Interested in criminal law and justice? Make a difference within the criminal justice system.
Put the law into context with this double degree. You'll have the opportunity to work in legal practice or across the related field of criminology.
- 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.
- # It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Only a full time option is available to international students studying on a Student visa.
- # It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Only a full time option is available to international students studying on a Student visa.
Put the law into context with this double degree. You'll have the opportunity to work in legal practice or across the related field of criminology.
You will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. You will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical skills right from your first year. For example, you will observe volunteer lawyers conducting client interviews at an advice clinic operated by Suncoast Community Legal Service.
You will research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in our new Moot Court venue. You can further develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice, or undertake a legal internship.
The Criminology component will hone your focus to the causes and impacts of crime, and what works in reducing crime and improving justice from an applied social science perspective. You'll be prepared for real world challenges through guest lectures and opportunities for practical learning.
Completion of this program ensures you meet the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. With a depth of knowledge and understanding in both law, and criminology and justice, graduates have extended career prospects.
Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Career opportunities
This double degree will be valuable for those graduates who intend to practise in criminal law. A broad range of career opportunities exist for graduates, in areas such as legal research, law reform research and policy development, advocacy, political advising; corruption and white collar crime investigations, prosecutions and crime prevention.
Registration
The degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. Graduates must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.
Program structure
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5)
COR109
LAW101
LAW102
LAW103
LAW104
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201
LAW202
LAW203
LAW204
LAW205
LAW206
LAW301
LAW302
LAW303
LAW304
LAW401
LAW402
LAW403
LAW404
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305
LAW306
LAW307
LAW309
LAW310
LAW311
LAW312
LAW313
LAW315
LAW316
LAW318
LAW405
LAW406
LAW407
LAW408
LAW409
LAW410
LAW411
LAW412
LAW414
LAW415
LAW416
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440
LAW441
Please note: Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator.
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (6)
CRM101
CRM102
CRM103
CRM105
SCS101
SCS110
Advanced courses (5)
CRM202
CRM204
CRM301
CRM304
SCS225
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering or USC Law School .
Suggested electives for Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice include:
CRM201
JST202
LGL202
CRM203
CRM302
CRM303
CRM305
CRM307
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete 5 introductory level (100 coded) required law courses including COR109
- Complete 14 advanced level (200/300/400 coded) required law courses
- Complete 6 law electives
- Complete 6 required introductory level (100 coded) criminology courses
- Complete 5 required advanced level (200/300 coded) criminology courses
- Complete 4 elective courses
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
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 including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law available for high performing students