Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Causes of Crime

Describe the nature of criminal activity and analyse and evaluate the main causes of crime.

Impact of Crime

Systematically review and undertake research to evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community.

Comparing Global Crime Responses

Apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations.

Effective Communication

Effectively and persuasively communicate with legal and non-legal audiences.

Crime Management

Analyse information from a variety of sources to investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime.

Technology in Crime Management

Evaluate technological and other scientific approaches to reducing crime and dealing with the consequences of crime.

Teamwork

Function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. describe the nature of criminal activity and analyse and evaluate the main causes of crime.
2. systematically review and undertake research to evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community.
3. apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations.
4. effectively and persuasively communicate with legal and non-legal audiences.
5. analyse information from a variety of sources to investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime.
6. evaluate technological and other scientific approaches to reducing crime and dealing with the consequences of crime.
7. function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and critically reflect on individual performance.

During your Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, you will learn to demystify the criminal mind and assist victims and perpetrators to navigate the Australian legal system.

Your units will cover different causes of crime and the manner in which society – through the police, courts, corrections systems and victims support services – responds to crime.

The course examines local and global criminality, traditional approaches and responses to crime, as well as emerging trends and practices. It focuses on technological and other scientific advances which impact on the criminal justice sector, including an emphasis on predicting the commission of crime, detecting and stopping criminal behaviour and implementing effective and efficient criminal sanctions.

Recommended study pattern

Course Units

Introduction to Forensic Psychology (FOR10001)

Brain and Behaviour (PSY10007)

Policing: Systems and Practice (CRI20001)

Deviance, Difference & Conformity (SOC20020)

Corrections: Systems and Practice (CRI30002)

Fundamentals of Criminology (CRI10002)

Global Crime (CRI20002)

Youth Justice and Crime (CRI30010)

Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology (FOR30001)

Introduction to Law (LAW10021)

Law and Social Science (LAW10022 )

Criminal Law and Process (LAW10024)

Sentencing (LAW20030)

Crime and Punishment in the International Context (LAW20031 )

Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime (LAW20032)

Crime, Society and Culture (LAW30025 )

Professional placements

Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a professional placement where a relevant professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant professional degree, in order to complete a placement, and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

• 16 core units of study (200 credit points)
• 4 units of study of the professional placement co-major (100 credit points)
• 6 units of study comprising a minor and/or electives (75 credit points).

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:

• 16 core units of study (100 credit points)
• 2 units of study of the professional placement minor (50 credit points)
• 7 units of study comprising a minor and/or electives (87.5 credit points).

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, students must complete 300 credit points comprising:

• 16 core units of study (200 credit points)
• 8 units of other studies (up to 100 credit points) comprising of a co-major, minor/s or electives.

Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

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

Indicative total fee $50,976

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.

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

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19

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

14

Applicants are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:

•  successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international year 12 qualification OR completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees) OR if you don’t have a formal qualification, you may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
•  VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.

International students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before enrolling into a Swinburne Online degree by undertaking one of the following English language tests:

• the International English Language Test Score (IELTS); or
• the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.