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.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
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 Intermediate Japanese 1
SCS130 Intermediate Japanese 2
SWK172 Advanced Japanese 1: Language for Japanese Media
Developing and Graduate courses (15) 252 units
SCS230 Advanced Japanese 2: Language for Work and Study
SCS235 About Japan: Current Perspectives
SCS251 Languages and Linguistics: Understanding human communication
SCS290 Introductory Japanese 1
SWK266 Introductory Japanese 2
SWK277 Intermediate Japanese 1
SWK278 Intermediate Japanese 2
SWK285 Advanced Japanese 1: Language for Japanese Media
SWK301 Advanced Japanese 2: Language for Work and Study(48 units)
SWK302 Introductory Japanese 1
SWK303 Introductory Japanese 2
SWK401 About Japan: Current Perspectives
SWK402 Languages and Linguistics: Understanding human communication
SWK404 Communication and Thought(48 units)
SWK407 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
CRM101 Social Work and Human Services Practice
CRM102 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
CRM103 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
CRM105 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
JST101 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS101 Mental Health and Social Work
SCS110 Working With Children, Youth and Families
Developing and Graduate courses (6) 72 units
CRM202 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
CRM204 Health & Mental Health in Australia
CRM301 Social Work Field Education 1
CRM304 Community Development and Social Action
LGL201 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
SCS225 Critical Social Policy Analysis
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 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice
JST202 Social Work Field Education 2
CRM203 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
CRM302 Introduction to Criminology
CRM303 Understanding Crime
CRM305 Punishment and Corrections
CRM307 Policing
SWK286 Justice and the Australian Legal System
SCS295 Foundations of Human Behaviour
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)