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.
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)
COR109 Engineering Statics
SCS130 Calculus and Algebra
SCS172 Physics
Advanced courses (15)
SCS230 Fluids, Waves and Thermodynamics
SCS235 Biodiversity and Ecology
SCS251 Chemistry
SCS266 Science Research Methods
SCS277 Mechanics of Materials
SCS278 Earth's Surface Processes
SCS285 An Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Technology
SCS290 Hydrology and Geomorphology
SWK301 Structural Engineering
SWK302 Soil Mechanics
SWK303 Soil Properties, Processes and Rehabilitation
SWK401 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
SWK402 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
SWK404 Engineering Computer Programming
SWK407 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (7)
CRM101 Engineering Materials
CRM102 Plant Diversity and Ecology
CRM103 Engineering Research Methodology
CRM105 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
JST101 Coastal Geomorphology
SCS101 Numerical Analysis
SCS110 Engineering Project Management
Advanced courses (6)
CRM202 Construction Technology
CRM204 Restoration Ecology
CRM301 Population Ecology and Genetics
CRM304 Engineering Project 1
LGL201 Engineering Sustainable Design
SCS225 Advanced Soil Mechanics
Elective courses (3)
Select 3 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Suggested electives include:
CRM201 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
JST202 Special Field Studies Topic
CRM203 Special Research Project
CRM302 Workplace Learning I
CRM303 Engineering Project 2
CRM305 Design of Roads and Drainage
CRM307 Concrete Structures and Technology
SCS286 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
SCS295 Communication and Thought
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 no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
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)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- 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 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)