Bachelor of Criminology and Justice | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Criminology and Justice

Understand the nature and causes of crime.

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

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
059490A
Commence
Semester 1 and Semester 2
Program length (full-time)
3 years
Annual tuition fee 2019
A$23,200
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$69,600
Footnotes
  • 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.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011181
  • Moreton Bay From 2021
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 18 Rank - 64
UniSC program code
AR325
Commence
Semester 1 and Semester 2
Duration
3 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
Face-to-face delivery supported by online resources offered in an official teaching period
Recommended prior study
English
Fee type 2019
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
24
Total units
288

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) 96 units

COR109 Applied Geospatial Analysis
CRM101 Changing Planet Earth
CRM102 Introducing Human Geographies
CRM103 Hydrology and Geomorphology
CRM105 Mapping with Drones
JST101 Coastal Geomorphology
SCS101 Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
SCS110 Communication and Thought

Developing and Graduate courses (6) 72 units

CRM202 Introduction to Criminology
CRM204 Understanding Crime
CRM301 Punishment and Corrections
CRM304 Policing
LGL201 Justice and the Australian Legal System
SCS225 Foundations of Human Behaviour

Elective courses (10) 120 units

Select 10 elective courses (120 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these 8 (96 units) must be developing and graduate level (200/300 coded) courses.

Suggested electives include:

CRM201 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
CRM203 Diversity, Crime and Justice
CRM302 Applied Crime Prevention
CRM303 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
CRM305 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
CRM307 Criminal Law: An Introduction
JST202 Social Research

Please Note: Some courses in this program are offered online. Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 288

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 (120 units)
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
  • The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specifed
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
  • Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)