Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours)

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 4 locations

Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
108635A
IELTS
Overall score: 7.0; Individual score of: 6.5
Fees (first year)*
$32000
Start dates
February 2025, July 2025, February 2026, July 2026, February 2027, July 2027

Overview

Our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours) explores in depth the causes of anti-social behaviour. With this degree, you will develop the knowledge and expertise to make a valuable contribution in the criminal justice sector.

Understand the complex causes and impact of crime, and the interactions of the legal and social policies that regulate society. In the fourth (honours) year, you will craft a research project of your choice, using skills in research practice and methodologies to construct a significant piece of real-world, socially useful research.

Subjects include forensic psychology, forensic science, cybercrime, border protection and biosecurity, understanding violence and trauma, as well as research-specific skills and methodologies. All students will undertake a community engagement in third year.

Graduate with well-developed research and analytical skills and prepared for exciting career opportunities in cybersecurity, law enforcement, intelligence and investigation, correctional and rehabilitation services and more.

Note: The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is offered with and without honours. The honours program takes four years and has a higher ATAR, as you’ll be expected to complete an honours thesis reflecting advanced research skills as part of your degree. It is particularly suited to students who have a strong scholarly interest in criminology and see their future in research and/or policy. The three-year, non-honours degree is suitable for students who see their future in policing, corrections or some other part of the criminal justice sector.  

  • Top 2% universities worldwide

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Professional experience

You will undertake a 40-hour placement associated with the criminal justice sector. You’ll receive intensive training in workplace approaches, practices and more before starting your placement, followed by a debriefing with a clinical education specialist.

Careers

  • Policy advisor and researcher
  • Reintegration worker
  • Police (state, territory or federal)
  • Immigration and border protection official
  • Community corrections officer 

Course details

Course structure

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor Honours - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $4000
  • Average first year fee: $32000
  • Estimate total cost: $128000

The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

International applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Staff Profile

Dr Adie Teshome

Lecturer, Thomas More Law School

Dr Teshome is a Lecturer in Law and Criminology, and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Vic) program at the Thomas More Law School. Prior to joining ACU, Dr Adie held academic positions at Monash University, and La Trobe University. He received his doctorate in 2018 from Monash University. His thesis is on the legal response to vulnerability to human trafficking from source country perspectives. Dr Adie is a qualified lawyer (admitted to practice law in Ethiopia and worked as a Public Prosecutor) having successfully completed his LLB from Addis Ababa University. Adie’s research expertise lies in various legal issues including contemporary human exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery, forensic psychology and criminal law and criminal justice. Dr has received several recognitions for his teaching excellence. 

Dr Kanij Fatima

Lecturer in Criminology - Thomas More Law School

Dr Kanij Fatima, is a lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Thomas More Law School, Australian Catholic University.

She has completed her PhD in Human Trafficking and International Law at the School of Law, La Trobe University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law, a master’s in law, and a graduate degree in international law with a focus on human rights. Before commencing her PhD candidature, she worked in the Bangladesh Judiciary as a Joint District Judge/ Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate for 8 years. She has advanced skills in legal research (in both civil and criminal matters, and both domestic and international laws), as well as relevant teaching experience. She is a British Chevening scholar and AUSAID scholar. Her research interests are human and organ trafficking, human rights, domestic violence and migrants, money laundering, and other transnational crimes.


Testimonial

Jaya Muscat

When I started to explore different career options, I was immediately interested in studying criminology and criminal justice. I have always been drawn to true-crime movies and documentaries. They made me question why people engage in offending behaviours and what we, as a community, can do to aid their rehabilitation. I am really looking forward to undertaking the 40-hour industry placement in my third year of study. That is a valuable experience that is unique to ACU’s criminology degree.

Jaya Muscat
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
 

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