Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
ATAR 87.30
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Duration
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years -
Location
Melbourne city -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne city
Overview
Your career in social justice
Unlock your potential to lead social change in a career that helps create just, socially aware, responsible communities.
What you will learn
Develop an understanding of the psychology of crime, conduct forensic interviews and provide case management for offenders, victims and clients with complex needs.
Details
This combination of an accredited psychology major with an applied criminology major prepares you for a variety of roles where dealing with people is paramount.
Ever wondered why people engage in offending behaviour? Statistics indicate a strong correlation between crime and people with social welfare needs and mental health illness.
In this degree, you will develop an understanding of the psychology of crime, be able to conduct forensic interviews and provide case management for offenders, victims and clients with complex needs.
You’ll learn key communication, risk assessment, behavioural analysis and research skills and gain a strong understanding of psychological theories and practice.
On completion of the degree you will have developed the emotional and intellectual resources required for a challenging but rewarding career in the justice and human services fields.
Building block to psychology
This program can be used a first step to becoming a psychologist. To become a psychologist, you need to complete further study at honours and master levels.
You’ll be taught by academic staff who are specialists in their field. Within your criminology major, you may be taught by a former police officer, a lawyer or a criminologist. Industry-experienced guest lecturers will also feature throughout the year.
You’ll learn through lectures, presentations, group discussions and practical industry placements.
Crime management is a growth area, and RMIT sits at the cutting edge of preparing people for employment in this field.
RMIT has more than 30 years of experience in justice training and education, with justice and legal programs highly regarded for their practical application and work experience components.
Integral to the success of RMIT justice programs are their close links with criminal justice agencies, which complement the program’s design, development and delivery.
Specialisations and electives
Professional Internship elective
Employers want graduates who can readily fit into and work well in an organisation. This means they want graduates who are able to plan and organise their work, solve problems, work in teams, use technology effectively and understand how to be effective in the workplace.
These are skills that are developed through the Professional Internship elective, which gives you the opportunity to apply your skills to a work setting in a relevant justice organisation.
Past students have completed placements with:
- Victoria Police
- welfare and victim support services
- Corrections Victoria
- youth justice services
- Magistrate's, Children’s and Supreme Courts.
Completing a professional internship will help you learn by observing and participating in team environments, and train you to make informed decisions about employment at the end of your studies.
You may complete your internship by
- placement within a relevant justice organisation for a minimum period of 20 days; OR
- completing a 20 day internship with the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT (successful applicants for the Initiative only).
Electives
Your internship can be completed within Australia or in another country in an organisation or agency that is aligned with your study interests and career aspirations. In this multidisciplinary degree, you'll complete 12 psychology courses and 8 criminology courses. A further 4 elective courses are available across the 3 years of the degree.
Elective specialisations include
- criminal intelligence
- forensic studies
- drug-related crime
- international policing
- customs and border security
- youth justice
- terrorism.
Structure
Year 1
Study the foundations and principles of:
- psychology
- criminology
- law
- crime and information technology
- cross-cultural communications.
Year 2
Explore biological, developmental, cognitive and social psychology. Contemporary criminology studies will include case management in order to develop skills in dealing with clients, in interviewing and for managing people in various contexts.
Year 3
Cover advanced concepts such as psychological assessment and psychopathology. Forensic psychology and criminal behaviour analysis are capstone courses, bringing together your learning across the 3 years.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP295
Career
Use your strong understanding of psychological theories and practice to become a frontline justice worker.
As a graduate, you'll be ready to influence and shape legal, social and ethical issues in the field.
You’ll be prepared to meet the challenges of working in customs, corrections, child protection, welfare and youth services in justice organisations such as Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, the Department of Justice and Regulation, and the Department of Human Services.
This degree also provides the academic foundations for those wishing to pursue a career in various areas of psychology, including clinical, educational, organisational, developmental and forensic psychology.
Careers roles include:
- victim support officer
- police officer
- investigator
- corrections officer
- drug and alcohol support services worker
- policy writer
- customs and immigration officer
- crime analyst
- security analyst
- indigenous services liaison.
Accredited Psychology Major
This program is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is a partial requirement for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments).
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
To get a better understanding of admissions at RMIT, view our ATAR information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Successful completion of an Australian senior secondary certificate of education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL (or equivalent) or achieve an overall score of at least 155 in the STAT multiple choice.
If you were not studying year 12 in 2018 you should submit a personal statement outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
- your understanding of current issues relevant to the program
- details of any related work or voluntary experience
If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only, e.g. ATAR.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 70% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
Pathways
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$26,880.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$83,520.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.