Course Overview

About This Course

ACU's Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice explores the causes of antisocial behaviour and develops the knowledge and expertise needed to make a valuable contribution in the criminal justice sector, covering the complex causes and impact of crime and the legal and social policies that keep us safe. It includes studies in forensic psychology, forensic science, cybercrime, border protection and biosecurity, and understanding violence and trauma. Alongside it, ACU's undergraduate psychology programs develop knowledge and applicable skills valuable to the enhancement of human functioning across professional settings, and graduates complete a sequence in psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) at Level 1.

Combining the degrees gives graduates wider insights than a three-year single degree: knowledge of the legal system and criminology provides a competitive edge, psychological study assists those seeking a career in the justice sector, and criminology study supports those aspiring to become forensic psychologists. The course requires 320 credit points: 140 credit points of psychology specified units and 140 credit points of criminology and criminal justice units (120 criminology specified and 20 human rights specified), plus 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units, a 10 credit point community engagement unit and a 10 credit point elective. In third year students can take units carrying 25 hours of community engagement in psychology (PSYC310) and/or 80 hours of community engagement or work placement experience in criminal justice (LCRM304). ACU notes that seven years of education and training is the minimum for general registration as a psychologist through this double degree. The course is offered at ACU's Melbourne, North Sydney and Strathfield campuses.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $13,952

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not offered this intake

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: Assumed Knowledge - English (Standard) (Band 2) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) (Band 3)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Indicative ATAR: 60.00 (Melbourne), 60.00 (North Sydney), 60.00 (Strathfield)
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.
ACU also assesses applicants on recent secondary education, prior VET study, and work and life experience.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

International students

International applicants need a recognised international high school qualification and must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Applicants whose first language is not English must have either successfully completed at least two full-time years of study in secondary or higher education where the medium of study was English, or demonstrated their English proficiency by completing an English Language Test with a minimum accepted result as set out in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, Schedule 4: Evidence of English Language Proficiency.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

• Policy advisor
• Reintegration worker
• Police (state, territory or federal)
• Immigration and border protection official
• Community corrections officer
• Child welfare and protection
• Community work
• Marketing and market research
• Health
• Education
• Human resources

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units78 units

PSYC100

Foundations of Psychology

PSYC101

Applications of Psychology

PSYC108

Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques

PSYC110

Research Design and Data Analysis 1

PSYC200

Life Span Development

PSYC212

Abnormal Psychology

PSYC220

Personality and Individual Differences

PSYC226

Research Design and Data Analysis 2

PSYC227

Social Psychology

PSYC307

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC314

Psychological Assessment

PSYC315

Brain and Behaviour

PSYC323

Research Design and Data Analysis 3

PSYC324

Learning and Behaviour

LCRM101

Introduction to Criminology

LCRM104

Juvenile Justice

LCRM105

Violent Crime and Society

LCRM106

Introduction to Criminal Justice System and Policy

LCRM107

Introduction to Research for Law, Human Rights and Criminal Justice Studies

LCRM108

Criminal Law for Criminology & Human Rights Studies

LCRM109

Public Law for Criminology & Human Rights Studies

LCRM202

Police Studies

LCRM203

Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law

LCRM206

Victimology

LCRM207

Corrections and Rehabilitation of Offenders

LCRM302

Customs, Border Protection and Biosecurity

LHRG111

Human Rights and Indigenous People

LHRG207

Human Rights and Criminal Justice

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

PSYC310

Psychological Services Experience

LCRM304

Community Engagement

PSYC310

Psychological Services Experience

LCRM304

Community Engagement

PSYC207

Culture and Psychology

PSYC208

Organisational Psychology

PSYC215

Evolutionary Psychology

PSYC219

Psychology of Religion

PSYC221

Psychology of Eating Behaviour

PSYC222

Health Psychology

PSYC223

Psychology of Sexuality and Gender

PSYC224

Emotion and Social Cognition

PSYC225

Applied Positive Psychology

PSYC317

Introduction to Neuropsychology

PSYC322

Critical Thinking and Research Skills for Psychology

LAWS111

Indigenous Peoples and International Law

ECON225

Economics of Crime and Punishment

LCRM208

Green Criminology

LCRM209

Crime, Media & Popular Culture

LCRM211

Arrest and Detention

LCRM212

Terrorism

LCRM213

International Criminal Law

LCRM303

Criminology Research Project

LCRM311

Corruption and White-Collar Crime

LCRM312

Mental Disorder and Criminal Justice

LHRG306

Human Rights Advocacy

LCRM313

Restorative Justice

LCRM307

Issues In Ethical Policing

LCRM306

Criminal Justice Ethics

LAWS110

Of Civil Government and Indigenous Peoples

LAWS202

Comparative Legal Systems

LAWS216

Native Title Law and Practice

LAWS217

Philosophy of Law and Justice: Indigenous Peoples

LAWS215

Housing and Rental Law

LAWS312

International Study Tour

LAWS318

Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual Property

LAWS319

Oceans and Land Law: Just Terms

LAWS407

International Human Rights Law

LHRG106

Human Rights and Business Regulation

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total tuition fee for the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice?

The estimated total tuition cost for international students is AU$146,496, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$36,624 across the four years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

How long does this dual degree take to complete?

The course has a duration of 208 weeks.

Where can I study this course?

This course is available at three campuses: Australian Catholic University North Sydney Campus (NSW), Strathfield Campus (NSW), and Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus (VIC), all of which are owned and operated by the provider.

Does this course include a work component?

Yes, this course includes a work component of 5 hours per week over 16 weeks, totalling 80 hours.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

To be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights, a course must meet several criteria including being in 'Registered' status, being a Skills Level 1 Qualification, having a duration of 92 weeks or greater, and having a narrow Field of Education that aligns with the Skills Level 1 priority list, among other requirements. The CRICOS code for this course is 111753B and eligibility is reviewed yearly.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $50,000 to $65,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Police OfficerIntelligence AnalystPolicy Officer – Crime and JusticeCorrections OfficerYouth Justice Worker

Key Skills

Critical analysis of crime theories and criminal behaviourResearch design, data collection, and quantitative/qualitative analysisPolicy evaluation and evidence-based policy developmentUnderstanding of Australian criminal law and the justice systemRisk assessment and offender management frameworks

Full Course Overview

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