Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice

Address criminal behaviour through understanding the psychology of crime.

Designed to prepare you for a career in psychology and criminology, this double degree explores the psychological dimensions of crime and crime-related applications of psychology. You'll examine the professional practice of psychology and develop an understanding of the scientific basis of psychological research.

Commences Semester 1 2016. Program is subject to external accreditation

CRICOS code
088621K
Commence
Semester 1
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Semester tuition fee 2016
A$10,300
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$82,400
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.
  • * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year psychology courses at Gympie. Only first-year psychology courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs. International students can study at the Sippy Downs campus only.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011231
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 16 Rank - 65
UniSC program code
AR364
Commence
Semester 1
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Fee type 2016
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
32
Total units
384
Footnotes
  • * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year psychology courses at Gympie. Only first-year psychology courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs. International students can study at the Sippy Downs campus only.

Designed to prepare you for a career in psychology and criminology, this double degree explores the psychological dimensions of crime and crime-related applications of psychology. You'll examine the professional practice of psychology and develop an understanding of the scientific basis of psychological research.

You will learn from award-winning psychology staff and have the opportunity to participate in paid research assistant work in your second or third year of study. As a part of the Criminology component, you'll become prepared for real world challenges through guest lectures and opportunities for practical learning.

Earning two qualifications upon completion, graduates gain a competitive advantage in employment areas such as prisons and community correction and in offender management programs. There is also greater scope for employment in organisations in addressing issues such as integrity testing and workplace misconduct prevention.

This course is designed to meet the national accreditation requirements adopted by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). You can complete further study to become a registered psychologist, clinical psychologist or pursue an academic career.

Career opportunities

Employment destinations include crime and justice research and policy work; counselling / support work; human resource management; youth support; disabilities support; policing (state, federal, specialist); security practice and management; safety; intelligence; customs and border protection; child protection; crime victim support services; community conferencing; consumer protection; ombudsman and anti-corruption agencies; regulatory investigations, and many others.

 

Program structure

Psychology courses

Introductory courses (3)

COR109 Research Project F
PSY101 Communication and Thought
PSY102 Introduction to Psychology B

Advanced courses (14)

PSY200 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY203 Physiological Psychology
PSY204 Introduction to Human Development
PSY205 Social Psychology
PSY300 Motivation and Emotion
PSY301 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY302 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY303 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY304 Personality and Assessment
PSY305 Human Associative Learning
PSY306 Abnormal Psychology
PSY307 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing

Criminology courses

Introductory courses (7)

CRM101 Adult Development and Ageing
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 (2)

Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Suggested electives include:

CRM201 Social Research
JST202 Criminal Profiling
LGL202 International Justice and Human Rights
CRM203 Family Law: Legal Frameworks and Issues
CRM302 Homicide
CRM303 Youth Justice
CRM305 Restorative Justice and Mediation
CRM306 Professional Placement
SCS286 Research Project
SCS295 Disability: Culture, Community and Change

Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • Complete 3 introductory level (100 coded) required psychology courses including COR109
  • Complete 14 advanced level (200/300/400 coded) required psychology courses
  • Complete 7 required introductory level (100 coded) criminology courses
  • Complete 6 required advanced level (200/300 coded) criminology courses
  • Complete 2 elective courses 
  • Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
Program notes
  • Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
  • 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 Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.