Understand the psychology of crime.
Interested in the psychology of crime? This double degree gives you an in-depth understanding of the motivations and consequences of criminal behaviour, as well as 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.
- ^First year of the program will be delivered at Moreton bay in 2021, with subsequent years rolled out incrementally.
- Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^First year of the program will be delivered at Moreton bay in 2021, with subsequent years rolled out incrementally.
- Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
Interested in the psychology of crime? This double degree gives you an in-depth understanding of the motivations and consequences of criminal behaviour, as well as crime-related applications of psychology. You'll examine the professional practice of psychology and develop an understanding of the scientific basis of psychological research.
In this degree you will:
- Learn about human behaviour, including cognitive, social, perceptual, physiological, intercultural, Indigenous and abnormal psychologies
- Understand legal institutions and processes, and examine fair and effective methods of crime prevention
- Learn how to research crime-related issues and develop problem solving skills
- Choose from specialist courses in criminal profiling and intelligence, youth justice and restorative justice, homicide and forensic science, and more
Accreditation
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
- Law enforcement
- Crime victim support services
- Intelligence
- Custodial corrections officer
- Community corrections officer
- Criminologist/crime researcher
- Security/intelligence analyst
- Probation and parole officer
- Criminal justice policy officer
- Child safety officer
- Criminal justice advocate
- Human resource manager
- Youth support officer
- Disability support officer
- Customs and border protection officer
Program structure
Psychology courses
Introductory courses (3) 36 units
PSY100 Families: challenges, critique and change
PSY101 Critical Social Work in Health
PSY102 Introduction to Psychology A
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY201 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY203 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY204 Physiological Psychology
PSY205 Introduction to Human Development
PSY300 Social Psychology
PSY301 Motivation and Emotion
PSY302 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY303 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY304 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY305 Personality and Assessment
PSY306 Human Associative Learning
PSY307 Abnormal Psychology
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (6) 72 units
CRM101 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
CRM102 Adult Development and Ageing
CRM103 Introduction to Criminology
CRM105 Understanding Crime
JST101 Punishment and Corrections
SCS110 Policing
Developing and Graduate courses (5) 60 units
CRM204 Justice and the Australian Legal System
CRM205 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
CRM206 Applied Crime Prevention
CRM304 Criminal Law
CRM308 Professional Development
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 discipline elective courses (48 units) from:
CRM201 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
JST202 Diversity, Crime and Justice
CRM203 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
CRM302 International Justice and Human Rights
CRM305 Homicide, Investigations & Forensic Science
CRM307 Youth Justice & Restorative Justice
CRM309 Professional Placement
CRM310 Crime Research Methods
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- 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
- The unit value of all courses is 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 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.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.