Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Postgraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice develops advanced understanding of criminal justice theory, institutions, practices and contemporary issues in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• It is particularly suitable for professionals already working in criminal justice who want to upskill or deepen their knowledge.
• Students can develop introductory criminal-justice research skills and use real projects as a basis for study.
• The qualification provides a postgraduate entry point into further Criminal Justice study, including the Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice and Master of Criminal Justice. With approval, completed certificate courses can be transferred into the Diploma or Master's programme.
• UC describes its Criminal Justice teaching as covering law, psychology, the justice system, social and human services, policy and criminal justice reform.
• Students can choose between campus study and a fully online option, making the qualification relevant to both campus-based students and working professionals.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

For the on-campus version, students select two 30-point courses from the following:

• CRJU601 – Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• CRJU602 – Criminal Justice Systems
• CRJU603 – Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice.

This gives the certificate a total of 60 points.

The subjects cover three principal areas:

• Criminal justice research methods: developing introductory research skills and understanding how criminal justice research can be designed and undertaken.
• Criminal justice systems: examining the institutions, structures and operation of criminal justice systems.
• Contemporary criminal justice issues: investigating and critically evaluating current issues and challenges within criminal justice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

• Main discipline: Criminal Justice.
• There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Students instead develop knowledge across research methods, criminal justice systems and contemporary criminal justice issues.
• Related subject areas available elsewhere within UC's Criminal Justice offering include criminal law, psychology, policing, forensic science, linguistics, financial crime, social and human services, policy and criminal justice reform.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point postgraduate qualification.
• 6 months full-time or up to 2 years part-time.
• February or July start for the standard programme.
• On-campus and fully online study options.
• Designed particularly for people already working in criminal justice who want to upskill.
• Develops understanding of criminal justice institutions and contemporary issues in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Provides introductory criminal justice research skills.
• Can provide a pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice and Master of Criminal Justice, subject to the relevant requirements and approval.
• The qualification does not carry majors, minors or endorsements.
• Honours, Distinction and Merit are not awarded for this certificate.

Career Outcomes

UC states that the PGCertCJ develops advanced knowledge relevant to criminal, government and public sectors and can support careers involving:

• Criminal rehabilitation
• Policing
• Criminal justice policy development
• Security
• Social services
• Other criminal justice-related roles.

UC's wider Criminal Justice subject information identifies additional career areas including:

• Prisons
• Probation and parole
• Forensics
• Criminal justice policy and reform
• Public and private investigation
• Security
• Social work. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The PGCertCJ was first offered in 2025, making it a relatively new postgraduate qualification at UC.
• The current UC programme page is advertising 2027 postgraduate information.
• UC currently offers both campus and fully online versions.
• The online version has different term dates and a more prescribed course list.
• A student's programme of study must be approved by the Executive Dean of Law or delegate.
• The maximum completion period is 24 months.
• Students who fail up to 30 points may, with appropriate permission, repeat the course or courses. A student who fails more than 30 points will be withdrawn from the qualification.
• With approval, completed courses can potentially be transferred into the Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice or Master of Criminal Justice.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the on-campus PGCertCJ in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZD 850.
• Allows a stay of up to 4 years.
• Has 80% of applications processed within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an appropriate scholarship.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable insurance.
• Requires the applicant to meet the other visa requirements, including applicable health, character and genuine-intention requirements.