Discover why crime occurs, how it is perceived and how we can address it – and graduate with the skills to make a real difference in the criminal justice system.

Gain a deep understanding of the causes and impacts of a range of individual and organised criminal activities, from environmental crime to illicit digital surveillance. Learn how to use this knowledge to develop effective responses to harmful behaviours.

Deakin’s criminology course is the most established in Australia. Our curriculum has been developed and designed in conjunction with professional bodies including Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria and the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers, ensuring your study experience closely reflects the needs of the industry. If you like to learn by doing, work-integrated learning opportunities challenge you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and provide the perfect preview to your future role.

Course structure:

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminology, students must complete 24-credit points as follows:

At least 12-credit points of ACR coded units, including the compulsory core units of ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302;

Up to 12-credit points can be non-ACR coded units;

No more than 10-credit points at level 1 including ACR101 and ACR102;

At least 14-credit points at level 2 or above including ACR201 and ACR202;

At least 6-credit points at level 3 including ACR301 and ACR302;

No more than 8-credit points taken outside the Faculty of Arts and Education.

AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Students must ensure they select appropriate Level 2 and Level 3 units to fulfil course requirements.

Students are encouraged to consider completing a second major sequence and therefore may wish to select elective units in accordance with that major sequence.

Career outcomes:

Graduates from this course can look forward to a diverse and challenging career, in roles such as:

corrections officers

crime prevention advisers

crime researchers and analysts

crime trends analysts

criminologists

federal and state police officers (requires further training)

forensic psychologists (requires further study)

intelligence analysts

parole officers

policy advisors