Diploma in Arts (Criminology)

The criminology program at the University of Melbourne was established in 1951 as the first criminology program in Australia. The program is a leader in the field, and attracts extensive research grants and contracts. Recent projects include an Australia-wide assessment of drug law enforcement strategies: a national review of closed circuit television systems; research into ways judges respond to the challenge of sentencing; management programs on graffiti art; comparative research into crime and violence; a study into progressions from juvenile to adult custody; research into indigenous Australians and the criminal justice system; and a study of the ways sensitive locations such as airports, sea ports and petro-chemical refineries deal with the risk of terrorist attack and other disasters.

High level research provides students with access to leading academics whose work forms the basis of many of the subjects. Students are thus provided with the most contemporary and original materials that will equip them with the means of dealing with the challenging issues of crime and justice. At honours level the optional fieldwork component provides students with hands-on experience, exposing them to the operations of various government and community-based agencies in dealing with issues involving crime and policy development.

Criminology is the study of processes of criminalisation and social control developed by the state. Criminology is an inherently multidisciplinary area of study, involving contributions from disciplines such as law, the social and behavioural sciences, psychiatry, history and philosophy. Criminology offers a broad range of theoretical and policy-related analyses. The practical focus of the discipline lies in an integrated study of the components of the criminal justice system. In particular, criminology addresses topics concerning law enforcement agencies, the courts and correctional systems and includes issues relating to public policy and political decisions regarding crime and crime control.

The Diploma in Arts (Criminology) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 25 points of first-year criminology subjects and 75 points of second/third-year criminology subjects. Alternatively, students who have completed appropriate background studies at first year may complete 100 points of second/third-year criminology subjects.

First Year Subjects

Second/Third Year Subjects

However, the University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. The Faculty Disability Contact Officer works with students, the University Disability Liaison Unit and teaching staff to assist students with their special requirements, with a particular focus on accommodations for in-class and examination assessment tasks. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability.

The School offers the following courses for graduates:

• Graduate Certificate in Criminology (Forensic Disability)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Criminology)

• Master of Criminology

• Master of Arts (Criminology)

• Master of Criminology (Forensic Psychology)

• Doctor of Philosophy