Help make a difference in the justice system.
Put the law into context with this double degree. You'll have the opportunity to work in legal practice or across the related field of criminology.
- 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.
- # It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Only a full time option is available to international students studying on a Student visa.
- # It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Only a full time option is available to international students studying on a Student visa.
Put the law into context with this double degree. You'll have the opportunity to work in legal practice or across the related field of criminology.
You will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. You will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical skills right from your first year. For example, you will observe volunteer lawyers conducting client interviews at an advice clinic operated by Suncoast Community Legal Service.
You will research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in our new Moot Court venue. You can further develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice, or undertake a legal internship.
The Criminology component will hone your focus to the causes and impacts of crime, and what works in reducing crime and improving justice from an applied social science perspective. You'll be prepared for real world challenges through guest lectures and opportunities for practical learning.
Completion of this program ensures you meet the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. With a depth of knowledge and understanding in both law, and criminology and justice, graduates have extended career prospects.
Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Career opportunities
This double degree will be valuable for those graduates who intend to practise in criminal law. A broad range of career opportunities exist for graduates, in areas such as legal research, law reform research and policy development, advocacy, political advising; corruption and white collar crime investigations, prosecutions and crime prevention.
Registration
The degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. Graduates must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.
Program structure
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5)
COR109 Understanding Cultural Diversity
LAW101 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
LAW102 Social Research
LAW103 Gender and Culture
LAW104 Communication and Thought
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Introductory Counselling Skills and Theory
LAW202 Introduction to Psychology A
LAW203 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
LAW204 Social Work and Human Services Practice
LAW205 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
LAW206 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LAW301 Ethics and Professional Practice
LAW302 Group Processes and Practice
LAW303 Regions, Change and Sustainability
LAW304 Human Services Placement 1
LAW401 International Community Development and Global Justice
LAW402 Working With Families
LAW403 An Introduction to Australian and Comparative Politics
LAW404 Indigenous Australia and the State
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
LAW306 Human Services Placement 2
LAW307 Community Development and Social Action
LAW309 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and Practice
LAW310 Communication and Thought
LAW311 Introduction to Psychology B
LAW316 Introduction to Psychology A
LAW318 Current Directions in Psychology
LAW405 Visual Literacy: Design Principles and Practice
LAW406 Introduction to Design
LAW407 Graphic Design A
LAW408 Graphic Design B
LAW410 Graphic Design C
LAW411 Graphic Design D
LAW412 Graphic Design E - Internship/Professional Project
LAW414 Graphic Design F - Professional Portfolio
LAW415 Introduction to Design
LAW416 Graphic Design A
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Graphic Design B
LAW441 Graphic Design C
Please note: Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator.
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (6)
CRM101 Communication and Thought
CRM102 Human Physiology
CRM103 Biodiversity and Ecology
CRM105 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS101 Cell Biology
SCS110 Chemistry
Advanced courses (5)
CRM202 Science Research Methods
CRM204 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
CRM301 Molecular Biology
CRM304 Genetics
SCS225 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering or USC Law School .
Suggested electives for Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice include:
CRM201 Plant Diversity and Ecology
JST202 Biochemistry
CRM203 Introduction to Mathematics
CRM302 Mathematics Foundations
CRM303 Communication and Thought
CRM305 Cell Biology
CRM307 Human Physiology
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
- Complete 5 introductory level (100 coded) required law courses including COR109
- Complete 14 advanced level (200/300/400 coded) required law courses
- Complete 6 law electives
- Complete 6 required introductory level (100 coded) criminology courses
- Complete 5 required advanced level (200/300 coded) criminology courses
- Complete 4 elective courses
- 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
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law available for high performing students