Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice
PostgraduateGRF-MCJ-MAS2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Contemporary criminological theory in practice
Deepen your knowledge of the justice system and gain insight into key policy debates and contemporary research methods. Graduates find roles in criminal justice related fields such as crime prevention, community health and local government.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 16 Feb 2025,
- 29 June 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice
About this degree
The Masters Degree (Coursework) qualifies individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.
KNOWLEDGE
Graduates of the Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Coursework) will have:
- an advanced body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in criminology and criminal justice and related policy environments
- knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to criminology and criminal justice.
SKILLS
Graduates of the Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Coursework) will have:
- cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on criminological theory and professional practice
- cognitive and technical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex crime-related problems, concepts and theories and to apply established criminological theories to different bodies of knowledge or operational practice in criminal justice agencies
- cognitive and technical skills to generate and evaluate complex contemporary crime and criminal justice ideas and concepts at an abstract level
- communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to key stakeholder groups in the criminal justice system
- technical and communication skills to theorise, design, analyse and evaluate about evidence based policies that contribute to criminal justice system practice or scholarship.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Graduates of the Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Coursework) will demonstrate the application of knowledge & skills:
- (with initiative) to new situations in professional criminal justice system practice and/or for further learning
- with high level personal autonomy and accountability
- to plan and execute a substantial research-based project and/or piece of scholarship.
Postgraduate studies in criminology and criminal justice provide a pathway to professional advancement for those working in these fields. The degrees are designed to provide an overview of criminological theory and research, the workings of the criminal justice system and allied organisations, insight into key policy debates and an understanding of research methods.
The degrees introduce social and psychological explanations of crime, as well as contemporary debates in criminological theory. Beyond the core elements of the degree in policing, community development, crime prevention, law and behaviour and social science research methods you will have the opportunity to study electives from criminal justice, research practice, policing, corrections and crime prevention.
Recommended study pattern
- Students must complete 8 core subjects to complete this degree.
- Start with CCJ744 Applied Criminological Theory
Award requirements
From 2025
To be eligible for the award of Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ), a student must acquire 80 credit points of core courses (4 core subjects and 4 core elective subjects).
Prior to 2025
To be eligible for the award of Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ), a student must acquire 120 credit points as prescribed below:
- gain 70 credit points (6 core subjects including double subject CCJ747 Independent Project) and
- gain 50 credit points (5 elective subjects).
- from 2016 the maximum period for completing this program is 4 years
Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Criminology must complete the following subjects in the Masters program and one of the listed electives.
- CCJ744 Advanced Criminological Theories
- CCJ736 Quantitative Skills for Criminologists
- CCJ737 Qualitative Skills for Criminologists
- CCJ722 Research and Evaluation Methods
- CCJ740 Justice and Crime
- CCJ747 Individual Project
Choose your subjects
Electives
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
When you have completed your final session of study, OUA students should notify Griffith University of their intention to graduate with the award of Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Please contact Griffith (OUA) Services on oua.programsupport@griffith.edu.au
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
2025 Changes
Students who commenced the program prior to 2025 can complete the pre-2025, 120CP structure (as below), or new 80CP structure.
Pre-2025 - 120CP Program Structure:
- 70CP Core Subjects
- CCJ744 Applied Criminological Theory (previous name "Advanced Criminological Theories")
- CCJ740 Justice and Crime
- CCJ722 Research and Evaluation Methods
- CCJ747 Individual Project (20CP)
- CCJ736 Quantitative Social Research (previous name "Quantitative Skills for Criminologists")
- CCJ737 Qualitative Social Research (previous name "Qualitative Skills for Criminologists")
- 50CP Elective Subjects from the list
- CCJ733 Intelligence Led Policing
- CCJ730 Interventions for Correctional Clients
- CCJ715 Minority Populations in Forensic Mental Health
- CCJ714 Advanced Risk Assessment and Management in Forensic Mental Health
- CCJ750 Interventions and Recovery in Forensic Mental Health (Clinical)
- CCJ707 Law and Behaviour (not offered from 2025)
- CCJ713 Mental Disorder and Crime
- CCJ723 Developmental Crime Prevention
- CCJ755 Understanding and Preventing Cyber Fraud (new subject)
Students who have already completed the new 80CP structure and wish to graduate under the new structure should contact Griffith (OUA) Services at oua.programsupport@griffith.edu.au with their intention to graduate.
Students who are NOT eligible to complete the 80CP structure and need to continue with the 120CP program should notify Griffith University of their intention to graduate with the 120CP Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Please contact Griffith (OUA) Services at oua.programsupport@griffith.edu.au
- 70CP Core Subjects
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $39,750
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.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 18
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 20
Entry requirements
This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Hold a three-year related* Bachelor degree with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale)
*Criminology, Social Justice, Law, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to these programs are as follows:
- A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5
- OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
- OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
- OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by GELI or ISLPR Language Services only)
- OR a minimum grade of C on the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
- OR a minimum score of 68 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic).
English test results must be no more than two years old.
RPL/Credit may be awarded according to Griffith University policies and applicants are encouraged to contact the degree coordinator for further information.
Career opportunities
Graduates from this degree typically pursue careers in criminal justice-related fields, including crime prevention, community development, security, policing, corrections, family services, law, justice administration and policy, customs, mental and community health, local government, military services and criminal justice research organisations.
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% |
^ There is no data available
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
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You can enrol without entry requirements
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You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
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Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply 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 a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.