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CL55 - Bachelor of Science (Criminology and Psychology)

Overview

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Criminology and Psychology) course will give you a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of both Criminology and Psychology. The course considers the psychology of crime, criminology theory and its practical application to criminal justice and its regulation. You will be engaged in crime scene analysis, criminal profiling, forensic interviews and develop case management skills. You will learn how to conduct research and how to professionally communicate, orally, visually and in writing. You will also develop an awareness of ethical, professional and social responsibility and an understanding of Indigenous, social and cultural diversity. This course prepares you for a career in criminal justice, police, customs, correction services and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The course is also relevant to a broad array of government departments such as prisons, probation and parole, court clerk, investigator, defence as well as public and private security and investigation. The psychology aspects of the degree are useful for careers which require a sound understanding of human behaviour such as: human resource management, rehabilitation, business management, teaching, school guidance counselling, scientific research, public health, defence, and special education. Your Psychology studies will give you a comprehensive overview of the scientific discipline of psychology and its applications. The course is delivered in accordance with the foundational (level one) competencies for three-year undergraduate psychology programs as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). You will acquire an understanding of the underlying principles, theories and concepts within the discipline. In addition, you will develop knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the discipline, and an understanding of the methodologies and statistical techniques used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. There will be opportunities for you to explore applied and professional uses of psychology. In addition you will be introduced to psychological theory, research, and applied and professional uses of psychology in an ethical and culturally responsive context. You can undertake further study to qualify as a Psychologist.

Career Information

The Bachelor of Science (Criminology and Psychology) prepares you for a career in criminal justice, police, customs, correction services and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The degree is also relevant to a broad array of government departments such as prisons, probation and parole, court clerk, investigator, ­­defence as well as public and private security and investigation. The psychology aspects of the degree are useful for careers which require a sound understanding of human behaviour such as: human resource management, rehabilitation, business management, teaching, school guidance counselling, scientific research, public health, defence, and special education. You can undertake further study to qualify as a psychologist.

Course Details
Duration 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 144
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) BSc (Crim&Psych)
AQF Level Level 7: Bachelor Degree
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $16,992
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $19,926
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $14,476
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $19,131
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,520
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $35,040
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $13,426
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $12,468

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Online

Term 1 - 2026

Online

Term 2 - 2025

Online

Term 1 - 2025

Online

Term 2 - 2024

Online

Term 1 - 2024

Online

Term 2 - 2023

Online

Term 1 - 2023

Online

Term 2 - 2022

Online

Term 1 - 2022

Online

Term 2 - 2021

Online

Term 1 - 2021

Online

Term 2 - 2020

Online

Term 1 - 2020

Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 2 - 2019

Bundaberg
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2019

Bundaberg
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville
Show All

International Availability

Term 2 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2021

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2021

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2020

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2020

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2019

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2019

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 62 | ATAR 62
Entry Requirements

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no ore than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

English

Security Requirements
None
Health Requirements
None
Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards CM10 - Diploma of Criminology
Exit Awards CM10 - Diploma of Criminology
Accreditation
  • Core

    This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and as such, successful completion of this course will mean that you are eligible to apply for an APAC accredited 4th year honours course in  Psychology.

Residential School Requirements

No Residential School for this course.

