Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Certificate in Criminal Justice is designed for students who want a shorter qualification in criminal justice rather than committing immediately to the full Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
• It is suitable for people considering a career change into criminal justice as well as people already working in the sector who want to strengthen their knowledge and skills.
• It provides foundational study of criminal justice and related areas including law, justice systems, culture, human behaviour and crime.
• The qualification can provide a pathway into UC’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
• Students can study either on campus or entirely online, providing flexibility for students who cannot attend campus.
• UC describes its Criminal Justice offering as unique in New Zealand, with multidisciplinary study covering areas such as criminology, sociology, psychology, policing, criminal law and human services.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification requires 60 points.

The compulsory component is:

• CRJU101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice – 15 points

Students then complete three elective courses from the approved Criminal Justice certificate schedules.

The current 2026 regulations include options such as:

Group 1:

• MAOR108 – Te Patu a Maui: The Treaty of Waitangi – facing and overcoming colonisation
• MAOR120 – He Takere Waka Nui
• MAOR165 – Tuakiri: Culture and Identity

Group 2 includes Criminal Justice and related subjects such as:

• CRJU120 – Special Topic: Understanding Human Behaviour in Criminal Justice
• CRJU150 – Legal Method in the Criminal Justice Context
• CRJU160 – Legal Issues in the New Zealand Criminal Justice System
• CRJU201 – Crime and Justice
• CRJU202 – Criminal Law for Criminal Justice
• CRJU210 – Special Topic

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements within the Certificate in Criminal Justice.

The official regulations explicitly state that there are no majors, minors or endorsements for this qualification.

The broader academic areas covered can include:

• Criminal justice
• Criminal behaviour
• Law and legal processes
• Justice systems
• Crime and society
• Human behaviour
• Maori and Indigenous perspectives
• Culture and identity
• Criminal law
• Criminal justice policy and reform.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point university qualification.
• NZQF Level 5.
• Can be completed in approximately six months full-time.
• Flexible part-time study available for up to four years.
• On-campus and fully online study options.
• Focused on criminal justice rather than a general law degree.
• Suitable for students considering careers in policing, corrections, justice, investigation and related public-sector areas.
• Can provide a pathway into UC's Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
• Completed Certificate courses can be transferred into the Bachelor of Criminal Justice subject to UC's rules; the regulations also provide for the Certificate to be subsumed into the Bachelor when the relevant conditions are met.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies the Certificate as relevant to careers in:

• Police and justice-sector roles
• Prisons
• Probation and parole
• Criminal justice policy
• Forensics
• Public investigation
• Private investigation
• Security
• Social work.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• UC's current Certificate page confirms Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry, 60 points and the 6-month full-time/up-to-4-year part-time structure.
• UC has expanded the online delivery of its Criminal Justice offerings. A January 2026 update from the Director of Criminal Justice specifically refers to the rollout of Certificate in Criminal Justice courses through UC Online.
• The 2026 UC regulations provide the current detailed course schedules and delivery locations.
• There are no majors, minors or endorsements in the Certificate.
• A student can progress towards the Bachelor of Criminal Justice through UC's transfer/subsumption arrangements.
• Some individual courses have prerequisites or approval requirements, so students should check the course regulations before selecting electives. For example, CRJU120 is subject to approval by the Head of Department in the 2026 schedule.
• There is no indication on the UC Certificate page of a criminal-record check as a general admission requirement for the Certificate itself.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student intending to study physically in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's circumstances and the approved study arrangement.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Demonstrating genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Satisfactory attendance and academic progress where applicable.