Course overview
Students studying the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice will explore how individuals behave, think and feel, and come to understand the complex causes and impact of crime. The Criminology and Criminal Justice degree includes studies in forensic science, cybercrime, border protection and biosecurity, understanding violence and trauma and the legal and social policies that keep us safe. The Psychology degree helps students to acquire knowledge, assimilate theories and concepts and develop applicable skills that are valuable to the enhancement of human functioning in a broad range of professional settings. By combining these degrees, graduates will gain wider insights than can be developed in a three-year single degree. Psychological studies will assist those who seek a career in the justice sector. Similarly, those with aspirations of becoming a Forensic Psychologist will be assisted with the knowledge gained from the criminology studies.
Course record
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities
Aboriginal justice, youth (juvenile) justice, corrections, community support, crime prevention, road safety, women’s rehabilitation, drug and alcohol policy work, policing, forensic intervention services, disability services within justice and corrections. counselling, child welfare and development, human resources, marketing and market research, or fourth year study in psychology to pursue a career in psychology.
Majors
Areas of study
Child welfare and development, community work, criminology, health, human resources, law, marketing and market research, psychology.
Other Information
Professional recognition
This course is currently accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia and undergoing scheduled re-accreditation for 2025 onwards. Upon completion of an APAC- accredited undergraduate degree, students who go on to complete Honours in Psychology will be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Please note that after completion of an APAC-accredited undergraduate degree, a further minimum of three years education and training in psychology is required to register as a psychologist in Australia.
Practical experience
Students can complete one Community Legal Engagement unit and undertake a 40-hour placement in the criminal justice sector or in an organisation that provides services to, or that conducts research with, people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system; or they can complete at least 100 hours of community engagement related to psychological science. Before students begin professional experience for this course, they should review the mandatory state or territory legal and industry policy requirements. An overview of these requirements can be found via the ACU Work Integrated Learning Search tool.
Honours
Available as an additional year to meritorious students who wish to undertake research training to make a contribution to scholarship and evidence-based psychology or criminology practice.
Fees and charges
Visit the ACU website for general information about tuition fees.
Entry requirements
Review the captured standard entry requirements, English requirements and additional notes for this course.
Standard entry
- Applicants with recent secondary education Assumed knowledge: English Standard (Band 2) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 3). Read more about Admission criteria for applicants with recent secondary education. Other applicants Admission criteria for applicants with higher education study. Admission criteria for applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study. Admission criteria for applicants with work and life experience. Also refer to the ACU general admission criteria.
If the student's current English result is below the direct-entry requirement, consider the university's recognised English language pathway or ELICOS package. When the student successfully completes the approved pathway at the required level, the university may accept that pathway for English entry without requiring a new IELTS, TOEFL or PTE result. Always confirm exclusions for professional registration courses and the offer conditions.
View English requirementStudent profile
Campuses & intake dates
- Strathfield (Mount St Mary)NSW