Practicum/Work Placement

CRIM13004 - This capstone unit enables students to apply the theories, content knowledge and skills they have learned to a workplace environment. Student work should involve finding solutions to a problem in a regulatory agency, criminal justice agency, government or other organisation involved in the prevention or regulation of criminal activity. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to: 1. Apply skills and knowledge developed in the course to criminology practice in in a regulatory agency, criminal justice agency, government or other organisation involved in the prevention or regulation of criminal activity. 2. Evaluate and report work placement experiences and assess personal and professional growth, strengths and weaknesses in: (a) intellectual development (integration, problem identification, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making), (b) social development (social skills, initiative and independence), and (c) professional development (technical skills, time management and verbal and written communication). 3. Reflect upon and describe the careers, roles, relationships, responsibilities and activities of people engaged in the practice of criminology in the workplace. 4. Reflect upon, evaluate and report enhanced knowledge of criminology gained as a result of participation in work placement and the nature of the environment that supported such learning.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 156
2023 148
2022 173
2021 175
2020 147
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity's Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity in academic and professional practice.
  • Maintaining strict client confidentiality if accepted for a work placement.
  • Treating personal information obtained as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and use an ethical decision making model to take responsibility to ethically resolve dilemmas.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Demonstrating respectful and courteous behaviour in your dealing with colleagues and staff at the University and with clients and support staff if involved in a work placement.
  • Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance.
  • Being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Successfully processing and coping with your own emotions and behaviour when faced with challenging and confronting individuals and/or cases in the professional environment.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation, mandatory reporting requirements and any other notifiable concern to your field placement supervisor.
  • Complying with the requirements for student registration with the Australian Health Professional Registration Authority (AHPRA) or Australian Psychological Association.
  • Complying with University and workplace policy around the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using technical language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group, including legal language.
  • Establishing rapport with clients and respond appropriately to clients, supervisors and other professionals.
  • Communicating in a courteous and professional manner with colleagues and staff.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions: eye contact, being mindful of space boundaries, and a range of body movements and gestures.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and respond appropriately during activities related to the course, as well as during professional placement.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment while implementing academic conventions.
  • Constructing written text in a scholarly manner that includes accurate grammar, punctuation, clear and logical written expression, and correct referencing to the required academic standards.
  • Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge into logical, legible and coherent legal documents that meet professional standards and clearly communicates the required content or message.
  • Accurately conveying and documenting information in written form, and in a timely manner that meets professional requirements.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Applying theoretical knowledge, research evidence, policies and procedures in professional practice.
  • Demonstrating active listening skills while on work placement.
  • Competently and accurately receiving communication from another person and processing that legal and/or client information and circumstances, and be able to repeat those communication messages with precision.
  • Paraphrasing and summarising received verbal communications effectively.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of complex commercial transactions that involve numeracy skills.
Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Development of active listening skills to facilitate effective communication, avoid miscommunication and arrive at accurate conclusions.
  • Patience and avoiding or diffusing interpersonal conflict.
  • Trustworthiness and confidentiality.
  • Approachability and warmth to facilitate communication and encourage innovation and mutual cooperation.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

 

  • Development of an 'active, dynamic action-based and ethical set of skills, placed in real time and dealing with real, complex and difficult situations' (Moon, J. (1999), Reflection in Learning and Professional Development: Theory and Practice, Kogan Page, London).
  • Implement a six step process: read, ask, watch, feel, talk and think. (see Neil Thomson, People Skills, Palgrave MacMillan 2015)
  • Enhancing the ability to mirror, paraphrase and restate feelings, emotions and words of others to fully understand the communication.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

 

  • Reading and comprehension of vast amounts of text and oral information as the basis of formal decision making.
  • Breaking down information into a context that can be understood within a team.
  • Managing lengthy complex meetings.
  • Planning time and workload effectively including the ability to self-manage competing commitments and take responsibility for own wellbeing.
Interpersonal Engagement

Examples are:

 

  • Active listening to others with the purpose of gathering information and engaging with the speaker.
  • Being a dependable person that can be relied upon in any given situation.
  • Having emotional intelligence to understand the needs and feelings of others.
  • Being an effective leader using interpersonal skills to make decisions.
  • Having the ability to work in a team.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X.
  • Accessing a computer for your studies, and possessing sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that may include completing relevant on-line assessments and participating in on-line forums or responding to emails.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Using a variety of computer programs suitable to your course of study.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Describe psychology of crime, criminology theory and its practical application to criminal justice and its regulation
  • 2. Compile a criminology case through crime scene analysis, criminal profiling, forensic interviews and case management skills
  • 3. Utilise a scientific approach to apply knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and principles across the core topics of psychology
  • 4. Apply knowledge of psychology in a manner that is reflexive and culturally responsive to the diversity of individuals, groups, organisations, and communities
  • 5. Identify and apply research methods and statistical analyses to a range of research problems and contexts
  • 6. Communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others
  • 7. Articulate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics
  • 8. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for your own learning and practice that will sustain personal and professional development.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 24 Total credit points: 144

The degree consists of 24 units making a total of 144 credit points.

