Intrigued by crime and why it happens? Passionate about playing a role to prevent it? This program gives you the skills to help the world understand the nature and causes of crime and an opportunity to play a role in preventing it.
You will take a 360 degree view of the criminal justice system, its institutions, and how it all fits together. This will involve understanding legal institutions and processes, developing problem solving skills in crime-related issues, and examining fair and effective methods of crime prevention.
Formerly the Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies, if you commenced in this program please refer to your Previous Student Handbook
- 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.
You will take a 360 degree view of the criminal justice system, its institutions, and how it all fits together. This will involve understanding legal institutions and processes, developing problem solving skills in crime-related issues, and examining fair and effective methods of crime prevention.
The program builds knowledge of the role of the justice system and examines policies impacting on the police, the courts, and corrections. You will develop strong analytical skills and be given grounding in relevant ethical issues.
Career opportunities
You can find employment pathways in police and law enforcement, private and public security and intelligence agencies, legal administration, child safety, crime prevention organisations, advocacy and the courts, paralegal, and criminal and social justice agencies in Australia and overseas.
Program structure
Note: This program was formerly the Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies. If you commenced in the Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies please refer to the previous student handbooks.
Introductory courses (8)
COR109 Sport and Event Marketing
CRM101 Communication and Thought
CRM102 Introduction to Criminology
CRM103 Understanding Crime
CRM105 Punishment and Corrections
JST101 Policing
PSY100 Justice and the Australian Legal System
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A
Advanced courses (6)
CRM202 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
CRM204 Minorities and Criminal Justice
CRM301 Applied Crime Prevention*
CRM304 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
LGL201 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
SCS225 Criminal Law: An Introduction
Elective courses (10)
Select 10 elective courses from either faculty or school (Faculty of Arts and Business, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, USC Law School#). Complete no more than 2 introductory level (100 coded) courses.
Suggested electives include:
CRM201 Social Research
CRM203 Criminal Profiling
CRM302 Homicide
CRM303 Youth Justice
CRM305 Restorative Justice and Mediation
CRM306 Professional Placement
JST202 Research Project
LGL202 International Justice and Human Rights
#Electives can only be taken from the USC Law School if the student is enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Justice.
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 8 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 6 required advanced level (200/300 coded) courses.
- Complete 10 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- The electives can be used to complete an additional minor.
- 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. It is advisable to contact your Faculty Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.