Why Bachelor of Criminology, Bachelor of Psychology?
Empower yourself to promote justice and create a safer society.
With our Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, you’ll unpack the depths of human behaviour and investigate crime prevention. Understand why people commit crimes and the impact crime has on victims and society. Build fundamental knowledge in psychology, discovering how development influences behaviour.
Gain two qualifications in just four years – giving you a competitive edge and widening your career prospects.
Overview
The Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour and its societal impact. Explore the causes and nature of criminal behaviour, strategies for intervention and the roles of the police, courts and corrections.
Simultaneously, build a deep understanding of psychology, exploring how psychological principles apply to human development and behaviour. Develop your critical, analytical and research skills while gaining real-world experience through internship opportunities.
Graduate ready for an impactful career in law enforcement, mental health services, community advocacy, policy development or research.
Key features
Gain two qualifications in just four years of study. - Learn the fundamental concepts, theories, principles and methods of psychology.
- Uncover the causes and consequences of crime.
- Unpack criminal and anti-social behaviour.
- Gain a deep understanding of the police, justice and corrections systems.
- Build real-world experience with internship opportunities.
What you'll learn
Build a diverse skill set and broaden your career opportunities with our Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
In your first year, build foundational knowledge of the criminal justice system and crime issues. Investigate how social inequities such as socio-economic status, race, gender and age influence crime. Start building your theoretical understanding of psychology and analyse human behaviour in a variety of contexts.
As you progress through your double degree, gain further insight into healthy development across our lifespan and develop a deeper understanding of how psychology relates to individuals and groups. Advance your psychological research skills, learning to analyse data and draw insightful conclusions. Go deeper into specialised areas of criminology like forensic criminology and cybercrime.
In your third and fourth year, complete internships in mental health or community organisations, gaining practical experience and important industry connections. In final year, you’ll also put your learning into practice with a society and culture internship. Throughout your degree, tailor your learning with elective courses, broadening your knowledge in areas that interest you.
What courses you'll study
Complete 192 units comprising:
- 144 units for Core courses, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 36 units for Electives
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 126 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
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
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 36 units comprising:
- 36 units for all University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introductory Psychology Research Methods
|
Course code
PSYC1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Social Contexts
|
Course code
PSYC1002
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC1012
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Data and Research in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Global Challenges
|
Course code
PSYC2010
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Career Development in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC2009
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Psychology for Organisations and Communities
|
Course code
PSYC3011
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition
|
Course code
PSYC3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Research Methods in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Work Integrated Learning in Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology
|
Course code
PSYC3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
As a graduate, your expertise in the two complementary fields of psychology and criminology/criminal justice can open doors to roles in law enforcement, mental health services, community advocacy, policy development and research.
Maybe you’ll work for the Australian Institute of Criminology, investigating cybercrime or terrorism. Perhaps you’ll support victims of crime through advocacy and recovery programs. Maybe you’ll prevent crime by working with vulnerable groups in community and welfare services.
Potential roles include:
- Case manager
- Community corrections officer
- Support worker (mental health/disability/youth)
- Youth justice officer
- Policy officer
- Intelligence analyst
- Victim support officer
- Crime prevention officer
- Research assistant
- Court administrator.
Please note if your goal is to become a registered psychologist, you’ll need to complete the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), followed by additional postgraduate study.
Industry trends
Demand for mental health workers continues to grow. It is estimated healthcare and social assistance sectors will increase by 15.8% (+301,000 new jobs) by 2026 (Australian Government, 2023). Additionally, 41% of Australians, or 8 million people, have experienced physical or sexual violence from the age of fifteen (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024). With qualifications in both psychology and criminology/criminal justice, you’ll be able to support people through mental health challenges while implementing crime prevention strategies and advocating for social justice. Help make a difference in society and become a highly regarded professional.
Accreditation
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
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.
