Bachelors of Laws (Honours) / Criminology and Criminal Justice

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Griffith University Gold Coast Campus

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University Gold Coast Campus is a dynamic double degree designed for students who want to understand both the legal system and the deeper causes of crime and justice in society. It blends rigorous legal training with criminology insights, preparing graduates for impactful careers in law, justice, policy, and social reform.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in legal thinking and social inquiry through core units such as Foundations of Law, Criminology: Theories of Crime, and Justice and Society. Alongside these, students begin developing essential analytical and research skills that shape both legal and criminological understanding. This year sets the groundwork for how law operates within broader social systems.

Year 2

Year 2 introduces deeper legal study with units like Contract Law, Criminal Law, and Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems. Students also explore policing and crime patterns through criminology-focused courses, strengthening their ability to analyse real-world justice issues. The focus shifts toward applying legal principles to contemporary criminal justice challenges.

Year 3

In the third year, students engage with more complex legal frameworks including Torts, Constitutional Law, and Crime and Deviance Studies. Criminology units such as Penology and Punishment help students understand correctional systems and rehabilitation approaches. This year enhances critical thinking around how law and justice systems interact in practice.

Year 4

Year 4 focuses on advanced legal training with subjects such as Administrative Law, Property Law, and Evidence Law, alongside criminology electives like Policing and Society. Students begin to integrate both disciplines more closely, analysing legal processes alongside crime control strategies. This stage prepares students for professional-level legal reasoning and justice analysis.

Year 5

The final year includes the Honours component and advanced electives such as Legal Research Project, Advanced Criminal Justice Studies, and Human Rights Law. Students complete in-depth research and apply both legal and criminological perspectives to complex real-world issues. This year solidifies graduate readiness for legal practice, policy roles, or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

Law, criminal justice systems, criminological theory, legal research, human rights, policing, courts and sentencing, social justice

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to analyse and apply legal principles, evaluate crime and justice systems, conduct advanced legal research, and develop evidence-based solutions to real-world legal and criminological challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This program is aligned with academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of practical legal training. It also supports pathways into criminology, policy development, corrections, and justice-related organisations.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Griffith University is consistently recognised in global rankings such as the QS World University Rankings and is well regarded for law, criminology, and social justice disciplines, with strong graduate employability outcomes across Australia’s legal and public sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University is designed to move you beyond theory and into real legal and justice system practice from early in your degree. At the Gold Coast campus, students learn in a professionally simulated environment where law and criminology are taught through case-based learning, courtroom practice, and applied justice research. You’ll develop practical skills through direct engagement with legal reasoning, criminal behaviour analysis, and justice system processes using industry-standard tools and learning spaces:

Here’s how learning becomes hands-on and career-focused:

Moot Court Training: Practice real courtroom procedures in purpose-built moot court facilities, building advocacy, reasoning, and legal argument skills.
Griffith Law Clinic: Gain supervised experience working on real or simulated legal matters, developing client communication and legal problem-solving skills.
Criminology Research Training: Work within the Griffith Criminology Institute environment, engaging with contemporary crime, justice, and policy research.
Legal Research Tools: Use professional databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis for case law, statutes, and legal commentary analysis.
Justice System Simulations: Participate in scenario-based learning involving policing, courts, and corrections processes.
Interdisciplinary Group Projects: Collaborate on real-world justice and law reform issues, combining legal analysis with criminological insights.
Data & Crime Analysis Tools: Develop applied research skills using statistical and social science tools commonly used in criminology studies (e.g., SPSS-style analysis).
Library & Legal Resources Access: Full access to Griffith University Library’s extensive legal collections, journals, and digital research databases.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University are well prepared for careers at the intersection of law, justice, and public policy. You’ll develop the capability to work in legal services, criminal justice agencies, and policy-focused organisations, with strong pathways into both legal and criminological professions. Typical career outcomes include roles such as: Criminal Lawyer, Policy Advisor, Criminologist, and Criminal Justice Officer.

This program supports strong employability outcomes through:

University career support services: Griffith’s Careers and Employment Service provides one-on-one career coaching, internship placement support, and employer networking events to help students transition into the workforce.
Employment outcomes & salary insights: Graduates in law and criminology fields in Australia commonly progress into roles with median salary ranges of approximately AUD $70,000 – $110,000+, depending on role, experience, and sector (legal, government, or private practice).
Industry connections & partnerships: Strong links with justice departments, courts, policing agencies, and legal organisations across Queensland provide real-world exposure and internship opportunities during study.
Professional recognition & accreditation value: The law component is designed to support pathways toward legal practice, with qualifications aligned to professional legal education standards in Australia.
Graduate outcomes: Students gain advanced legal reasoning, criminal justice analysis, research capability, and policy evaluation skills that are highly valued across government and legal sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates may choose to continue into postgraduate study such as a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) to qualify for legal admission, or pursue a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice, or research degrees (Honours extension or PhD). These pathways allow further specialisation in areas like criminal law, forensic criminology, public policy, or international justice systems.