Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a unique double degree that combines legal training with a deep understanding of crime, justice systems, and social policy. It is designed for students who are interested in law, policing, criminal behaviour, courts, corrections, and justice reform, and who want to make a meaningful impact in legal and social justice sectors. Campus Location: ACU Melbourne Campus (Victoria), North Sydney Campus (NSW), or Brisbane Campus (QLD), offering access to major legal institutions, courts, and justice organisations in each city.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a foundation in both legal studies and criminology. Law subjects such as Legal Method and Reasoning, Foundations of Law, and Contracts Law introduce students to the Australian legal system and core legal principles. Alongside this, criminology units like Introduction to Criminology and Crime, Justice and Society help students understand crime patterns, justice responses, and social influences on criminal behaviour.

Year 2

The second year deepens legal and criminological knowledge through core areas such as Criminal Law, Torts, and Constitutional Law, which develop essential legal reasoning and case analysis skills. Criminology studies continue with units like Crime Prevention and Justice Systems, allowing students to examine policing, correctional systems, and crime control strategies in real-world contexts.

Year 3

In the third year, students advance into more complex legal studies including Administrative Law and Equity and Trusts, strengthening their understanding of legal frameworks and justice principles. Criminology units such as Youth Crime and Justice and Forensic Criminology provide applied insights into offender behaviour, criminal investigations, and justice responses.

Year 4

The fourth year focuses on professional legal practice and advanced justice studies. Students undertake units such as Civil Procedure and Evidence, while also exploring criminology electives including Cybercrime and Penology, which examine modern justice challenges, digital crime, and correctional systems.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete professional legal preparation through units like Legal Practice and Ethics and Advanced Advocacy, alongside specialised criminology electives. This year also includes practical legal learning experiences, helping students transition confidently into legal practice or justice-related careers.

Focus Areas:

Criminal Law, Criminal Justice Systems, Legal Practice, Criminology Theory, Policing and Security, Courts and Sentencing, Forensic Studies, Legal Ethics, Public Policy, Human Rights Law.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to apply legal reasoning and criminological theories to complex justice issues, analyse criminal behaviour and legal systems, demonstrate professional legal skills, conduct research in law and criminology, communicate effectively in legal contexts, and evaluate justice policies and reforms.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited by Australian legal professional admission authorities, meeting the academic requirements for admission to legal practice following completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

ACU is recognised for strong graduate outcomes and industry-focused education, with a 95% graduate employment rate reported by the university. Its law and justice programs are well regarded for combining academic rigour with practical experience and community engagement.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) is designed to give students real-world exposure to both legal practice and the criminal justice system. Throughout the degree, students learn through a blend of courtroom-style legal training, criminology research, and applied justice studies that connect theory with real legal and correctional environments. The program builds practical skills in legal reasoning, crime analysis, policy evaluation, and ethical decision-making, supported by strong links to community organisations and justice agencies. Students also engage with professional-style learning environments that mirror real legal and criminal justice settings:

80 hours of Pro Bono Legal Experience – Students complete mandatory community-based legal work, gaining hands-on experience in real legal services while supporting disadvantaged communities through ACU’s justice partnerships.
Industry Legal Partnerships – Practical engagement opportunities with organisations such as AED Legal, JobWatch, Knowmore Legal Service, Refugee Legal, and community legal centres across Australia, helping students understand real legal practice environments.
Criminal Justice & Criminology Applied Learning – Case-based learning in criminology and criminal law units, where students analyse real-world crime patterns, justice policies, and legal case studies.
Moot Court & Legal Skills Training – Simulated court environments where students develop advocacy, legal argumentation, and courtroom presentation skills essential for legal practice.
Legal Research Tools & Databases – Access to professional legal research platforms and databases used in Australian legal practice, supporting development of advanced research and case preparation skills.
Work-Integrated Learning & Justice Sector Exposure – Opportunities to connect with justice agencies, legal practitioners, and community organisations through placements, volunteering, and professional engagement activities.
ACU Law Clinics & Community Engagement – Participation in community-focused legal service initiatives where students contribute to real legal support work under supervision.
University Learning Resources & Library Support – Access to ACU’s legal research collections, criminology journals, and academic databases that support both legal and criminal justice study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws at Australian Catholic University (ACU) prepares graduates for impactful careers at the intersection of law, crime prevention, justice reform, and public policy. Students develop a strong foundation in legal reasoning, criminal law, criminological theory, and justice systems, equipping them for roles such as Solicitor, Criminal Lawyer, Policy Adviser, Corrections Officer, and Intelligence or Crime Analyst within government and justice organisations. This dual qualification is especially valuable for students interested in understanding both the legal framework and the social causes of crime.

This strong career preparation is supported by several key advantages:

Excellent Graduate Employment Outcomes – ACU reports that 95% of graduates are employed, highlighting the university’s strong focus on employability, practical learning, and industry engagement.
Career Development Services – Students benefit from ACU’s dedicated employability support, including career consultations, professional mentoring, networking opportunities, resume and interview preparation, internship guidance, and graduate employment resources designed to support successful career transitions.
Industry Partnerships and Justice Sector Connections – ACU collaborates with organisations such as AED Legal, JobWatch, Knowmore Legal Service, Refugee Legal, Peninsula Community Legal Centre, Western Sydney Community Legal Centre, Justice Reform Initiative, and Young Workers Centre, giving students exposure to real-world legal and justice environments.
Practical Pro Bono Experience – Students complete 80 hours of pro bono legal experience, applying legal knowledge in real cases while contributing to community legal services and gaining valuable professional experience.
Long-Term Professional Accreditation Value – The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited and recognised by legal admission authorities in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, meeting the academic requirements for admission to legal practice following completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).
Graduate Salary Prospects – Graduates entering legal, criminal justice, policy, and government roles typically earn between AUD $70,000 and $105,000 per year, depending on their role, sector, and experience level. Salaries increase significantly with professional progression and legal admission.
Strong Criminal Justice Career Pathways – Graduates are well prepared for careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections services, intelligence agencies, policy departments, legal practice, youth justice, and community rehabilitation services.
Transferable Professional Skills – Students graduate with expertise in legal analysis, criminal law, investigative thinking, policy evaluation, communication, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving, making them highly adaptable across justice and legal sectors.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice/Bachelor of Laws, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. Students interested in further legal specialisation may pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) in areas such as criminal law, human rights law, international law, or dispute resolution. The criminology component also provides pathways into postgraduate study in criminology, forensic studies, policing, intelligence analysis, public policy, or corrections management. Graduates interested in research, academia, or leadership roles can continue into Master by Research or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs, opening opportunities in justice reform, legal scholarship, policy development, and senior roles within government and justice agencies.