Degree shaped by criminology agencies and industry
Pathway to the Master of Criminology
Study online, start in March or July
Why choose criminology at Deakin
Study Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Criminology and gain foundational knowledge in criminological theory, crime policy and prevention. You will begin to explore how crime is understood and addressed in contemporary society.
Designed with input from police, policy and regulatory organisations, the degree helps you build industry-relevant skills you can apply in further study or directly in the workforce. You will examine key issues in crime and justice and develop early critical thinking around how systems of justice operate and evolve.
Your core subjects focus on crime and innovative justice, criminological policy and criminal justice practice. You can also choose electives such as Populism and Policing Futures, Human Rights in World Politics and Terrorism in International Politics, allowing you to tailor your study to your career goals.
-
Degrees shaped by industry
Learn criminology shaped by police, policy, regulatory, law enforcement, private security and justice input.
-
Flexible online study
This graduate certificate is online and part time, so you can balance study with your other commitments.
-
Clear postgraduate pathway
Progress directly into Deakin’s Master of Criminology upon completion of this course.
-
Graduate with a competitive edge
9 in 10 Deakin postgraduate graduates are employed within four months.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build practical knowledge for roles across corrections, case management and specialist advisory work. You may apply your understanding of crime, justice and prevention in government, community and security settings.
Case manager
Assess client needs, coordinate services and develop practical plans that address complex circumstances. You may work with individuals, agencies and other stakeholders to support progress and wellbeing.
- $90k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 7,733
Jobs advertised
Criminologist
Research why crime occurs, examine justice systems and analyse patterns in offending. You may evaluate policies, develop prevention strategies and provide evidence to government, law enforcement and community organisations.
- $97k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 11.6%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Professional areas
- Specialist advisory work
- Anti-corruption agencies
- Correctional facilities and prisons
- Community services
- Criminology research
- Intelligence and security services
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Graduate Certificate of Criminology?
Build advanced knowledge of crime and criminal justice and test ideas against contemporary policy and practice. You can shape part of your learning around the issues you most want to explore.
Build your criminology lens
Interrogate crime and justice systems
Study crime, criminal justice and policy through contemporary perspectives. Explore power, harm and the experiences of underrepresented members of society.
Shape study around your interests
Alongside core learning, choose electives that extend your focus into areas such as surveillance, policing, global security or human rights.
Build industry-relevant skills
With industry-informed content, guided online learning and immersive experiences, you develop problem-solving skills used across policy, justice and community settings.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Criminology, you must pass 4 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
This course is part-time only.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Plus 2 credit points of electives from:
What to expect while studying
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Use advanced and integrated knowledge of criminological scholarship to review and analyse key issues in the definitions, history, causes, harms and prevention of different types of crime and criminal behaviour within Australia and internationally |
| Communicate the findings and analyses of criminological theories, concepts and their application to real-world contexts, in a broad range of written, oral and digital formats, to different audiences associated with or engaged in criminological activities |
| Employ a broad range of digital technologies to communicate types and forms of crime and appropriate prevention responses to a diverse range of audiences, including the public and individuals and groups associated with or engaged in criminal justice policy and practice |
| Exercise independent and critical judgement to organise, synthesise and evaluate complex theoretical approaches to defining and explaining crime and criminal behaviour in order to make recommendations to improve current policies and practices that address crime and criminal behaviour |
| Analyse differing perspectives and approaches to preventing and responding to crime and criminal behaviour in a variety of contexts and employ creative problem solving skills to investigate complex problems in a systematic manner as well as to generate creative, contextually aware solutions to those problems |
| Collaborate productively in teams to research and evaluate explanations for and responses to complex issues in crime and criminal behaviour in a variety of national and international contexts |
| Analyse and respond to criminological issues, in domestic, regional and international contexts, as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into account cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and adherence to professional and ethical standards in a variety of contexts |
Approved at Faculty Board March 2020
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Criminology
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A504
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$15,000
- Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your tuition fees.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Pathways
Students who successfully complete this course would meet the entry requirements and therefore be eligible to apply for admission into the A704 Master of Criminology (or similar).