This degree is no longer offered. You may be interested in other courses in Criminal justice
Bachelor of Criminology and Justice
Undergraduate
USC-CRJ-DEG 2024Course information for 2024 intake
Examine crime and crime prevention
Get to know Australia’s criminal justice system. You’ll study crime, punishment, corrections, and policing. Take a look at crime through a social lens and explore human behaviour. Electives include cyber crime, human rights, and professional placement.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Criminology and Justice
About this degree
- Understand legal institutions and processes, and examine fair and effective methods of crime prevention
- Learn how to research crime-related issues and develop problem-solving skills
- Choose from specialist courses in criminal profiling, cybercrime, international justice, youth justice, homicide and forensic science, and more
- Have the chance to complete a professional placement in your final year
Develop a strong understanding of Australia’s criminal justice system, including law enforcement, crime policy, the courts, and custodial and community corrections. Explore the motivations and consequences of criminal behaviour, along with questions of social justice, ethics and law reform.
Recommended study pattern
This program is offered full-time or equivalent part-time. Each study period, you have the choice to switch between full-time and part-time study. Full-time study is enrolling in three or more courses per study period, while part-time study is one or two courses per study period.
The recommended study pattern is subject to change based on study period of enrolment. To learn more about the courses you will undertake in this program please refer to program structure.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
- CRM101 Introduction to Criminology
- CRM102 Understanding Crime
- CRM103 Punishment and Corrections
- CRM105 Policing
- JST101 Justice and the Australian Legal System
- SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
- SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
Developing and Graduate courses (6) 72 units
- CRM204 Applied Crime Prevention
- CRM205 Criminal Law
- CRM206 Professional Development
- CRM304 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
- CRM308 Diversity, Crime and Justice
- SCS225 Social Research
Discipline Elective courses (5) 60 units
Select five (5) discipline electives from:
- CRM201 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
- CRM203 Homicide, Investigations & Forensic Science
- CRM302 Youth Justice & Restorative Justice
- CRM305 Professional Placement
- CRM307 Crime Research Methods
- CRM309 Working with Victims and Offenders
- CRM310 Introduction to Cyber Crime
- JST202 International Justice and Human Rights
Elective courses (6) 72 units
Select 6 elective courses (72 units) from the undergraduate elective course options including discipline electives listed above. Of these electives, 3 (36 units) must be developing or graduate level (200/300 coded) courses.
Program notes
The total number of units required to complete the program is 288 units.
The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
Program structures are subject to change
Award requirements
To attain the award of Bachelor of Criminology and Justice, students are required to
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses (120 units)
Exit points
Diploma in Criminology and Justice Studies
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $48,960
The amount shown here is 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.
University of the Sunshine Coast's teaching has been awarded 5 stars for the past 16 years. They're young, fresh and doing big things with far-reaching impacts, like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, and producing award-winning alumni. Innovative thinking that moves everyone forward is their philosophy. Together with their people, community and partners, they're building a supported environment of learning, networking and opportunities.
Learn more about UniSC.
Explore UniSC courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 37
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 36
Entry requirements
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent
- Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank: 50.00
- Recommended prior study: English
You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into university, If you:
- have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
- have a TAFE/VET qualification
- have relevant work experience, or
- have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)
UniSC accepts applications for multiple study periods throughout the year. These include Semester 1 applications which usually close in February, Semester 2 applications which usually close in July, as well as session-based and trimester-based study periods. As part of your application, UniSC will share information about the next available study period for this program.
If you've completed prior study or have relevant work experience, you may, under specified conditions, be eligible for credit towards your UniSC degree.
Career opportunities
- Community corrections officer
- Criminal justice policy officer
- Criminologist/crime researcher
- Custodial corrections officer
- Police or law enforcement officer
- Security/intelligence analyst
- Youth justice officer
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Customs Officers | $75K to $93K | N/A^ |
Detectives | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Intelligence and Policy Analysts | $93K to $120K | Up 22.6% |
Police | $93K to $120K | Up 10.8% |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Prison Officers | $93K to $120K | Up 27.7% |