Diploma of Criminology and Criminal Justice

The Diploma of Criminology and Criminal Justice is a one-year qualification that introduces you to how crime is defined, measured, explained and responded to in Australia. You study the institutions that make up the criminal justice system, police, courts, corrections and community agencies, and the social, psychological and legal ideas that sit behind them. It is a pathway qualification, so the point is to build your academic skills and subject knowledge before you move into a bachelor degree.

How the diploma is structured

As an AQF diploma, this course sits below a bachelor degree and is normally delivered over two or three study periods across a year. You complete a set of units of study, each carrying credit points, and you need to pass the required number of credit points to graduate. Assessment is usually a mix of essays, reports, exams and tutorial participation. Griffith College delivers it in partnership with Griffith University, and on successful completion you may receive credit towards a related bachelor degree, which shortens the degree itself. Credit arrangements vary, so check the official pathway details before you enrol.

What you actually study

Expect introductory units in criminology, criminal justice systems, law and society, research methods and academic writing. You look at why people offend, how crime is counted, what happens from arrest through to sentencing, and the debates around punishment and rehabilitation. Some units cover Indigenous justice issues and the over-representation of particular groups in the system, which is a live policy area in Australia. The skills you come out with are practical: reading legislation and case law, interpreting crime statistics, writing a clear argument, referencing properly and working in a group on a policy question.

Who it suits

This diploma suits recent school leavers who want a supported first year at university, and mature-age students changing into justice, policing, corrections, youth work or community legal roles. If you are not yet ready for direct entry to a bachelor degree, or you want a taste of criminology before committing to three years, it is a sensible starting point. International students should note the English requirement published for this course and confirm the exact score on the official page. While studying in Australia on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream if they meet the requirements. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 082070G.

• Police officer or police recruit, state and territory police services
• Correctional officer or case manager, corrective services agencies
• Youth justice worker or youth support officer, state youth justice departments and NGOs
• Community corrections officer, state and territory justice departments
• Court support officer or registry officer, courts and tribunals
• Victim support worker, community legal centres and victim services
• Security and intelligence analyst, private security firms and government agencies
• Policy or research assistant, justice departments, law reform bodies and research institutes

Many graduates use the diploma as a pathway into a bachelor degree in criminology, criminal justice, law, psychology or social work, which opens up roles such as solicitor, criminologist, probation officer or policy adviser. Always check the specific requirements of the employer or registration body you are targeting.