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.
- 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.
- * 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 (4)
COR109 Fundamentals of Photography
PSY100 Art, Design and Digital Culture
PSY101 Design Futures
PSY102 Photographic Narratives
Advanced courses (14)
PSY200 Photomedia Curation
PSY201 Visual Communication & Meaning
PSY202 Sensing Environments
PSY203 Design Capstone
PSY204 Art, Design and Digital Culture
PSY205 Design Futures
PSY300 Sensing Environments
PSY301 Design Capstone
PSY302 Honours Reading Course
PSY303 Introduction to Research Concepts and Design
PSY304 Qualitative Research Methods
PSY305 Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
PSY306 Dissertation
PSY307 Communication and Thought
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (6)
CRM101 Introduction to Psychology A
CRM102 Introduction to Psychology B
CRM103 Current Directions in Psychology
CRM105 Research Methods in Psychology A
JST101 Research Methods in Psychology B
SCS110 Physiological Psychology
Advanced courses (6)
CRM202 Introduction to Human Development
CRM204 Social Psychology
CRM301 Motivation and Emotion
CRM304 Advanced Methods in Psychology
LGL201 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
SCS225 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Suggested electives include:
CRM201 Personality and Assessment
JST202 Human Associative Learning
LGL202 Abnormal Psychology
CRM203 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
CRM302 Adult Development and Ageing
CRM303 Introduction to Criminology
CRM305 Understanding Crime
CRM307 Punishment and Corrections
SCS286 Policing
SCS295 Justice and the Australian Legal System
Note: Program structures are subject to change. 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:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- 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
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression