Key facts
Duration
1 year part-time
Locations
This course is only offered Online
Course overview
Studying the Graduate Certificate of Criminology gives you a solid base of knowledge in crime and criminal justice. Begin to approach criminal behaviour, crime policy and prevention from a different angle, applying your learnings to further study or directly in the workforce.
Are you ready to start building your own network of industry connections?
Deakin's postgraduate criminology courses are designed with input from a variety of industry partners and relevant stakeholders including police, policy and regulatory agencies so you can be confident that the skills you develop studying Deakin's Graduate Certificate of Criminology will be relevant to your future or existing career.
You'll push the boundaries of the way we currently look at justice and creatively examine areas of ongoing and emerging criminological concern. Get ready to engage and debate pressing issues of local, national and global concern.
Your core subjects will focus on crime and innovative justice and criminological policy and criminal justice practice. You can also choose elective units, allowing you to create a degree built for your unique career goals. Your elective unit options include:
- Critical Criminology Theory
- Public Criminology and Criminological Knowledge
- Challenges to Democratic Governance
- Human Rights in World Politics
While the course is conveniently offered on our premium online learning platform, there are also opportunities to engage in practical learning. During the course, you can utilise Deakin's cutting-edge immersive learning environments to experience lively and engaging content.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 28 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Criminology
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- A504
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 0102047 Burwood (Melbourne)
- 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
Leader in online study
Join more than 78,000 online Deakin students who have successfully graduated from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Discover why we’re a leader in online university courses.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Criminology, you must pass 4 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 2 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of course elective units.
Most units are equal to one credit point.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Note: This course is part-time only.
Plus 2 credit points of electives from:
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
ACHIEVE WORK-LIFE BALANCE AT THE #1 VICTORIAN UNI FOR COURSE SATISFACTION
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent).
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to: Enforcement, Investigation and Compliance, Enforcement, investigation and compliance officers (Victoria Police, Correction Department of Justice and Community, Centre Link, Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission, ATO, Insurance Companies, Victoria Licensing Authority, Department of Transport, Department of Employment, Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning); Security and Intelligence.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$14,900 - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan – including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP – depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Need more information on how to apply?
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
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).
Career outcomes
As a graduate, your deeper understanding of crime and criminal justice will be in high demand by agencies focused on specific areas of the community. If you're already in the workforce, you'll be prepared for roles that require advanced knowledge, ensuring you're capable of making well-rounded decisions that will positively impact lives.
Once successfully completing this course, you'll also be eligible to apply for the Master of Criminology - a further step in the right direction to becoming a senior criminological expert.
With a Graduate Certificate of Criminology, you can confidently apply for roles as a corrections officer, case manager/worker or specialist adviser and explore a variety of areas, including:
- anti-corruption agencies
- correctional facilities and prisons
- community services
- criminology research
- government agencies
- intelligence and security services
- sociology and youth work
- state and federal police
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | 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 |
| Communication | 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 |
| Digital literacy | 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 |
| Critical thinking | 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 |
| Problem solving | 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 |
| Teamwork | 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 |
| Global citizenship | 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
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
