Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science

4 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science is designed for curious minds who want to understand both human behaviour and the causes of crime. You’ll explore everything from forensic psychology to criminal justice, developing practical skills that prepare you for meaningful careers in law, psychology, and social justice.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by building a solid foundation in both disciplines, with units like Introducing Crime and Criminology, Foundations of Psychological Science, and Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour. These courses let you explore why people act the way they do and how society responds to crime, while developing analytical and research skills in real-world contexts.

Year 2: Here, your understanding deepens as you tackle units such as Issues in Criminal Justice, Psychology Research Methods (Introductory), and Health Psychology (Behaviour Change). You’ll learn to critically examine social justice issues, study human development, and see how psychological principles can be applied to crime prevention and rehabilitation.

Year 3: This is where theory meets practice. Units like Criminology Research, Forensic Psychology, and Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) immerse you in investigative techniques and applied psychology. You’ll gain hands-on experience with data analysis, case studies, and practitioner-led activities that mirror real professional settings.

Year 4: You’ll consolidate your expertise with advanced units such as Digital Criminology: Technologies of Crime and Control, Psychopathology, and Applied Counselling Skills (Intermediate). This final year lets you refine practical skills, tackle complex scenarios, and prepare an e-portfolio that demonstrates your readiness for careers in criminology, psychology, or beyond.

Focus Areas:
Forensic psychology, criminal justice, crime prevention, human behaviour, rehabilitation

Learning Outcomes:
Develop expert knowledge of crime and psychology, practical research skills, and career-ready experience

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The psychological science stream is professionally accredited, giving you a clear pathway to further training and eventual registration as a psychologist, while also equipping you with practical skills employers value from day one.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
Deakin is Victoria’s top university for graduate employment, combining world-class facilities, industry placements, and expert guidance to ensure you graduate career-ready and highly competitive in your field.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re drawn to understanding the “why” behind crime and human behaviour, Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science is designed to turn your curiosity into real-world skills. This double degree doesn’t just give you theory — it immerses you in practical, career-ready experiences that bridge both psychology and criminology. From practitioner-led seminars to hands-on activities and building an e-portfolio, you’ll gain tools you can actually use in workplaces like criminal justice, counselling, or research. By the time you graduate, you’ll not only have two degrees, but a portfolio of applied experience that makes you stand out in any job market.

Here’s how the program brings experiential learning to life:

Practitioner-driven seminars connecting theory to real-world criminal justice and psychological work
Careers-focused units where you complete activities bridging classroom learning and professional practice
Development of a professional e-portfolio to showcase your applied skills for employment or career progression
Applied psychology practice units, including introductory and intermediate counselling skills
Forensic psychology units exploring practical applications within legal and justice settings
Opportunities to analyse real crime scenarios, policy development, and the social impacts of crime through hands-on coursework

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities
Graduating from this double degree opens doors to a wide range of careers where understanding human behaviour and crime is key. Many graduates move into roles such as forensic psychologist, crime analyst, probation officer, or policy advisor. You’ll leave Deakin not just with two degrees, but with practical skills, professional insights, and a career-ready mindset that employers value.

Here’s what this means for you:

Career support and employability services: Deakin offers lifelong career guidance, plus access to industry-driven workshops, mentoring, and e-portfolios to showcase your skills.
Graduate employment advantage: Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, meaning you’ll have strong support entering the workforce.
Industry connections: You’ll benefit from practitioner-led seminars, placements, and collaborations across psychology, criminology, and justice sectors.
Accreditation and recognition: The psychological science stream is professionally accredited, giving you a pathway toward general registration as a psychologist.
Practical, career-ready learning: The course emphasizes applied learning, from forensic psychology techniques to understanding crime prevention and rehabilitation, ensuring you graduate with skills that transfer directly to professional settings.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this double degree, you could continue into postgraduate studies such as a Master of Psychology (Clinical or Organisational), criminology research programs, or other specialised graduate pathways at Deakin. This sets you up to deepen expertise, pursue professional registration as a psychologist, or take on advanced roles in criminal justice, research, or policy development.