Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science

4 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

La Trobe University

Program Overview

La Trobe’s Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Psychological Science brings together two deeply human ways of understanding the world. You’ll dig into why people think, feel and behave the way they do, while also exploring how societies respond to crime, harm and justice. It’s a great fit if you’re curious about people, motivated by fairness, and keen to make a difference — whether that’s in community work, policy, or roles that support people through complex life situations. Campus location: Melbourne (Bundoora Campus), Victoria, Australia.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1 is all about getting your bearings. You’ll be introduced to big ideas around crime and justice through units like Understanding Crime and Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice, alongside psychology foundations such as Foundations of Psychological Science and Psychology: Fundamentals of Human Behaviour. This year helps you start thinking critically about behaviour and society, and sets up the questions you’ll keep returning to as the degree unfolds.

Year 2 takes you deeper into how systems and people interact. On the criminology side, units like Police, Society & Democracy and Sentencing and Corrections unpack how laws, institutions and public attitudes shape justice outcomes. In psychology, studies in Social Behaviour and Developmental Psychology help you understand how people change over time and relate to others within families, groups and communities.

Year 3 feels more applied and career-focused. You’ll explore specialised criminology areas such as Justice and Community Case Management or From Prisons to Detention Centres, while psychology units like Research Methods and Health Behaviour strengthen your ability to interpret evidence and understand real-world behaviour. This is also the stage where electives let you follow your interests and start thinking seriously about placements or research pathways.

Year 4 brings everything together. You’ll tackle capstone-style learning that asks you to apply theory to real challenges — from analysing justice policies to interpreting psychological research or gaining hands-on experience through a work placement. By the end, you’re not just learning about systems and behaviour — you’re practising how to work within them.

Focus Areas:
Understanding human behaviour within justice systems, crime prevention, research and evidence-based practice, community engagement and applied psychology.

Learning Outcomes:
A strong, confident grasp of psychological science and criminological theory, practical research skills, and the ability to apply these insights to support individuals and influence social systems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The degree is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework and gives you a solid pathway into further psychology study if you choose — such as Honours or professional accreditation — while also building criminology knowledge that employers across justice and community sectors value.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
At La Trobe, you’ll graduate from a university with a strong global reputation. Psychology is ranked among the world’s top 200 subjects, and La Trobe’s consistent QS global standing reflects how the university is viewed by employers and academic peers — a reputation that can genuinely help when you’re stepping into work or further study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science at La Trobe University is built around real-world practice, modern psychology training environments, and hands-on criminology learning. Students develop practical skills through laboratory-based psychology sessions, research training, and justice-focused case studies that mirror real professional settings. Learning is supported by industry-standard tools, interactive teaching spaces, and applied projects that connect theory directly to practice: combining psychological science with criminology in meaningful, career-ready ways.

Students also gain experience through structured research training, supervised practical learning, and industry engagement opportunities that build confidence in both human behaviour analysis and justice system work:

Psychology research laboratories: Students use dedicated psychology labs to study cognition, behaviour, perception, and mental processes through guided experiments and supervised research projects.
Criminology industry placements: Students gain real-world exposure through placements and field education in justice-related organisations, including community services and criminal justice agencies.
Data analysis software (SPSS & NVivo): Students develop research and analytical skills using professional tools for statistical analysis and qualitative data interpretation used in psychology and criminology research.
Psychological testing and assessment tools: Training includes exposure to psychological measurement techniques used to understand behaviour, personality, and cognitive processes.
Research participation and group projects: Students work in collaborative research teams, conducting behavioural studies, criminology case analyses, and applied social science projects.
La Trobe Psychology and Social Science learning facilities: Dedicated learning spaces support seminars, supervised research, and skill development in behavioural science and justice studies.
La Trobe University Library and digital research databases: Students access extensive academic journals, criminology case databases, and psychology research collections to support assignments and research projects.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Structured opportunities connect students with industry partners in justice, community services, and behavioural research settings for practical experience before graduation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science at La Trobe University gain a powerful combination of expertise in human behaviour, mental processes, and criminal justice systems. This double degree prepares students to understand why crime occurs and how it can be prevented, equipping them for impactful roles across psychology-informed justice, community services, and public safety sectors. Graduates are highly valued for their ability to apply behavioural science to real-world justice challenges.

Common career pathways include Criminal Psychologist (further study required), Youth Justice Officer, Behavioural Analyst, and Community Corrections Officer, with opportunities across government agencies, health services, and justice organisations:

Career Support Services: La Trobe’s Career Ready Advantage program supports students through personalised career coaching, résumé and interview preparation, employer networking events, mentoring opportunities, and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL). Students also gain hands-on experience through placements and industry projects that strengthen employability before graduation.
Employment Statistics & Salary Figures: Graduates in criminology and psychological science fields are in steady demand across justice, health, and community sectors. Early-career salaries typically range from AUD $65,000–$85,000 per year, with a median salary of approximately AUD $72,000, depending on role type, sector, and further qualifications.
University–Industry Partnerships: La Trobe University works closely with government departments, justice agencies, health services, and community organisations. These partnerships support placements, applied learning experiences, and real-world case studies that prepare students for professional practice in psychology and criminology-related fields.
Long-Term Qualification Value: This double degree provides a strong foundation in both behavioural science and criminal justice, creating long-term flexibility across psychology, human services, and justice careers. The psychology component also aligns with Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) standards, supporting progression into accredited postgraduate psychology training pathways.
Graduate Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for roles in youth justice, corrections, behavioural research, case management, community services, and crime prevention. The program develops strong skills in research, psychological assessment, communication, and criminal behaviour analysis, enabling graduates to work effectively in complex human and justice systems.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates can continue their studies through postgraduate pathways such as an Honours year in Psychology, Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology, Master of Criminology, Master of Social Work (Qualifying), Master of Public Policy, or research degrees including Master of Research or PhD. These pathways enable progression toward professional psychology registration, leadership roles, and advanced research careers in justice and behavioural science.