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

Accessibility links

Non-production environment - wwwtest.usc.edu.au
This page was archived on 19 March 2020 and is no longer updated.

Bachelor of Social Work / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice

Understand crime from a social perspective

Learn about the social causes and consequences of crime and disadvantage in this double degree. You’ll be taught about how sociological influences can impact offending and gain a deep understanding of Australia’s criminal justice system, including areas of law enforcement, crime policy, the court system and custodial and community corrections.

Study location
  • Sunshine Coast
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
088622J
Commence
Semester 1 or 2
Program length (full-time)
5 years
Annual tuition fee 2020
A$25,000
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$125,000
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.
  • Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
Study locations QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011221
  • Moreton Bay From 2021
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 16 Rank - 66
UniSC program code
AR363
Commence
Semester 1 or 2
Duration
5 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
Blended Learning
Fee type 2020
  • Commonwealth supported places
Total courses
40
Total units
480
Footnotes
  • Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.

Learn about the social causes and consequences of crime and disadvantage in this double degree. You’ll be taught about how sociological influences can impact offending and gain a deep understanding of Australia’s criminal justice system, including areas of law enforcement, crime policy, the court system and custodial and community corrections.

In this program you will:

  • Learn about social inequality and how to make a difference in the legal system
  • Complete two field placements where you’ll learn practical skills
  • Research crime-related issues and develop problem solving skills
  • Have the opportunity to complete a professional placement in your final year
  • Choose from specialist courses in criminal profiling and intelligence, youth justice and restorative justice, homicide, forensic science and more
Career opportunities
  • Mental health
  • Social research
  • Policy development and analysis
  • Organisational management
  • Community development and education
  • Government agencies
  • Community agencies
  • Private practice
  • Crime and justice research and policy
  • Youth advocacy and at-risk youth support
  • Crime victim support services
  • Offender transition-from-prison programs
Accreditation

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.

Program structure

Introductory courses (13) 156 units

COR109 Mathematics
COU176 Group Processes and Practice
COU180 Therapeutic Communication Skills
CRM101 Introduction to Criminology
CRM102 Understanding Crime
CRM103 Punishment and Corrections
CRM105 Policing
JST101 Justice and the Australian Legal System
SCS101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SCS110 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK100 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SWK172 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services

Developing courses (10) 120 units

CRM204 Applied Crime Prevention
CRM205 Criminal Law
CRM206 Professional Development
SCS225 Social Research
SWK200 Social Work Practice in Various Organisational Settings
SWK202 Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing
SWK251 Working with First Nations Peoples and Multicultural Communities
SWK277 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK278 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions
SWK286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change

Graduate courses (9) 108 units

CRM304 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
CRM308 Diversity, Crime and Justice
SWK300 Social Work Field Education 1(36 units)
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
SWK304 Direct Practice 1
SWK306 Direct Practice 2
SWK400 Social Work Field Education 2(36 units)
SWK401 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK407 Context Responsive Social Work Practice

Discipline elective courses (4) 48 units

Select 4 discipline elective courses (48 units) from:

CRM201 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
JST202 International Justice and Human Rights
CRM203 Homicide, Investigations & Forensic Science
CRM302 Youth Justice & Restorative Justice
CRM305 Professional Placement
CRM307 Crime Research Methods
CRM309 Working with Victims and Offenders *
CRM310 Introduction to Cyber Crime

Note: CRM307 is a recommended course for students wishing to enrol in the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice
(Honours) program.

*First offering in 2020

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 480

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.