Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice (PGDipCJ) is a 120-point postgraduate qualification at the University of Canterbury designed for students who want to develop advanced knowledge and professional skills relevant to the criminal justice sector. UC highlights research, policy analysis, biculturalism, crime and rehabilitation theories, and practical professional skills.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced understanding of criminal justice systems and contemporary justice issues.
• Research-methods training relevant to criminal justice research.
• Development of policy-analysis and policy-evaluation skills.
• Understanding of crime, rehabilitation and justice processes.
• Focus on bicultural perspectives relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Opportunity to select an elective aligned with professional interests.
• Option to undertake a professional and community engagement internship.
• Practical exposure and potential industry connections through supervised internship opportunities.
• Flexible part-time study for students already working in the sector.
• Potential pathway into the Master of Criminal Justice and, subsequently, doctoral-level research.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGDipCJ consists of 120 points:

• 90 points compulsory
• 30 points elective.

Compulsory courses:

1. CRJU601 – Research Methods in Criminal Justice
   • 30 points
   • Semester 1, 2026
   • Campus
   • Develops research knowledge and skills relevant to criminal justice research.
2. CRJU602 – Criminal Justice Systems
   • 30 points
   • Semester 1, 2026
   • Campus
   • Examines criminal justice systems and their operation.
3. CRJU603 – Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
   • 30 points
   • Semester 2, 2026
   • Campus
   • Examines contemporary issues affecting criminal justice.

Elective:

Students choose one 30-point elective from the approved list:

• CRJU605 – Professional Cultures
• PACE495 – Professional and Community Engagement Internship
• POLS449 – Wicked Problems, Politics, and Justice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The PGDipCJ does not have formal majors, minors or endorsements.

Instead, students develop expertise through:

• Criminal justice research
• Criminal justice systems
• Contemporary criminal justice issues
• Professional cultures
• Professional/community engagement
• Politics and justice
• Policy and justice-related analysis.b

Programme Highlights

• 120-point postgraduate qualification.
• One-year full-time study option.
• February and July entry points.
• 90 points of compulsory study plus 30 points of electives.
• Research-methods training.
• Criminal justice systems analysis.
• Contemporary criminal justice issues.
• Professional and policy-oriented learning.
• Optional professional/community internship when available.
• Potential industry connections.
• No formal major, minor or endorsement.
• Pathway into the Master of Criminal Justice.
• Potential progression toward PhD-level study.

Career Outcomes

UC states that the programme develops professional skills sought by criminal justice-sector agencies.

Potential career areas include:

• Criminal justice policy
• Policy evaluation
• Policy consultation
• Criminal justice research
• Justice-system reform
• Criminal justice programme development
• Government and public-sector justice agencies
• Community and justice-sector organisations
• Professional roles within the broader criminal justice sector.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The programme is relatively new: the current regulations state that the PGDipCJ was first offered in 2025.

Important current points include:

• Programme regulations came into force on 1 January 2025.
• The qualification requires 120 points.
• There are no majors, minors or endorsements.
• The student's programme must be approved by the Executive Dean of Law or delegate.
• Students can potentially transfer completed PGDipCJ courses into the Master of Criminal Justice with approval.
• Students who fail up to 30 points may, with appropriate permission, be allowed to repeat the relevant course(s). 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student intending to live and study in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, provided the student meets Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

Current INZ requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an eligible scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence of ability/intention to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.