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TAFE

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TAFE

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Apply Today Download Brochure

100% Online Course

Bachelor of Social Science With a Major in Criminology

  • Qualification

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    3 years full time or equivalent part time

  • Units

    24

  • Start Date

    Mar, Jul, Nov

Overview of the course

Overview of the course

If crime, the criminal mind and corrections fascinates you, consider a Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Criminology.

With a strong focus on psychology, law and society, this industry-recognised criminology degree gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those affected by crime.

You will understand why crimes are committed and how crime impacts society. Topics include the detection and prevention of crime, including policing issues and offender profiling. You will investigate how the corrections system works, including ethics and prison experiences and populations.

By examining the motivations behind criminal activity, you gain the skills to analyse trends, formulate policies and create systems for crime prevention.

Our graduates work in all areas of the justice system, from victim support to corrections programs.

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What are the entry criteria?

Non-Year 12 entry

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Read our Applying and Enrolling FAQs.

The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Year 12 entry

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

VCE Pre-requisites

  • Applicants must meet the associated minimum ATAR score
  • Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL

If you are applying as an international student, please view the English Language Requirements.

The main benefits of online study are balance, time management and convenience. If I’m working late or if I’m interstate I just have to power up the computer and start studying.

Cassandra, Swinburne Online graduate

Course Units

Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)
Sociological Foundations (SOC10004)
Australian Politics (POL10001)
Introduction to Research Methods (PSY10005)
Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences (INS10001)
Introduction to Forensic Psychology (FOR10001)
Fundamentals of Criminology (CRI10002)
Policing: Systems and Practice (CRI20001)
Cyber Crime and Security (POL30018)
Deviance, Difference & Conformity (SOC20020)
Corrections: Systems and Practice (CRI30002)
Capstone Unit: Advanced Topics in Criminology (CRI30001)
Juvenile Justice and Crime (CRI30010)

Career opportunities

Career opportunities

  • Community Development Officer

    Foster social change and improve the quality of life within communities.

  • Policy and Project Officer

    Lead specialist project activities and manage the development of policies.

  • Corrections Officer

    Monitor and supervise offenders, and help integrate them back into the community.

  • Immigration Officer

    Work to maintain effective immigration control based on the country’s immigration laws.

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Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

  • Forensic Psychology

    Get an introduction to the criminal justice system and the methodologies involved in forensic work.

  • Criminology

    Explore the detection, understanding and prevention of crime.

  • Corrections

    Explore key issues in corrections systems including treatments, ethics and prison experiences and populations.

  • Policing

    Gain an understanding of policing issues within criminology including training, selection and offender profiling.

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Chart a path towards your dream career

92% of Swinburne Online students are confident that online study will improve their employment outcomes*. Bolster your resume and gain the confidence to pursue your dream career – study online today.

 

*Swinburne Online’s Your Study Journey Survey, 2021

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:

  • Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the social sciences
  • Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of disciplinary expertise
  • Critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the social sciences
  • Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
  • Apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
  • Interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
  • Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Social Science, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • Two (2) Core units of study and two (2) Core units of study based on selected major discipline area (50cps)
  • Eight (8) units of study from a Social Science discipline major in one of the following areas: Behavioural Studies, Criminology, Security and International Relations, or Security and Counter Terrorism (100 credit points)
  • Twelve (12) units of study (150 credit points) comprising a co-major, advanced minor, minor and/or electives

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Students studying Security and International Relations Major cannot also study Security and Counter Terrorism Major due to the similarity of units.

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

Professional Placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a Professional Placement where a relevant Professional degree exists. International students who successful gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant Professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.
Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:
– Two (2) Core units of study and two (2) Core units of study based on selected major discipline area (50cps)
– Eight (8) units of study from a Social Science discipline major in one of the following areas: Behavioural Studies, Criminology, Security and International Relations, and Security and Counter Terrorism (100 credit points)
– Four (4) units of study of the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points); and
– Ten (10) units of study comprising an Advanced Minor, Minor or electives (125 credit points)

Students who elect to undertake a 6 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:
– Two (2) Core units of study and two (2) Core units of study based on selected major discipline area (50cps)
– Eight (8) units of study from a Social Science discipline major in one of the following areas: Behavioural Studies, Criminology, Security and International Relations, and Security and Counter Terrorism (100 credit points)
– Two (2) units of study of the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and
– Eleven (11) units of study comprising an Advanced Minor, Minor or electives (137.5 credit points).

Volume of Learning
The Bachelor of Social Science consists of a total of 24 units (300 credit points). Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Social Science is typically 3 years. For students who complete a Professional Placement the Bachelor of Social Science consists of 337.5 – 375 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Social Science with a 6 month placement is typically 3.5 years. The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Social Science with a 12 month placement is typically 4 years.

Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Social Science is 150 credit points (normally 12 units)

Research Statement
N/A

The full Course Information Set and Whole of Institution Set are available for reference.

Apply Today for a Bachelor of Social Science With a Major in Criminology Course

Start your application online or speak to a Course Consultant on 1300 069 765.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

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  • Do I have to purchase learning materials?

    For students undertaking a degree, most of your learning materials are included with a free license provided to you by Swinburne Online. However, in some cases, you will be notified via your student email that you will need to buy specific software or eTexts. For TAFE Business students, all of your learning materials will be available online and are covered by your course fees. You won’t need to purchase any further materials.

  • Which units should I start with?

    When you enrol to study a degree with us, you will nominate how many units you would like to select per teaching period, based on a recommendation from one of our Course Consultants. From here, our enrolments team will allocate you automatically to the units they feel will be best suited to your needs, so you don’t need to worry about choosing units. If you want to choose something different than what you are allocated to, that is no problem, just get in touch with our Student Advisors and they will take care of it for you.

  • Do I need to be logged on to study at specific times?

    You won’t normally have to be online at a specific time. Your course material is available for you from the beginning of each teaching period and you can work through it in the hours that suit you.

    There are some live webinar sessions that run approximately once a month. These are a special opportunity for students to sign in at the same time as their tutors, normally before an assessment deadline. It gives you the chance to ask any questions relating to the assignment in real time and hear other student’s questions and thoughts. We understand that students won’t always be able to make these sessions, so they can be replayed the next day.

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