Understand crime from a social perspective
Learn about the social causes and consequences of crime and disadvantage in this double degree. You’ll be taught about how sociological influences can impact offending and gain a deep understanding of Australia’s criminal justice system, including areas of law enforcement, crime policy, the court system and custodial and community corrections.
- 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.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
Learn about the social causes and consequences of crime and disadvantage in this double degree. You’ll be taught about how sociological influences can impact offending and gain a deep understanding of Australia’s criminal justice system, including areas of law enforcement, crime policy, the court system and custodial and community corrections.
In this program you will:
- Learn about social inequality and how to make a difference in the legal system
- Complete two field placements where you’ll learn practical skills
- Research crime-related issues and develop problem solving skills
- Have the opportunity to complete a professional placement in your final year
- Choose from specialist courses in criminal profiling and intelligence, youth justice and restorative justice, homicide, forensic science and more
Career opportunities
- Mental health
- Social research
- Policy development and analysis
- Organisational management
- Community development and education
- Government agencies
- Community agencies
- Private practice
- Crime and justice research and policy
- Youth advocacy and at-risk youth support
- Crime victim support services
- Offender transition-from-prison programs
Accreditation
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.
Program structure
Introductory courses (12) 144 units
COU176 Advanced Games Programming
COU180 Introduction to Game Design
CRM101 Introduction to Games Programming
CRM102 Introduction to Game Production
CRM103 Experimental Game Design
CRM105 Video Game Analysis and Design
JST101 Interactive Narrative: Puzzles and Quests
SCS101 Interactive Narrative: Characters and Worlds
SCS110 Project Management
SCS130 Introduction to Game Design
SWK100 Introduction to Game Production
SWK172 Experimental Game Design
Developing courses (10) 120 units
CRM204 Video Game Analysis and Design
CRM205 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
CRM206 Therapeutic Communication Skills
SCS225 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
SWK200 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
SWK202 Group Processes and Practice
SWK251 Introductory Counselling Skills
SWK277 Introduction to Criminology
SWK278 Understanding Crime
SWK286 Punishment and Corrections
Graduate courses (10) 168 units
CRM304 Policing
CRM308 Justice and the Australian Legal System
CRM309 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SWK300 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology(36 units)
SWK302 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SWK304 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SWK306 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
SWK400 Applied Crime Prevention(36 units)
SWK401 Criminal Law
SWK407 Professional Development
Discipline elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 discipline elective courses (48 units) from:
CRM201 Social Research
JST202 Organisations: Communication Skills for Practice
CRM203 Mental Health and Wellbeing
CRM302 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
CRM305 Working With Children, Youth and Families
CRM307 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions
CRM310 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
Note: CRM307 is a recommended course for students wishing to enrol in the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice
(Honours) program.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
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.