Criminal justice courses

You'll gain a broad understanding of the legal system and its role in maintaining order in society. Expect to cover topics such as: 

• Criminology and criminal behaviour  
• Policing, law enforcement practices and corrections 
• Criminal law and the Australian legal system 
• Crime prevention and rehabilitation 
• Human rights ethics 

If you have an interest in the criminal mind and how the justice system operates, then a criminal justice course could be the right fit for you. With the knowledge you gain, you will have the adaptability to move between a variety of rewarding, in-demand careers across law enforcement, corrections and community services.  

Importantly, you can study with a sense of purpose, knowing you will go on to make a difference. You could work on crime prevention strategies in the community, advocate for the fair treatment of our most vulnerable within the legal system, or support the rehabilitation of offenders. The opportunities are endless.  

Entry requirements for criminal justice courses vary depending on the level of study. Make sure you read the relevant course page carefully for more information.   

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, we can help! You can get into certain criminal justice undergraduate degrees through us without needing an ATAR. You start with 2 to 4 single subjects instead, and then transition into the full degree from there.  

Speak with us today about how to make this happen. 

Earning a degree in criminal justice can open the door to a range of careers in law and order.  

Opportunities you might pursue include:  

• Police officer  
• Detective 
• Court support officer 
• Corrections or probation officer 
• Border security or customs officer 
• Policy advisor 
• Criminologist  
• Youth justice worker 
• Intelligence officer

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.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

You might be interested in one of these closely related study areas. They all lead to careers where you can push for a just society:  

Still not sure what path you’d like to take? You can book a chat with us to get personalised advice on your options.