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Best criminology online courses

If you want to fight crime and keep Australian streets safe, consider pursuing a career in criminology through an online institution.

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Shirley Liu
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Criminologists develop good analytical skills and like solving mysteries as much as they like working with people (especially with those who break the law). They are good at arriving at solid solutions not only because of their analytical skills, but also because of their persistence in staying with a problem until they have it figured out. If sociology inspires you and psychology intrigues you, then you may have landed on the right page. These two areas of study are a large part of modern criminology.

Why should I study criminology?

Your studies in criminology will have you working with issues involving crime and all the elements that go with it, and your studies could lead to you through myriad paths that take you far beyond traditional criminology duties, particularly if you have a penchant for technology and keep up with cyber trends. In any avenue of study you take in criminology, you may rely on the skills you developed and honed in your coursework, such as deductive reasoning, data analysis, ethics and policymaking.

See our latest September 2021 deals for criminology online courses

Criminology Made Easy: A simple Introduction

Criminology Made Easy: A simple Introduction from Udemy

Learn and apply the fundamentals and science of criminology.

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What courses are available for criminology?

The course structure and specific names of courses in criminology varies slightly from university to university, but each school includes an overarching focus on sociology, psychology and forensics, and all of them require you to take statistics. You’ll also have the opportunity to study law and the court system, prevention and rehabilitation strategies, and the collection and use of statistical data. Your studies may consist of 72 course hours in criminology, or 24 courses hours, including specialised electives that complement your standard coursework. The criminology electives that appeal to you most may determine your calling and future career path. The field of criminology is diverse and offers many possibilities for individualised study based on your interests.

Undergraduate courses

Your undergraduate work sets the foundation for your career path and the future courses of study that will augment it. In addition to taking basic and generalised courses such as communications, you will find yourself taking many of the following courses.

  • Psychology and forensic psychology
  • Statistics
  • Sociology
  • Criminology theory and practice
  • Systems and practices in police work and in corrections

Electives may include choices from criminal justice, police and court systems, rehabilitation, juvenile sociology and justice, and child abuse and child protection.

Post-graduate courses

One way to ensure your marketability and stand out in the field of criminology once you have been awarded your Bachelor’s degree is to engage in post-graduate studies. For your continued studies in criminology, you may find that there is a heavier emphasis on courses that include sociology and the psychology of crime, ethics, mental disorders and forensic mental health, rehabilitation, recidivism, statistics, and research, including policy analysis and recommendations. You can also find courses in community development, crime prevention, the social sciences, forensic science or psychology and law and behaviour.

Short courses and professional development

Practising and future criminologists also avail themselves of continued professional development throughout their careers. There are plenty of courses for continuing your studies. You’ll be able to explore a heavier emphasis of theories in the sociology and psychology of crime, ethics, mental health and mental disorders, and you’ll also continue learning about rehabilitation, recidivism, as well as research including policy analysis and statistics.

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What are the tuition fees and other expenses to study criminology?

One year of study based on one equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) may cost $23,000 AUD for undergraduate or postgraduate courses. Additional fees may include services and amenities, which may be as much as $95 AUD semester for full time students. Specific coursework in clinical psychology may require additional fees. You also may need to pay additional fees for procuring additional academic transcripts or your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS), your student identification card replacements and graduation ceremony fees.

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What are the best institutes in Australia to study criminology?

You will find plenty of choices when looking for an online university for your undergraduate degree in criminology.

Undergraduate degrees

  • Charles Sturt University
  • Deakin University
  • Griffith University
  • Murdoch University
  • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
  • Swinburne Online

Post-graduate degrees

For your post-graduate studies, you may review the course offerings at these online Australian universities.

  • Charles Sturt University
  • Deakin University
  • Griffith University
  • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
  • Swinburne Online
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What are the career opportunities for criminology?

Criminology is a dynamic field that offers a wide range of employment opportunities, whether you choose to work with a police department or private employer. Opportunities for a thriving career in criminology abound in both of these areas; criminology is a growing field that expects to see great expansion.

Average salary

With an average salary of $87,000 AUD depending on the area of Australia in which you live, you may find that you can earn a good living in your chosen field.

Source: Payscale.com

You may find yourself working with juvenile or adult offenders not only in the youth detention or prison correction systems, but also in probation and parole situations. There are further career opportunities for working with the rehabilitation of criminals and the reduction of recidivism among offenders in youth and community groups. Criminologists may also find themselves employed in specific areas of forensic analysis, gathering and analysing data from crime scenes, or they could discover that their studies will lead to becoming a law enforcement officer, a member of a private security attachment, a policy analyst or developer, a project manager, or a social research designer. Some of the newest trends in criminology include roles that include IT security and surveillance duties. If the field of criminology feels like the right career choice for you, compare the various online institutions that offer criminology courses as a part of their curriculum. This is an exciting field, with a never ending need for dedicated individuals who are willing to help enforce Australian laws.
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