Master of Criminology

2022 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Alternative exits
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure

Course overview

Studying the Master of Criminology will challenge you to think laterally about emerging discourses in power, harm and justice. You'll develop a deeper understanding of how we can approach criminal behaviour, crime policy and prevention as a society.

Want the skills to deliver justice in a way that makes a difference to both perpetrators and victims?

Deakin's postgraduate criminology courses are designed with input from a variety of industry partners and relevant stakeholders including police, policy and regulatory agencies, so you can be confident that the skills you develop studying Deakin's Master of Criminology will be relevant to your future or existing career.

You'll push the boundaries of the way we currently look at justice and creatively examine three key areas of ongoing and emerging criminological concern: the state, the digital and the environment. Get ready to engage and debate pressing issues of local, national and global concern.

To understand the balance of state and private control, you'll dissect how corporations have become embedded in the development and delivery of security, prevention and other traditionally state-run criminal justice roles.

The cyber world and the rise of robotics, artificial intelligence and new technologies within online and virtual platforms have created immense opportunities for criminal enterprises and challenges for regulatory authorities. You'll critically examine the ways in which digital technologies are shaping offender and victim relationships, while posing challenges for authorities in the fields of detection, prevention and prosecution.

You will explore the importance of security and sustainable development of the natural environment in the context of local, national and global governance and how damage and threats to the natural environment create complex challenges.

You can choose electives to create a degree built for your unique career goals. Some of your elective unit options include:

• Environmental Offenders and Victims
• Human Rights in World Politics
• Governance and Fraud
• Computer Networks and Security
• The Carceral Society and Prison Futures

While the course is conveniently offered on our premium online learning platform, there are also opportunities to engage in practical learning. During the course, you can utilise Deakin's cutting edge immersive learning environments to experience lively and engaging content.

Career opportunities

As a graduate, your complex understanding of niche criminological situations will be in high demand by agencies focused on specific areas of the community. If you're already in the workforce, you'll be prepared for senior roles that require advanced knowledge, ensuring you're capable of making well-rounded decisions that will positively impact lives.

If you're passionate about committing to further study, organisations such as the Australian Institute of Criminology seek to promote justice and reduce crime by finding motivated individuals to undertake and communicate evidence-based research to inform policy and practice.

The graduate diploma and graduate certificate components of the Master of Criminology also give you a chance to exit the course early, with a glowing industry-recognised qualification.

As a graduate of the masters, you'll have the in-demand knowledge and real-world experience in crime science and management that industry needs. You can confidently enter the role of a corrections officer, case manager/worker, specialist adviser or criminologist, and explore a variety of areas including:

• anti-corruption agencies
• correctional facilities and prisons
• community services
• criminology research
• government agencies
• intelligence and security services
• sociology and youth work
• state and federal police

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

Alternative exits

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as photocopying or travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To qualify for the Master of Criminology, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising 4 credit points of core units, plus 1 research option totalling a further 4 credit points

Course structure

Core Units

Options 1, 2 & 3

Plus one of the following research options totalling four credit points:

Option 1 - Research Paper (Non PhD pathway)

plus 3 credit points of course electives

Option 2 - Minor Thesis (PhD Pathway)

plus 2 credit points of course electives

Option 3 - Major Thesis (PhD Pathway)

Course Electives*

*Students who have previously completed any of these units within the Graduate Certificate of Criminology are required to substitute with an alternate unit from the course elective list

**This unit is not available for enrolment in 2022

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central