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.
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
- Campus note: Subject to external accreditation for USC Moreton Bay campus offering.
- ^Semester 2 commencement not available in 2019
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) 36 units
COR109 Newsroom
SCS130 Communication and Thought
SWK172 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Developing and Graduate courses (15) 252 units
SCS230 Social Work and Human Services Practice
SCS235 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
SCS251 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SCS290 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
SWK266 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK277 Mental Health and Social Work
SWK278 Working With Children, Youth and Families
SWK285 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
SWK301 Health & Mental Health in Australia(48 units)
SWK302 Social Work Field Education 1
SWK303 Community Development and Social Action
SWK401 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
SWK402 Critical Social Policy Analysis
SWK404 Organisational Contexts for Social Work Practice(48 units)
SWK407 Social Work Field Education 2
Criminology courses
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
CRM101 Context Responsive Social Work Practice
CRM102 Introduction to Criminology
CRM103 Understanding Crime
CRM105 Punishment and Corrections
JST101 Policing
SCS101 Justice and the Australian Legal System
SCS110 Foundations of Human Behaviour
Developing and Graduate courses (6) 72 units
CRM202 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
CRM204 Diversity, Crime and Justice
CRM301 Applied Crime Prevention
CRM304 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
LGL201 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
SCS225 Criminal Law: An Introduction
Elective courses (3) 36 units
Select 3 elective courses (36 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Suggested electives include:
CRM201 Social Research
JST202 Criminal Profiling
CRM203 International Justice and Human Rights
CRM302 Homicide
CRM303 Youth Justice
CRM305 Restorative Justice and Mediation
CRM307 Professional Placement
SWK286 Crime Research Methods
SCS295 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
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
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.