Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

This double degree is perfect for curious, empathetic thinkers who want to understand people and make a real difference in society. It combines the science of human behaviour with insights into crime, justice, and the systems that shape our communities, giving you the skills to understand why people act the way they do and how laws and policies respond to real-world challenges. Along the way, you’ll build practical skills, professional confidence, and the kind of perspective that employers value.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll start exploring both psychology and criminology, discovering what makes people tick in courses like Foundations of Psychology and Introduction to Criminology. Early hands-on work in Research Design will teach you to think like a scientist, while classes like Introduction to Criminal Justice System and Policy show how laws shape society and why they matter.

Year 2: This is where things get even more interesting. You’ll dive into Life Span Development and Social Psychology to understand behaviour in context, while criminology subjects such as Violent Crime and Society and Juvenile Justice give you insight into real-world challenges. You’ll begin to see how individual experiences connect with wider social issues.

Year 3: Your studies take a deeper turn. In psychology, you’ll explore Personality and Individual Differences and tackle advanced Research Design, sharpening your analytical skills. Criminology and criminal justice courses like Police Studies and Public Law will show you how justice is delivered on the ground. This year also offers real-world experience through community engagement and professional placements, letting you apply what you’ve learned and start acting like the graduate you’re becoming.

Year 4: The final year is all about refinement and real-world application. Advanced psychology courses like Psychological Assessment and Brain and Behaviour fine-tune your technical skills, while specialist criminology subjects such as Customs, Border Protection and Biosecurity explore emerging challenges in justice. You’ll finish your degree with a mix of advanced theory, practical electives, and reflective learning that prepares you for the next step in your career.

Focus Areas: Integrating psychological insight with criminology and criminal justice practice.

Learning Outcomes: You’ll graduate with strong critical thinking, research expertise, behavioural insight, and practical experience that sets you apart in the workplace.

Professional Alignment: The psychology component meets the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council Level 1 standards, meaning your studies are recognised and respected — and you’ll be well-prepared if you choose to pursue further professional training.

Reputation & Employability: Australian Catholic University is known for its supportive student experience and strong graduate outcomes. With recognition in global rankings like QS and Times Higher Education, your degree carries weight with employers and sets you up for a career that makes a difference.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re looking for a degree that goes beyond textbooks, the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at ACU Melbourne is designed to help you grow into a capable, job-ready professional. From day one, you’ll be exploring real ways of understanding human behaviour, crime, justice systems, and social policies—and learning how to turn that knowledge into practical skills you can use in the workplace. This course blends psychology and criminology so seamlessly that by the time you’re graduating, you won’t just think like a professional—you’ll have already started practicing like one. At its heart, this degree is all about learning through doing, reflecting, and connecting with the people and communities who make your studies come alive.

Here’s how you’ll get hands-on experience as you study:

Work experience placements of 40–100 hours in psychology-related or criminal justice roles, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in real workplaces.
Volunteering opportunities focused on psychology or criminal justice, so you can give back to the community while building your skills.
Community engagement units like Psychological Services Experience or Community Engagement in Criminal Justice, where you’ll be embedded in practical, real-world settings.
Job Kits developed with industry partners, which give you an inside look at what professionals do every day and help you plan your career while you study.

These aren’t just extras—they’re built right into the course so that your skills grow naturally through experience, reflection, and genuine connection with the communities and systems you’ll one day work in.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree is designed to set you up for meaningful, real-world work as soon as you graduate. It’s not just about learning theories — it combines understanding people with understanding systems of justice, so you’ll be ready to make a tangible difference in communities, legal settings, or public safety roles. Graduates often go on to careers like policy advisor, community corrections officer, police officer (state or federal), immigration and border protection official, or work in areas such as child welfare, community support, and even market research.

Here’s what this could mean for you:

Real work experience built in: You’ll complete 40–100 hours of hands-on work experience through ACU’s work‑integrated learning program. Whether it’s in the criminal justice sector or psychology‑related settings, you’ll gain professional skills and make contacts before you even graduate.

Community engagement and practical learning: Volunteering and community involvement are a big part of the program. This isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s a chance to deepen your understanding, build empathy, and make your resume stand out.

Accreditation that counts: The psychology component is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). That means your credentials are recognised by employers and essential if you decide to pursue registration as a psychologist later.

Strong graduate outcomes: ACU graduates consistently enjoy high employment rates. Being part of a university that’s ranked among the top Catholic and young universities globally reflects the quality of teaching and how prepared students are to step into their careers.

A broader perspective: Because this is a double degree, you’ll graduate with more than just one set of skills. From forensic science and cybercrime to human behaviour and mental processes, your understanding spans multiple fields — giving you a real edge in the job market.

Pathways to further study: If you enjoy academic life or want to specialise further, this degree has clear pathways. You could move into honours programs, postgraduate study, or research in criminology, psychology, or related fields. This is especially important if you aim to become a registered psychologist in Australia or want to take on higher-level roles in law, mental health, or community services.

The program is designed to keep your options open — you can jump straight into the workforce, or continue your studies to specialise even further. Either way, you’ll leave with practical skills, deep insights, and the kind of experience that employers really value.