Why Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice?
How do population changes impact policy and planning? How does this influence crime and criminal justice responses? With our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice majoring in Population and Migration Studies, you will discover the how and the why.
In the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice degree, you’ll learn to be an informed and critical user of research methods in criminal justice settings. You’ll explore the nature of crime and the key theories that explain why people commit crime.
In the Population and Migration Studies major, you’ll examine the dynamics of population growth and migration trends around the world. You'll develop expertise in research methods like data analysis, policy evaluation and case studies.
Overview
Examine contemporary criminal justice issues across diverse communities locally and globally. Be informed by the latest thinking and most up-to-date developments in criminology and criminal justice. Explore the social and behavioural science of criminology and examine policy through the lens of migration and population dynamics.
Develop an understanding of the criminal justice system, policing and crime and punishment in modern society and how it can be analysed to improve contemporary social challenges. Gain a detailed understanding of policy and practice in Australian politics, as well as the impact of significant population issues and policy challenges.
Be equipped with knowledge and understanding in the size, characteristics and distribution of the world’s populations and discrepancies between (and within) nations. Investigate the challenges and effects of human migration across various levels within society.
Key features
Investigate the causes of crime and deviance. - Gain a worldview of significant population issues and policy changes.
- Explore policing and crime prevention techniques.
- Develop high-level skills in demographic and socio-economic data collection, research and interpretation.
- Learn from world-leading academics.
- Graduate career ready by completing an industry placement with a partner organisation.
What you'll learn
With the Adelaide University Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice degree, you’ll learn about the criminal justice system including the role of government agencies and social organisations in developing policies and practices of punishment.
You’ll focus on current problems and contemporary approaches, graduating with specialised knowledge in:
- Criminal justice
- Crime problems in Australia
- Research methods in criminology
- Restorative justice and diversion
- Police investigations and intelligence.
Your Population and Migration Studies major will offer you a comprehensive perspective on global mobility, social inequality and economic development.
In your first year, you’ll be introduced to key concepts in criminal justice, crime problems in Australia and research methods before moving into research methods, population trends and challenges and migration and mobility.
Your second year will focus on policing, crime, punishment and crime control and factors that shape government policies in Australian politics. You’ll develop your knowledge in demographic data and techniques, as well as societal environmental challenges, diversity, and inequality in communities. With support from community and industry partners, you'll outline steps towards securing an internship that aligns with your future aspirations.
In your final year, you’ll study contemporary issues in criminology, global population and health, and migration identity. You’ll also complete an internship where you’ll explore career pathways linked to your interests and expertise via mentoring and networking experiences with one or more partner organisations..
Majors
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is also available with majors in:
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
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
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
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Population in Practice: Applied Research
|
Course code
POLI3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Qualitative Research Methods in Social Sciences
|
Course code
SOCI3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
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
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
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
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
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
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Population Trends and Challenges
|
Course code
SOCI1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
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
Migration and (Im)mobility
|
Course code
SOCI1003
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Demographic Data and Techniques
|
Course code
SOCI2002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Responding to Climate Change
|
Course code
ENVI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration and Development
|
Course code
SOCI2303
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Global Population and Health
|
Course code
SOCI3301
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Migration: Identity, Belonging and Difference
|
Course code
POLI3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Geography Matters
|
Course code
SOCI3302
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
A degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice majoring in Population and Migration Studies will position you well to pursue a range of career options addressing complex societal challenges related to both crime and migration. Employers may include local, state or national government, international organisations or not-for-profit sectors. Maybe you will become a migration policy analyst, assessing and developing policies related to immigration and migration. You could be an immigration officer, processing immigration applications and evaluating compliance with laws for government agencies.
Other potential career areas may include:
- Policing
- Security and intelligence
- Correctional services
- Court administration
- Parliamentary advising
- Crime analysis
- Policy development/analysis
- Immigration
- Human rights
- Data analysis
- Research.
Industry trends
With the Australian public administration and safety sector projected to grow by 92,300 persons from May 2024 to May 2034 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024), there has never been a better time to enhance your skills and start a rewarding career in criminology and criminal justice.
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.
