Intrigued by crime and why it happens? Passionate about playing a role to prevent it?
This program equips you with the knowledge and skills to understand and prevent crime. You will take a 360 degree view of the criminal justice system, its institutions, and how it all fits together. This will involve understanding legal institutions and processes, developing problem solving skills in crime-related issues, and examining fair and effective methods of crime prevention.
Formerly the Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies. If you commenced in this program please refer to your Previous Student Handbook
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
This program equips you with the knowledge and skills to understand and prevent crime. You will take a 360 degree view of the criminal justice system, its institutions, and how it all fits together. This will involve understanding legal institutions and processes, developing problem solving skills in crime-related issues, and examining fair and effective methods of crime prevention.
The program builds knowledge of the role of the justice system and examines policies impacting on the police, courts, corrections and many allied agencies. You will develop strong analytical skills and be given grounding in relevant ethical issues. Through your electives, you have the opportunity to explore criminal profiling, youth justice, homicide and international justice.
For your final year you can choose from a professional placement or research project, then apply what you’ve learnt and begin to make a difference. Broaden your horizons and choose to study part of your USC program abroad, through the Study Overseas program.
Expand your career options and study one of three double degrees on offer. Choose from Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice, Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice or Bachelor of Social Work / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice.
Further studies in this field can be completed through postgraduate studies in the Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy programs.
Career opportunities
You can find employment pathways in policing and law enforcement, custodial and community corrections, private and public security and intelligence, legal administration, paralegal work, advocacy, mediation, youth justice, child safety, crime prevention, research and policy, and therapies and rehabilitation. Employment opportunities cover a wide spectrum of government, business and community sector organisations in Australia and overseas.
Program structure
Introductory courses (8)
COR109 Strategy, Governance and Ethics
CRM101 Communication and Thought
CRM102 Foundations of Engineering
CRM103 Mathematics Foundations
CRM105 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
JST101 Calculus and Algebra
SCS101 Chemistry
SCS110 Physics
Advanced courses (6)
CRM202 Science Research Methods
CRM204 Introduction to the Creative Industries
CRM301 Introduction to Screen and Media Industries
CRM304 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
LGL201 Performance 1
SCS225 Creative Production
Elective courses (10)
Select 10 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these 8 must be advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
Suggested electives include:
CRM201 Acting 1: The actor's craft
CRM203 Exploring Twentieth Century Theatre
CRM302 Directing Performance: Contemporary Perspectives
CRM303 Acting 2: Contemporary Voice and Text
CRM305 Imagined Homelands: An Exploration of Australian Literature
CRM307 Writing for Screens
JST202 Theatre Production
LGL202 Devising Performance
#Electives can only be taken from the USC Law School if the student is enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Justice.
Please Note: Some courses in this program are offered fully online. Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)