Understand the social causes and consequences of crime.
This double degree provides graduates with a comprehensive knowledge of the social causes and consequences of crime and disadvantage; including dimensions of disability, mental health, gender, ethnicity, race, poverty, employment and locality.
- 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 2024 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.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
This double degree provides graduates with a comprehensive knowledge of the social causes and consequences of crime and disadvantage; including dimensions of disability, mental health, gender, ethnicity, race, poverty, employment and locality.
You will gain enhanced skills in a range of specific social and criminology knowledge areas, as well as high levels of literacy and information and communication technology skills, equipping you for work in the human service and/or criminal justice industries.
Within the social work component you will benefit from teaching staff that include practising social workers. You'll also gain valuable practical experience in field education opportunities. The social work component of the program is fully accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers, and prepares professionals to work with individuals, families, groups and communities.
Career opportunities
Graduates are eligible to work in a broad range of industries and roles including mental health, social research, policy development and analysis, organisational management, community development and education, in government, community agencies and private practice. Enhanced employment prospects created by the criminology components of the degree include crime and justice research and policy, youth advocacy and at-risk youth support, crime victim support services, and offender transition-from-prison programs.
Program structure
Social Work courses
Introductory courses (3) 36 units
COR109 Machine Component Design
SCS130 Robotics and Autonomous Systems
SWK172 Engineering Computer Applications and Interactive Modelling
Developing and Graduate courses (15) 252 units
SCS230 System Dynamics and Control
SCS235 Communication and Thought
SCS251 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS290 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SWK266 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SWK277 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK278 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SWK285 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK301 Mental Health and Social Work(48 units)
SWK302 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK303 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK401 Health & Mental Health in Australia
SWK402 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK404 Community Development and Social Action(48 units)
SWK407 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
CRM101 Critical Social Policy Analysis
CRM102 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
CRM103 Social Work Field Education 2
CRM105 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
JST101 Introduction to Criminology
SCS101 Understanding Crime
SCS110 Punishment and Corrections
Developing and Graduate courses (6) 72 units
CRM202 Policing
CRM204 Justice and the Australian Legal System
CRM301 Foundations of Human Behaviour
CRM304 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
LGL201 Diversity, Crime and Justice
SCS225 Applied Crime Prevention
Elective courses (3) 36 units
Select 3 elective courses (36 units) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Suggested electives include:
CRM201 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
JST202 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
CRM203 Criminal Law: An Introduction
CRM302 Social Research
CRM303 Criminal Profiling
CRM305 International Justice and Human Rights
CRM307 Homicide
SWK286 Youth Justice
SCS295 Restorative Justice and Mediation
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
In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid Blue Card, throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
- Travel to attend field education placements
- Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester
Program notes
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Heath Institute
- 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
- Most courses are valued at 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 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.
- Apply for your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)