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 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.
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 Introduction to Marketing
SCS130 Accounting for Business
SWK172 Introduction to Informatics
Developing and Graduate courses (15) 252 units
SCS230 Strategic Management
SCS235 Consumer Behaviour
SCS251 Services Marketing
SCS290 Business Analytics
SWK266 Marketing Communication
SWK277 Sport and Event Marketing
SWK278 Marketing of Social Causes
SWK285 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
SWK301 International Marketing(48 units)
SWK302 Brand Management
SWK303 Communication and Thought
SWK401 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK402 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SWK404 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory(48 units)
SWK407 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
CRM101 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
CRM102 Understanding Cultural Diversity
CRM103 Mental Health and Social Work
CRM105 Working With Children, Youth and Families
JST101 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SCS101 Health & Mental Health in Australia
SCS110 Social Work Field Education 1
Developing and Graduate courses (6) 72 units
CRM202 Community Development and Social Action
CRM204 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
CRM301 Critical Social Policy Analysis
CRM304 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
LGL201 Social Work Field Education 2
SCS225 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
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 Introduction to Criminology
JST202 Understanding Crime
CRM203 Punishment and Corrections
CRM302 Policing
CRM303 Justice and the Australian Legal System
CRM305 Foundations of Human Behaviour
CRM307 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SWK286 Diversity, Crime and Justice
SCS295 Applied Crime Prevention
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)