Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is the only double degree of its kind in Victoria. Offering the unique combination of an accredited law degree with a specialised education in the causes of crime (Criminology) and the fallout of crime (Criminal Justice), this course arms you with the advanced skills to solve complex legal problems in an increasingly complex society.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

Bachelor of Laws:

• apply the principles and doctrines that underpin the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system
• build on and continuously develop ethical and professional responsibility in the practice of law and a commitment to the pursuit of justice
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues, including the role of innovation, technology, digital developments, and the policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• interpret issues affecting the legal status and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia and apply legal doctrine and other approaches to solve problems in preparation for professional practice acknowledging the culture, traditions and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other communities
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• effectively communicate persuasive legal arguments to legal and non-legal audiences
• function as an effective member or leader of a team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development

Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology:

• describe the nature of criminal activity and evaluate the main causes of crime 
• systematically review and undertake research to evaluate the consequences of crime on victims and the broader community
• reflect critically on diverse experiences and impacts of the criminal justice system and its processes, with a focus on the impacts of the system on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• apply knowledge and skills to compare and analyse Australia’s response to crime with that of other nations
• effectively and persuasively communicate with legal and non-legal audiences
• analyse information from a variety of sources to investigate and evaluate proposed solutions to crime
• evaluate technological and other scientific approaches to reducing crime and dealing with the consequences of crime.

Career opportunities

The objective of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology double degree is to bring together two of Swinburne’s existing degrees, the Bachelor of Laws, with the newly established Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology. The combination creates an impressive course that offers a multidisciplinary education and addresses the gap between demand and availability for double degrees of a high calibre. The pairing of law with existing degrees across different disciplines has the potential to increase the overall merit of the courses and in turn, the reputation of the University. 

The introduction of this double degree additionally has the potential to increase the number of enrolments at Swinburne and in turn, further contribute to the current growth and development of the university. This is due to the multidisciplinary nature of the course having the ability to attract a wider range of students as it caters to individuals who hold multiple areas of interest. It also presents a specialisation opportunity for law students who intend to practice in the field of criminal law or the criminal justice system.

The incorporation of these two popular areas of study will contribute towards stronger connections with industry and the community through enhanced commercialisation capability, connections with major law firms, and pro-bono work for non-profit organisations. In conjunction with the strong level of theoretical education, students will undertake a Practical Skills Program throughout this degree, resulting in graduates that are industry ready, adaptable and able to manage change, and consequently, highly attractive to potential employers.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Laws satisfies the academic requirements for admission to practice as a lawyer in the Victorian and Australian Federal legal systems as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. 

Please be advised that non-academic requirements must also be satisfied for admission to practice and that no law degree allows graduates to practise straight away. 

All laws graduates must also complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) prior to applying for admission to practice as a lawyer. Swinburne offers the opportunity to complete this PLT at the same time as completing your Bachelor of Laws via the Leo Cussen Centre for Law Swinburne Program.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, students must complete 475 credit points comprising: 

• twenty [20] Core Law Units (250 credit points)
• four [4] Law Electives (50 credit points)
• three [3] Professional Experiences in law (0 credit points)* (450 Professional Experience hours)
• fourteen [14] Core Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points)

*If a student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Where there is mandatory placement, students also have the opportunity to participate in a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.

Please note that due to government regulations, international students holding a student visa are not permitted to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Professional placements

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement must complete 575 credit points, including:

• twenty [20] Core Law Units (250 credit points)
• four [4] Law Electives (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points)* (450 Professional Experience hours)
• fourteen [14] Core Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points)
• four [4] Professional Placement units (100 credit points)

Students who undertake a 6-month professional placement must complete 525 credit points, including:

• twenty [20] Core Law Units (250 credit points)
• four [4] Law Electives (50 credit points)
• three (3) Professional Experiences units in law (0 credit points)* (450 Professional Experience hours)
• fourteen [14] Core Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology units (175 credit points)
• two [2] Professional Placement units (50 credit points)

Volume of Learning

The Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology consists of 475 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points with placement units carrying 25 credit points each. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points, and a standard part-time load comprises 50 credit points.

This course requires students to complete 450 hours Professional Experience.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is typically 4.5 years.

For students who complete a Professional Placement the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology consists of 525.5-575 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology with a 6-month placement is typically 5.5 years.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology with a 12-month placement is typically 6 years.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Criminal Justice discipline

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.