins with a broad examination of cybercrime and moves to a specific focus on cyber fraud. The subject explores contemporary criminological theoretical approaches to explaining cyber fraud, analyses offender methodologies and examines cyber fraud victimology. The subject addresses contemporary approaches to prevention and enforcement in Australia and across the world. The role of relevant government, law enforcement, regulatory agencies and the corporate and private sector in the prevention and detection of cyber fraud is addressed.

Understanding and Preventing Cyber Fraud

Some people are more likely to commit particular crimes than are other people. Some people are more likely to become victims of crime than are other people. This subject of study explores variables that relate to victims and offenders. Serial victims and serial offenders are examined. Sexual crimes, violent crimes and family violence will be spotlighted and evidence relevant to victims, offenders and the decisions that they make will be assessed. Students will explore the methodological challenges associated with researching victims and offenders, and consider how the research evidence can translate to good practice within criminal justice contexts.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Understand why some people are more likely to commit particular crimes than others, and why certain citizens are more likely to be victims of these crimes. Cover sexual crimes, violent crimes and family violence in particular. 

This is a survey subject that aims to introduce students to the central concepts of modern theories of crime, linkages with their historic antecedents and criteria for evaluating theoretical validity. A range of different perspectives will be presented covering the dominant sociological and psychological explanations of crime and criminality. On completion, students will have an understanding of the nature of theory, the ideas of key theorists and have the ability to critically evaluate theoretical explanations.Using an inter-disciplinary approach, this course explores how offenders and offending have been conceptualised, and the consequent implications for the criminal justice system and interventions /programs that we develop and implement to address offending. There are a diverse range of theoretical frameworks used to understand crime; in this course we will particularly focus on sociological, psychological, biological, and situational/environmental perspectives. The types of policies and interventions which have been promoted, and adopted to respond to offenders, have been influenced by the extent to which weight is given to individual, social or environmental factors.This subject will consider how different theoretical approaches can be applied to understand a selection of contemporary crime problems, the strengths and weaknesses of different explanations and the implications for prevention and intervention.

Through the lens of sociological, psychological and biological perspectives, you’ll appreciate how offenders and offending have been conceptualized. Use your learning to articulate the resulting implications on the criminal justice system.

Criminological Theories

Forensic psychology concerns the application of psychology to the understanding and operation of legal and criminal justice systems. Theories and knowledge from a broad range of domains can be applied within forensic contexts. This subject of study demonstrates how knowledge from the domains of biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental health psychology have been successfully employed to address forensic questions and issues. Students are presented with an introduction to key areas of forensic psychology and major theories of crime are offered and evaluated. Societal constructions of criminality and the changing nature of criminality are examined. Psychological explanations of crime are applied to contemporary issues and appraised. Potential limitations of psychology within forensic settings are explored.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Untangle the ‘why’ behind crime by better understanding the perpetrators psyche. You’ll consider how elements such as biology, personality and mental health impact are at play. Get an introduction to forensic psychology and major theories of crime. 

The subject was formerly known as PICX889 Applied Criminology Practice and PolicyThis unit offers an invaluable scholarly perspective to analyse the effectiveness of contemporary criminal justice practice and policies. This unit enables students to develop a criminological understanding of the operation of various facets of the criminal justice system, particularly police, courts and corrective services and their limitations. Students will critically evaluate crime reduction and prevention strategies currently employed both in Australia and overseas, and will formulate practical and effective solutions to real-world contemporary crime problems. This includes using official crime information and data to present and report on policy outcomes and agendas. Students will be able to critically understand the structure and functioning of the criminal justice system, evaluate criminal justice policies, design, develop crime prevention and reduction strategies as well as evaluate the efficacy and possibilities of alternative approaches to both crime prevention and incarceration.

Drawing on your knowledge of Australian and international criminal justice practices and policies, formulate solutions to real-world crime problems. With a focus on police, courts and corrective services, evaluate current crime reduction strategies.

Crime and Social Policy

This unit introduces students to scenario planning and simulation (serious game) techniques as critical thinking tools in the context of security policy analysis and planning. In the first modules, students are introduced to the broad logic and use of scenarios and simulations, as well as to their strengths and weaknesses. The second part of the unit is structured around one main contemporary security and criminology-related question that is examined in detail using scenario planning techniques and the conduct of a serious game. Students enrolled in this unit will take the role of the criminologist.

Decision Making, Scenario Planning and Simulation in Criminology

This subject was formerly known as PICX952 Simulation in Criminology
This subject provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired during their program of study to a real world crisis. After being exposed to theoretical concepts of scenario-building, role-playing and decision-making, students will experience the challenges of solving problems and finding solutions to real world crises during a dynamic simulation. They will be part of a team that includes students with different skill sets and knowledge, including strategists, intelligence analysts, criminologists, counter terrorism experts, and cyber security analysts. Students enrolled in Simulation in Criminology will perform the role of the criminologist. Their mission will be to formulate policy-oriented solutions by applying their theoretical knowledge and practical skills, including the use of crime prevention/deterrence tools. As part of a team, students will learn how to develop ministerial briefing papers during a crisis situation and how to make policy recommendations.

Work with peers on a simulated real-world crisis. Calling on your studies to date, apply criminology theory to your team role as a criminologist. Draft briefing papers and make policy recommendations to combat crime in this role-playing scenario.

Simulation in Criminology

This subject was previously known as MAQ-PICX888 Advanced Criminology Theory.What is criminological theory and how can it help better understand and respond to ongoing social challenges? Delving into the intricate landscape of criminological theories, the unit addressing this foundational question by offing an advanced understanding of the historical and contemporary frameworks shaping the discipline. The course navigates through key theories, examining their historical evolution and contemporary applications. Starting with early positivistic approaches, through to more critical perspectives that focus on issues relating gender, race, sexuality and Indigeneity, students will be able to critically analyse the theoretical underpinnings of crime and deviance as well as explore the diverse perspectives from classical to critical criminology. Emphasis is be placed on synthesizing and applying theories to ‘real-world’ contexts, fostering an applied and nuanced comprehension of criminal behaviour and justice systems.

Understand how crime intersects with social, political, cultural and economic elements of life. Learn and evaluate advanced contemporary criminology theory. Cover left and right realism, cultural criminology, opportunity and deterrence theories.

Advanced Criminology Theory

The subject was formerly known as PICX862 The Crimes of the PowerfulThis subject examines crimes committed by powerful individuals and institutions: white collar crimes, corporate crimes and state crimes. From the Nazi death camps of WWII, to the Bhopal and BHP Gulf oil spill environmental disasters of more recent decades, the most harmful crimes are not those committed by offenders on the &#39;street&#39;, but rather by individuals and organisations occupying the most influential and privileged positions in our societies. This unit reorients the criminological gaze upwards, away from traditional street offenders and towards the most powerful criminals who occupy corporate boardrooms, parliaments and military organisations. Students will explore contemporary examples of each of these types of offence, examine the characteristics of powerful offenders, and address why crimes of this magnitude often go unaddressed by both contemporary criminologists and our systems of criminal justice.

Gaze back at some of the most powerful and criminal individuals and institutions. Categorise types of crime, such as white collar and state crime. Study notorious offenders and criminal acts, including the BHP oil spill and Nazi death camps.

The Crimes of the Powerful

Graduate Diploma Criminology Courses & Degrees | Open Universities Australia

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