Help make a difference in the 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) 60 units
COR109
LAW101
LAW102
LAW103
LAW104
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units):
LAW201
LAW202
LAW203
LAW204
LAW205
LAW206
LAW301
LAW302
LAW303
LAW304
LAW401
LAW402
LAW403
LAW404
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
LAW307
LAW310
LAW311
LAW312
LAW313
LAW315
LAW318
LAW405 Indigenous Legal Issues
LAW406 Legal Dispute Resolution
LAW407 Advocacy
LAW408 Planning and Environment Law
LAW409 Elder Law and Succession
LAW410 Intellectual Property
LAW411 Taxation
LAW412 Public International Law
LAW414 Private International Law
LAW415 International Human Rights Law
LAW416 Legal Internship
LAW417 Sports Law
LAW418 International Commercial Disputes
LAW419 Employment Law
LAW420 Health Law
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Family Law
LAW441 Anti-Discrimination Law
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) 72 units
CRM101 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
CRM102 Law Honours Thesis
CRM103 Introduction to Criminology
CRM105 Understanding Crime
SCS101 Punishment and Corrections
SCS110 Policing
Developing and Graduate courses (5) 60 units
CRM202 Foundations of Human Behaviour
CRM204 Applied Crime Prevention
CRM301
CRM304 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
SCS225 Social Research
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 elective courses (48 units) 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 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
JST202 International Justice and Human Rights
CRM203 Homicide, Investigations & Forensic Science
CRM302 Youth Justice & Restorative Justice
CRM303
CRM305 Professional Placement
CRM307 Crime Research Methods
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 no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses (180 units) 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) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- 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 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- 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