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 Children & the Law
PSY101 Law Professional Practice
PSY102 Competition and Consumer Law
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Advocacy
PSY201 Legal Dispute Resolution
PSY202 Elder Law and Succession
PSY203 Intellectual Property
PSY204 Public International Law
PSY205 International Human Rights Law
PSY300 Legal Internship
PSY301 Sports Law
PSY302 Employment Law
PSY303 Health Law
PSY304 Family Law
PSY305 Cultural Legal Studies
PSY306 Honours Research Methods, Design and Confirmation
PSY307 Law Honours Thesis
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (6) 72 units
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
Developing and Graduate courses (5) 60 units
CRM204 Introduction to Human Development
CRM205 Social Psychology
CRM206 Motivation and Emotion
CRM304 Advanced Methods in Psychology
CRM308 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 discipline elective courses (48 units) from:
CRM201 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
JST202 Personality and Assessment
CRM203 Human Associative Learning
CRM302 Abnormal Psychology
CRM305 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
CRM307 Adult Development and Ageing
CRM309 Introduction to Criminology
CRM310 Understanding Crime
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.