This course recognises the close connections between crime and the human mind and its effects on behaviour. It will position you to work in the criminal justice sector, in fields such as policing, corrections, juvenile justice, crime prevention and advocacy, intelligence, forensics and customs.

You'll study all of the core content areas of the psychological science, from biological foundations to social influences on affect, behaviour and cognition, in addition to strong training in research methods, and the opportunity for study in greater depth in specific areas where staff have research expertise.

In addition you'll study the complex causes of crime and how to contribute to the development of innovative responses to it. You'll examine key issues in criminal justice, and topics such as policing, sentencing and corrections, forensics, and victimisation, will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of key areas of practice and employment. You'll also have the opportunity to hone your skills and build confidence by undertaking a work placement.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7 - Bachelor Degree.

Sample course structure

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.