Program Overview

Examine crime from a range of perspectives – including law, sociology and psychology – as you learn how to reduce and prevent crime, and help both victims and offenders in the criminal justice system. Explore how the mind works, why people commit offences, and what can be done to rehabilitate them.

By combining your criminology degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, you’ll build your expertise in the social and developmental areas of psychology, and complete a unit in Family Relations and Social Development. You’ll examine leading-edge research and practical applications to explore how we make sense of ourselves.

Major: Criminal Behaviour

You’ll learn to challenge common perceptions of crime as you investigate why people commit offences, how to reduce or prevent crime, and how to help both victims and offenders involved in the criminal justice system.

You’ll examine punishment as a solution to crime while also considering the role of treatment as a response to criminal behaviour and the importance of reintegration.

Exploring criminal behaviour from a social, psychological, biological and legal perspective is an integral part of this course and you will consider the criminal behaviour of both adults and children. During your studies you’ll have the opportunity to learn the practical skills and ways of thinking that can help you forge a rewarding career after you graduate.

3 reasons to study Criminal Behaviour at Murdoch

• Learn to make a difference in people’s lives as you explore what can cause criminal behaviour and how it might be prevented.
• Challenge common perceptions of crime with insights into why people commit offences, how to reduce or prevent crime, and how to help both victims and offenders involved in the criminal justice system.
• Learn from respected experts in their field who often appear in the media to share their insights on current events and issues.

What you’ll learn
Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

• Criminal behaviour
• Psychology and law
• Children and crime
• Policing and crime prevention
• Culture, diversity and crime
• Technology, crime and justice