Why Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice?
George Santayana, a renown Spanish-American philosopher, famously said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Understanding the past is an essential part of planning for the future. From medieval times to modern society discover how the past has shaped contemporary social challenges, crime and justice. Build critical skills in research, analysis, communications and critical thinking which will open a range of career doors.
Get ready to uncover the past and lead the way to a better future.
Overview
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice majoring in History will prepare you for a career in the field of criminology and criminal justice with a focus on history.
You’ll build a deep understanding of Australian criminal law, crime control, corrections and contemporary criminal justice issues while exploring the past and how it influences the present. You’ll develop sought after research, analysis, communications and critical thinking skills which are highly transferable between industries.
Learning from experts within criminology and history you’ll gain both broad and deep knowledge. A flexible but focused internship in your final year will develop your confidence and ensure you graduate career ready. This degree will position you well to take advantage of opportunities in a range of areas within the criminology, justice and advocacy industries.
Key features
Investigate causes of crime and deviance. - Build core knowledge of Australian criminal law, policing and the justice system.
- Explore global societies and influential periods throughout history.
- Develop in-demand transferrable skills in research, communications and critical thinking.
- Get real-world experience through a research or practical internship in an area of your interest.
- Learn from research-active teaching staff.
What you'll learn
In the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice majoring in History at Adelaide University, you’ll unpack the past and develop an understanding of the complexities of crime, justice, social inequity and geo-politics.
During your first year, you will be introduced to crime issues in Australia, the foundations of the criminal justice system and criminology perspectives. You’ll gain an understanding of how inequities such as race, gender and socio-economic status impacts crime and justice, and consider these issues within the context of history.
In your second year, you will build upon the foundational knowledge in criminology and criminal justice through exploring modern policing, crime control and corrections. You’ll uncover medieval societies, engage with historical artefacts from European civilisations and explore the history of European crisis during the twentieth century. You’ll also consider the making of modern Australia through examining influential social, economic and political events from the 1890s onward.
Your third year will dig deeper into contemporary criminology issues, the practical application of criminal law and policy decisions. You’ll consider Europe’s transition from ‘medieval’ to ‘modern’ and its interactions with the wider world. Going beyond the frontier Aboriginal perspectives will be explored and you’ll deepen your understanding of identity, conflict and co-existence in historical and contemporary contexts.
Your career aspirations will be guided and developed throughout your degree, culminating in a practical or research-based internship during your third year in an area of your interest.
Majors
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 66 units for Core courses, and
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 18 units for Electives
Complete 66 units comprising:
- 18 units for all Common core, and
- 48 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 1
|
Course code
AUXX1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 2
|
Course code
AUXX2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 3
|
Course code
AUXX3000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Empires in World History
|
Course code
HIST1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
History Today
|
Course code
HIST1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Medieval Worlds: 500-1500
|
Course code
HIST2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The Making of Modern Australia
|
Course code
HIST2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Europe in Turmoil: 1900-1989
|
Course code
HIST2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Early Modern Worlds: 1500-1800
|
Course code
HIST3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Memory Wars: History and Society
|
Course code
HIST3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Beyond the Frontier: Aboriginal/Settler Australia
|
Course code
HIST3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Empires in World History
|
Course code
HIST1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
History Today: How the Past Shapes the Present
|
Course code
HIST1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Medieval Worlds: 500-1500
|
Course code
HIST2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
The Making of Modern Australia
|
Course code
HIST2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Europe in Turmoil: 1900-1989
|
Course code
HIST2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Early Modern Worlds: 1500-1800
|
Course code
HIST3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Beyond the Frontier: Indigenous/Settler Australia
|
Course code
HIST3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Memory Wars: History and Society
|
Course code
HIST3003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Empires in World History
|
Course code
HIST1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
History Today
|
Course code
HIST1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Medieval Worlds: 500-1500
|
Course code
HIST2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The Making of Modern Australia
|
Course code
HIST2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Europe in Turmoil: 1900-1989
|
Course code
HIST2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Early Modern Worlds: 1500-1800
|
Course code
HIST3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Memory Wars: History and Society
|
Course code
HIST3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Beyond the Frontier: Aboriginal/Settler Australia
|
Course code
HIST3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Empires in World History
|
Course code
HIST1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
History Today
|
Course code
HIST1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Medieval Worlds: 500-1500
|
Course code
HIST2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The Making of Modern Australia
|
Course code
HIST2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Europe in Turmoil: 1900-1989
|
Course code
HIST2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Early Modern Worlds: 1500-1800
|
Course code
HIST3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Memory Wars: History and Society
|
Course code
HIST3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Beyond the Frontier: Aboriginal/Settler Australia
|
Course code
HIST3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Empires in World History
|
Course code
HIST1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
History Today
|
Course code
HIST1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Medieval Worlds: 500-1500
|
Course code
HIST2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
The Making of Modern Australia
|
Course code
HIST2002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Europe in Turmoil: 1900-1989
|
Course code
HIST2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Early Modern Worlds: 1500-1800
|
Course code
HIST3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Memory Wars: History and Society
|
Course code
HIST3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Beyond the Frontier: Aboriginal/Settler Australia
|
Course code
HIST3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
A degree in criminology and criminal justice will enable you to pursue a range of roles and a deep knowledge of history will position you well within the criminal justice sector. You’ll also have opportunities available to you within the private and not-for-profit sectors, especially within organisations focussed on criminal justice reform, human rights or historical preservation. Maybe you will become a public historian, focusing on historical narratives linked to crime, justice and societal change through public exhibitions or community programs. Perhaps you’ll work in research as an analyst, evaluating trends in crime and justice through a historical lens.
Your broad skills in data analysis, critical thinking and communication are highly transferrable and will be sought after by a range of employers. You might pursue a career in any of the following sectors:
- Policing
- Security and intelligence
- Correctional services
- Court administration
- Parliamentary advising
- Crime analysis
- Advocacy
- Policy development/analysis
- Research.
Industry trends
Key areas of growth aligned with the intersection of criminology, criminal justice and history are projected within government agencies. The World Economic Forum (WEF) reports jobs within security and insights and analytics are within the top 100 fastest growing job types world-wide (WEF, 2023).
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
