200+ hours placement, research paper or thesis
Fast-track your master's to one year
Degree shaped by criminology agencies and industry
Why choose criminology at Deakin
Crime today is borderless, data-driven and constantly evolving. Deakin’s Master of Criminology gives you advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills to meet these challenges and shape fair and effective justice responses.
Designed with input from a panel spanning law enforcement, private security and justice agencies, ensuring job market relevance. Choose between two specialisations, digital criminology and global criminology, that reflect the future of crime, from ransomware to environmental injustice and human trafficking.
Examine crime, policy and prevention through debates on power, harm and justice, with a focus on the state, the digital world and the environment. You will also explore how policy operates within institutional constraints and how justice systems respond to emerging crime. Flexible pathways and online study allows you to tailor your degree through an internship, a supervised research paper or a thesis.
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Leading criminology discipline
Study with one of Australia’s most established and forward-looking criminology programs.
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Industry-informed learning
Course content is reviewed by law enforcement, private security and justice agencies to keep your study relevant.
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Flexible study pathways
Choose an internship, supervised research paper or thesis, and build expertise in digital or global criminology.
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Online study with research access
Learn on Deakin’s premium online platform and connect with leading research communities.
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 advanced knowledge for careers across corrections, case management, criminology and specialist advisory work. You may also contribute to research, intelligence, security and emerging areas of crime prevention.
Intelligence analyst
Gather, assess and interpret information to identify risks and support decisions. You may verify sources, recognise patterns, prepare intelligence reports and brief government, security or justice stakeholders.
- $108k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 16%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Policy adviser
Research complex social and justice issues, assess evidence and develop options for decision-makers. You may consult stakeholders, prepare briefings and support the implementation and review of public policy.
- $115k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 2,546
Jobs advertised
Professional areas
- Criminology
- Anti-corruption agencies
- Cybercrime and cybersecurity
- Criminology research
- Intelligence analysis
- Law enforcement
*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 Master of Criminology?
Examine crime, justice, policy and prevention. Then shape your degree through electives and a pathway aligned to your career or research goals.
Core ideas and contemporary issues
Study modern crime
Explore how power, harm and justice shape contemporary criminology, with attention to the state, the digital world and the environment.
Build policy insight
Develop a deeper understanding of how institutions respond to crime, what constrains decision-making and how justice policies operate in practice.
Shape your direction
Use electives to begin building depth in areas such as digitally enabled crime, global crime, security, human rights or related justice fields.
Specialise and apply
Choose a pathway that fits
Complete a professional experience capstone, a supervised research paper, or a minor thesis.
Deepen your specialist focus
Use your remaining study to build a coherent area of expertise, including a digital or global criminology focus that can be recognised on your transcript.
Graduate ready for complex work
Strengthen your research, analysis and communication skills for roles across justice, policy, law enforcement, intelligence, regulation and related fields.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Criminology, you must pass 8 or 12 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
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
Minor Thesis - PhD Pathway
Plus 2 credit points of research units:
Plus 3 or 7 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the course electives
Research Paper – non PhD Pathway^
Plus 5 or 9 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the course electives
Professional Experience – non PhD Pathway^
Plus 4 or 8 credit points (depending upon entry point) chosen from the course electives
^ The Research Paper and Professional Experience options are not PhD Pathways.
ACR704 Public Criminology and Criminology Knowledge [No longer available for enrolment]
Students who complete a specialisation will have the specialisation indicated on their academic transcript.
Specialisations are available in the following areas:
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
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 |
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| Engage in independent and self-directed research that leads to the application of advanced and integrated knowledge of criminological studies to review and critically analyse key issues in the definitions, history, causes, harms and prevention of different types of crime and criminal behaviour within Australia and internationally |
| Communicate research 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, including the public and individuals and groups associated with or engaged in criminological activities whilst meeting academic and professional standards |
| Employ a broad range of digital technologies to communicate types and forms of crime and appropriate 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 research skills and critical judgement to organise, synthesise and evaluate complex theoretical approaches to defining and understanding crime and criminal behaviours in a variety of forms and contexts, and critically analyse and make creative recommendations to improve current policies and practices of governments and criminal justice agencies in Australia and overseas intended to prevent and/or respond to crime and criminal behaviour |
| Critically analyse differing perspectives and approaches to preventing and responding to crime and criminal behaviour in a variety of contexts, nationally and internationally, and employ initiative, creativity and sound judgement to investigate complex problems in a systematic manner as well as generate creative solutions to crime and criminal behaviour that are sensitive to a diversity of contextual factors and the ethical, logical political or cultural dimensions of the problem |
| Critically engage in reflective practice that evidences initiative, autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to self-directed learning, research and skill development personally, academically and professionally in the field of criminological studies |
| 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 |
| Critically analyse and respond to issues in criminological studies, 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
- Master of Criminology
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A704
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$40,200
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points 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.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
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.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the 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.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Diploma of Criminology (A604)