Course overview

Develop a new understanding of crime in Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science, as you explore the social justice and rehabilitation themes that intertwine with why crime occurs.

Not only will you be able to study two of your interests, you will graduate with two sought-after degrees and a wealth of study and career options.

The psychological science stream of the course is professionally accredited, meaning you can graduate and enter the workforce with excellent job opportunities, or continue your studies with further training to gain general registration as a psychologist.

Everything you learn, from forensic psychology techniques to a deep understanding of criminal justice, is enhanced by practical learning. You will even get the chance to undertake a psychology placement in your final year. Apply your skills in a real-world setting and get a taste for your future role under the guidance of industry professionals.

Do you want to understand the true reasons why crime occurs – and how to address it with empathy?
 

If you are interested in the many areas where psychology and criminology overlap, this is the degree for you. Whether it is crime prevention or the subsequent justice and rehabilitation of offenders, you will develop knowledge and an understanding of the ‘why’ behind psychological science. This will put you in high demand when starting your career.

By studying the two disciplines simultaneously, you will gain broad, theoretical, applied knowledge and skills concerning:

• the meaning of crime
• the forms, causes and consequences of crime
• the different institutions and processes involved in preventing and controlling crime
• policy development
• policing and security.

The psychological science component of this combined course recognises the importance of, and interrelationships between, a range of human factors you will encounter in your future career. You will explore diverse areas of psychology, including behavioural neuroscience, cognitive psychology, forensic psychology and psychopathology, and be able to use this knowledge when analysing the causes and consequences of crime.

In this combined course, you will have the opportunity to complete two careers-focused units, which bring your new profession to the classroom (including online) with practitioner-driven seminars, activities bridging theory and practice, and the development of an e-portfolio that can be used for employment or career development.

Additionally, you will get the chance to build real-world experience by electing to undertake the Psychology at Work (Internship) unit in your final year of study, giving you 140-hours of practical psychology industry placement, strengthening your employment prospects.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science students must complete 32 credit points. Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344) and Bachelor of Criminology (A329) must be satisfied.^

16 credit points of Arts course grouped units and 16 credit points of Health course grouped units

^No more than 10 credit points at level 1

Psychological Science

4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology (HPS104, HPS105, HPS111, HPS121)

8 credit points of Psychology Essentials (HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS301, HPS307, HPS308, HPS310)

4 credit points of Psychology in Practice (HBS110, HPS206, HPY210, HPY306) 

Criminology

6 credit points of Criminology core units (ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302)

At least 6 credit points of Criminology course electives (ACR coded units) taken at level 2 or above

At least 4 credit points at level 3 including ACR301 and ACR302

Up to 4 credit points of electives chosen from Arts course grouped units.

AAI018 Academic Integrity (0 credit point compulsory unit)

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Additional course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. 

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Recognition of prior learning

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.

Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

Entry pathways

Alternative exits

• Bachelor of Criminology (A329)
• Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344)

Careers

Career outcomes

Promising career opportunities await in the areas of criminology and psychology. You may find employment in areas such as:

• government agencies
• state and federal police
• security and intelligence agencies
• research and policy development
• correctional services
• community services
• private security and consultative industries.

Students wanting to take the next step towards becoming a psychologist must apply for an honours year (e.g. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology). Once completed, you will be able to gain provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

If you are ready to take your psychology career further, the option to gain general registration as a psychologist is available by undertaking a masters or doctorate qualification in psychology.

Professional recognition

All of the psychology courses offered at Deakin meet the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) translating into excellent job and career opportunities for our graduates. Upon graduation of this degree, you’ll have gained a three-year undergraduate psychology sequence that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and recognised for registration purposes by the PBA, enabling you to undertake additional study in pursuit of provisional registration.