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.

Campus locations: This program is delivered at Deakin’s Burwood (Melbourne) Campus and Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, giving students access to modern law facilities and strong metropolitan and regional learning environments.

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.)

Students in Deakin University's Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science gain hands-on experience by combining the study of crime, justice and human behaviour with practical psychological skills. Throughout the degree, students engage in applied learning activities, practitioner-led seminars, counselling skills training, criminology research projects and real-world case analysis. The course is designed to bridge theory and practice, helping students develop professional skills that are highly valued across criminal justice, community services, psychology and policy sectors. Practical learning is embedded throughout the degree, allowing students to build research, communication, analytical and digital skills using industry-relevant tools and methods:

Careers-Focused Professional Practice Units: Students complete dedicated career-focused units featuring practitioner-driven seminars, activities that connect theory with professional practice, and the development of a professional e-portfolio that can be used for employment and career development.
Criminology Practicum Experience: The criminology component includes opportunities to undertake a Criminology Practicum, where students engage with industry professionals, explore contemporary criminal justice issues and gain insights into real-world criminology careers.
Psychology Research Training: Students develop practical research capabilities through Psychology Research Methods units, learning how to design studies, collect and analyse data, interpret findings and apply statistical techniques used in psychological research.
Applied Counselling Skills Training: The program includes Applied Counselling Skills units that allow students to practise interviewing, active listening, rapport building, questioning techniques, reflective responding and professional communication skills used in psychological settings.
Forensic Psychology Studies: Students explore forensic psychology, applying psychological principles to criminal behaviour, investigations, offender rehabilitation and justice-related contexts, creating a direct connection between both disciplines.
Digital Research and Analysis Tools: Students use contemporary digital technologies to access psychological and criminological research, evaluate evidence, conduct research projects, prepare reports and deliver professional presentations.
Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities: Selected units may provide Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences, enabling students to gain exposure to professional environments and strengthen industry readiness before graduation.
Collaborative Group Projects: Students work in interdisciplinary teams on research activities, case studies and problem-solving projects, reflecting the collaborative nature of psychology, criminology and criminal justice professions.
Research Facilities and Learning Resources: Students have access to Deakin's extensive library network, digital learning environments, research databases, psychology teaching facilities and collaborative study spaces across the Burwood and Waurn Ponds campuses. These resources support both psychological and criminological research throughout the degree.
Professional Accreditation: The psychological science component is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), ensuring students complete an approved sequence of psychology studies and can progress toward professional psychology pathways.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science at Deakin University gain a powerful combination of expertise in criminal behaviour, mental processes and social justice, preparing them for careers that require both analytical and people-focused skills. Graduates may pursue roles such as Crime Intelligence Analyst, Behavioural Research Officer, Youth Justice Worker and Case Manager, while developing a deep understanding of human behaviour, crime prevention and evidence-based decision-making. This unique double degree opens opportunities across government, community services, justice agencies and research organisations:

Career Support Services: Deakin supports students through DeakinTALENT, which provides personalised career coaching, résumé and interview assistance, employer networking opportunities, mentoring programs, volunteering experiences and access to internships. Students can also enhance their employability through work-integrated learning and industry engagement opportunities available throughout their studies.
Employment Statistics & Median Salary: Deakin is ranked the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. Graduates from criminology and psychological science-related fields commonly enter careers across justice, community services, government and research sectors, with median graduate salaries typically ranging from AUD $65,000–$85,000 per year, depending on the role, location and level of responsibility. Experienced professionals in behavioural analysis, policy and management positions often earn significantly higher salaries.
University–Industry Partnerships: Deakin's criminology program has been developed in consultation with organisations including Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria, and the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers. Students also benefit from Deakin's strong industry links through guest lectures, professional networking opportunities, applied projects and practical learning experiences.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The psychological science component is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), providing a recognised pathway toward further psychology training and registration. This accreditation ensures graduates complete a qualification that meets nationally recognised standards and is valued by employers and postgraduate institutions across Australia.
Graduate Outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for careers in crime prevention, intelligence analysis, corrections, youth justice, community development, behavioural research, policy analysis and case management. The degree develops highly transferable skills in critical thinking, research, data interpretation, communication and problem-solving, making graduates attractive to employers across a wide range of sectors.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this double degree, students can continue into postgraduate study such as an Honours year in Psychology, Graduate Diploma of Psychology, Master of Psychology, Master of Criminology, Master of Public Health, Master of Social Work, Master of Business Administration (MBA) or research-focused qualifications including a Master of Research or PhD. The APAC-accredited psychological science component also provides an important foundation for students wishing to pursue professional psychology pathways through further accredited study.