There are seven core Criminology units, three elective Criminology units and a choice of CRIM13003 Criminology Research Capstone or CRIM13004 Criminology Work Placement Capstone unit. This makes a total of 11 Criminology units.

There are 13 core Psychology units which must be completed to satisfy the accreditation requirements of the Psychology component of the CL55 Bachelor of Science (Criminology and Psychology) course.

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
CRIM11001 Foundations of Criminology and Criminal Justice
CRIM11002 Criminal Justice Procedure and Analysis
CRIM12008 Crime and Control
CRIM12009 Crime, Media and Power
CRIM11006 Criminal Intelligence Analysis
LAWS11057 Introduction to Law
PSYC11010 Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour
PSYC11012 Research Methods 1
CRIM12003 Criminology Theory
PSYC12048 Research Methods 2
PSYC12010 Psychology Across the Lifespan
PSYC12012 Physiological Psychology
PSYC12014 Critical Social Psychology
PSYC12049 Psychotherapies and Counselling
PSYC13018 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC13015 Research Methods 3
PSYC13017 Foundations of Psychopathology
PSYC13021 Forensic Psychology
PSYC13020 Individual Differences and Assessment
PSYC13016 Cognitive Psychology

There are seven core Criminology units, three elective Criminology units and a choice of CRIM13003 Criminology Research Capstone or CRIM13004 Criminology Work Placement Capstone unit. This makes a total of 11 Criminology units.

Students must complete 3 Criminology discipline component units from the list below.

Available units
Students must complete 3 from the following units:
CRIM11003 Indigenous Australians and the Criminal Justice System
CRIM13008 Case Management Practice
CRIM12004 Understanding Violence and Conflict
CRIM12005 Community Justice Innovation
CRIM13007 Crimes of the Powerful
CRIM13009 Criminal Ethnographies
CRIM13005 Indigenous Justice
CRIM13006 Justice Strategy and Alliances

There are seven core Criminology units, three elective Criminology units and a choice of CRIM13003 Criminology Research Capstone or CRIM13004 Criminology Work Placement Capstone unit. This makes a total of 11 Criminology units.

Students must choose one of the Criminology capstone units from the list below. 

Available units
Students must complete 1 from the following units:
CRIM13003 Criminology Research Capstone
CRIM13004 Criminology Work Placement Capstone
More Details

Credit Applications 

Credit applications for psychology units will only be granted where the units that form the basis of the credit application have been taken as part of a course of study in psychology offered by an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited academic organisational unit. 

Refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit information on the CQUniversity website for further on the guidelines and application process. 

 

Computing Requirements 

Students will need to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete their coursework. It is important that students have dependable access to the internet and a computer (or equivalent device) with hardware capable of video conferencing for online classes. 

Students enrolled in this course will be engaged in many activities involving technology and the online environment, including video conferencing into online classes, completing assessments in word processing or presentation software, recording oral presentations, submitting written or video-recorded assessments online, completing online tests or quizzes, posting to online forums and responding to emails. 

Students should review their unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for their coursework. 

 

Group and Teamwork 

One of the learning outcomes for this course is for students to be able to communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others. This learning outcomes aligns with the foundational competencies we are required to develop in students as an APAC-accredited 3-year program in psychology. As such, students in this course will be required to demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork through assessment tasks that involve working in pairs or small groups with other students. 

Students should review their unit profiles to learn about the specific assessment requirements in each unit.