Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
ATAR 80.00
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Duration
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 3 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
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Next intake
February, July
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Entry score
IELTS 6.5
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Duration
Full-time 3 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$24,960 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
Program brochure
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Overview
Whether it's at the front line of Australia's border protection or working with Australia's Federal Police, criminal justice opens up all kinds of local and international career options.
This highly regarded program focuses on preparing you for employment. Close links with criminal justice agencies are built into its design, development and delivery.
You'll explore how criminal justice systems work to serve individuals and the community through law enforcement, policy, practice and reform.
You’ll be introduced to key institutions and concepts in criminal justice, including policing and the correctional system. You’ll also learn about the uses of technology in crime, crime theories and crime investigation.
Classes about international human rights, global crime and public policy will give you the chance to expand your knowledge and expertise. In your final year, you’ll put your skills to the test with a 50-day work placement in a criminal justice organisation.
Learn through innovative programs like the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initative, a project where students work on real cases of wrongful conviction.
If you want to enter the police forces, or work in corrections, courts, customs and related agencies, this program is for you.
The program also provides a qualification for those working in relevant agencies to assist with career progression and moving into other related fields.
Details
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.
You will have access to online and digital resources like RMIT's Learning Hub and the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.
Using RMIT's strong links with federal and state governments and the wider justice sector, this program equips students to become industry-focused graduates.
A formal, 50-day work placement in your final year will reward you with a better understanding of workplace practices.
You'll gain practical experience through an extensive supervised placement in a criminal justice agency or other organisation such as:
- Victoria Police
- Australian Federal Police
- Customs and Border Security
- Corrections
- Community Services
- the courts system
- local authorities
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
In addition to 17 core subjects your 6 electives let you specialise in a particular field or skill area. These electives include:
- criminal intelligence
- criminal behaviour analysis
- drug-related crime
- forensic studies
- international policing
- customs
- women and international justice
- youth justice
- criminal law
- principles of evidence
- terrorism
- therapeutic jurisprudence
- contemporary sentencing
- mediation
- case management practice
- community corrections.
Year 1
You'll study 7 core courses and 1 elective. You'll be introduced to key institutions and concepts in criminal justice, including policing and the correctional system. You'll also learn about the uses of technology in crime, crime investigation, cross cultural communication and psychology.
Year 2
You'll study 6 core courses and 2 electives. You'll learn more about theories in crime and offending, the correctional system, public policy and social research. You'll also study international human rights and global crime.
Year 3
You'll study 4 core courses and 3 electives. You'll be prepared for employment in the criminal justice sector by studying theories about working in organisations, crime prevention, and the ethical practices expected of those who work in the administration of criminal justice.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice Administration) | City Campus |
3 years full time
6 years part time
|
3 years full time
|
BP023P05 | 012347G | |
| Bachelor of Criminal Justice | City Campus |
3 years full time
6 years part time
|
3 years full time
|
BP023P16 | 012347G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP023
Career
Your career prospects are excellent and include roles with:
- Australian Federal Police
- Victoria Police
- Customs and Border Protection
- Victorian Gaming Commission
- community corrections
- Department of Justice
- Department of Human Services
- courts
Other avenues of employment in civil and criminal law firms and a wide range of other organisations include:
- security management
- private security firms
- research
- prisons administration
- prosecutions
- child protection
- counselling
- administrators
- youth justice
- dispute settlement
- mediation
- forensics
Admissions
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent.
RMIT is committed to admissions transparency. View the 2018 ATAR distribution information for our degrees and information about how admissions work at RMIT:
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 70% average (check calculator below).
For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to an Australian Year 12, see the Entry requirements by country web page.
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.
Entry requirements
If you are not studying year 12 in 2017 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.
Non-academic abilities you’ll need to complete this program
To complete this program, you will need to meet its inherent requirements. These are the non-academic abilities you will need to participate in and complete your studies.
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading and writing skills for understanding and contributing to reports and briefs
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent client care
- time based problem solving, planning and managing competing demands and tasks
View the full list of Bachelor of Criminal Justice inherent requirements:
Who are they for?
Inherent requirements apply to every applicant and may be worth considering if you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition.
Why do you need to know?
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, and the non-academic abilities you may need in this program, 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.
What support is available?
If there are any activities that may be difficult for you to undertake, please discuss this with RMIT program staff or Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we may be able to 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 ELS.
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.
Non-academic abilities you’ll need to complete this program
To complete this program, you will need to meet its inherent requirements. These are the non-academic abilities you will need to participate in and complete your studies.
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading and writing skills for understanding and contributing to reports and briefs
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent client care
- time based problem solving, planning and managing competing demands and tasks
View the full list of Bachelor of Criminal Justice inherent requirements:
Who are they for?
Inherent requirements apply to every applicant and may be worth considering if you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition.
Why do you need to know?
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, and the non-academic abilities you may need in this program, 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.
What support is available?
If there are any activities that may be difficult for you to undertake, please discuss this with RMIT program staff or Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we may be able to 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 ELS.
Pathways
Fees
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
As a CSP student, you may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which allows you to defer payment of up to 100% of your student contribution.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
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 2018
| Student contribution band by course (subject) | Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2018 |
|---|---|
| Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing | $6,444 per standard year $805 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $9,185 per standard year $1,148 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 3: law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science |
$10,754 per standard year $1,344 per standard (12 credit point) course |
HECS-HELP
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 100% of their student contribution.
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 100% 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 2018 is $298.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA‑HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
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 2018 is AU$24,960.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$79,680.
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.