Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Psychological Science |
| Deakin course code | D390 |
| Course credit points | 32 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2023 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 079572M Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Articulated courses
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Develop a new understanding of crime while exploring social justice and rehabilitation themes that intertwine with why crime occurs. Study Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science and graduate with two sought-after degrees, a wealth of specialised knowledge and a strong suite of career options.
Dive into behavioural neuroscience, forensic psychology and psychopathology while exploring how crime, justice and correctional processes are defined and shaped. Professionally accredited, the psychological science stream sets you up for great career prospects or further study to become a registered psychologist. Everything you learn, from forensic psychology techniques to a deep understanding of criminal justice, is enhanced by practical learning. Take advantage of employability-focused coursework, internships and volunteering programs, study tours, overseas study opportunities and more.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
If you are seeking to become a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a graduate from this course you must next apply for a fourth year of study in psychology, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
Career opportunities
Promising career opportunities await in the areas of criminology and psychology. You may find employment in areas such as:
- government agencies
- state and federal police
- security and intelligence agencies
- research and policy development
- correctional services
- community services
- private security and consultative industries
Students wanting to take the next step towards becoming a psychologist must apply for an honours year (e.g. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology). Once completed, you will be able to gain provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).
If you are ready to take your psychology career further, the option to gain general registration as a psychologist is available by undertaking a masters or doctorate qualification in psychology.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Bachelor of Criminology (A329) | |
| Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344) |
Articulated courses
| Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (A400) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Criminology | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Psychological Science | |
|---|---|---|
| Review and analyse major social science theories and key criminological concepts, theories and technical knowledge relating to crime and criminal justice issues, including the causes and consequences of crime, ways of responding to crime, media representations of crime, core debates in policing, security and surveillance, as well as broader issues of policy and politics, inclusion and exclusion, governing and governance, security, social justice, citizenship and human rights. | Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate appropriate communication, counselling, and research methods skills. | |
| Communication | Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of criminological concepts, theories and technical knowledge, in a selection of written, digital and oral formats, to a range of audiences. | Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding. |
| Employ a range of generic and specialist criminal justice-specific digital communication technologies to apply criminological knowledge and conduct social and criminological research and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences within and outside the field. | Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content. | |
| Analyse and critically evaluate theoretical approaches to crime problems and current policies and practices of governments and criminal justice practitioners and professions in the context of broad social change, new crimes, new responses and an increasing responsibility for preventing and controlling individual and complex crimes at local, state, national and international levels. | Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself and in others in diverse contexts. | |
| Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with accepted evidence-based criminological methods to generate innovative and pragmatic approaches and solutions to complex problems in the areas of individual crime, complex and organised crime, the criminal justice process, questions of justice and injustice, local, national and international policing, surveillance, privacy and technology, and domestic and international crime and security issues. | Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses these problems; and apply analytic and statistical skills to interpret the results and validity of research. | |
| Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development, as a reflective practitioner, while working in the criminological field. | Engage in independent learning as a reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology; and manage resources, timelines and other constraints to achieve quality and timely outcomes. | |
| Work and learn collaboratively with others in the criminology field and from different disciplines and backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for their own learning. | Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice. | |
| Analyse and address criminological issues in the domestic and global context as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards. | Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; apply ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities, apply knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology
- 6 credit points of criminology core units
- 6 credit points of criminology course electives
- 4 credit points of course electives from arts courses
- a minimum of 6 credit points of arts-coded units at level 3
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Psychological Science
- 16 credit points of core units consisting of:
- 4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology
- 8 credit points of Psychology Essentials
- 4 credit points of Psychology in Practice
- 16 credit points of core units consisting of:
- a maximum of 12 credit points at level 1 across both courses
- a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 or above across both courses.
Course requirements for both Bachelor of Criminology (A329) and Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344) must be satisfied.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Note: Many of the HPS coded units are also offered in Trimester 3, offering students the opportunity to accelerate their studies.
Criminology core units
| ACR101 | Introducing Crime and Criminology |
| ACR102 | Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice |
| ACR201 | Issues in Criminal Justice |
| ACR202 | Explaining Crime |
| ACR301 | International and Comparative Criminal Justice |
| ACR302 | Criminology Research |
Psychological Science core units
| HPS104 | Foundations of Psychological Science |
| HPS105 | Foundations of Psychological Practice |
| HBS110 | Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) |
| HPS117 | Introduction to Psychology: Biopsychosocial Perspectives |
| HPS118 | Introduction to Psychology: Cross-Cultural and Indigenous Perspectives |
| HPS201 | Psychology Research Methods (Introductory) |
| HPS202 | Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) |
| HPS203 | Cognitive Psychology |
| HPS204 | Social Psychology |
| HPS206 | Forensic Psychology (this is a core only for the D390 course in the list) |
| HPS301 | Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate) |
| HPS307 | Personality Psychology |
| HPS308 | Psychopathology |
| HPS310 | Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour) |
| HPY210 | Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory) |
| HPY306 | Applied Counselling Skills (Intermediate) |
HPS111 Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour [No longer available for enrolment]
HPS121 Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development [No longer available for enrolment]
Course electives
Criminology
| ACR203 | Crime, Victims and Justice |
| ACR204 | Crime, Media and Justice |
| ACR216 | Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| ACR211 | Crime Prevention and Security |
| ACR214 | Inequality, Power and Justice |
| ACR304 | Digital Criminology: Technologies of Crime and Control |
| ACR305 | Crime, Terrorism and Security |
| ACR314 | Organised Crime [replaces ACR306] |
| MAE266 | Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade |
The remaining Arts course grouped electives can be found within the Bachelor of Arts.
ACR206 Criminology in Action [No longer available for enrolment]
ACR306 Careers in Criminal Justice [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit ACR314]
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.