Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Students in the combined Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree program study a combination of Criminology and Law courses over a period of five years (full-time). In the first three years students complete all the courses required for the Bachelor of Criminology degree, which includes eight core Law courses. In the final two years students study all remaining core and directed Law courses to complete the requirements of the accredited Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree, which meets the academic requirements to practise law in NSW.

After completing the Bachelor of Criminology, students are automatically enrolled into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice Program in the fourth and fifth years of study. Students in the accredited Diploma of Legal Practice complete legal practice modules and practical legal training by working on real life cases at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre, and in external placements with law firms, legal professionals and in government departments and agencies.

Students who complete the combined Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice program are eligible to seek admission to legal practice without any additional study or practical legal training or workplace experience. Students can opt not to complete the Diploma of Legal Practice, but will need to undertake their professional legal training through another approved provider if they want to be admitted to legal practice.

Our combined Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) graduates can analyse and explain crime and criminality from multiple disciplinary perspectives, and use high level problem solving and communication skills to act as advocates in the criminal justice system. Having completed placements and work-integrated learning in diverse contexts, they are work ready and equipped to advocate for a range of stakeholders, and to address legal and social issues that shape the administration of justice in criminal law and related institutions.

On successful completion of the program students will have:

• A broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning.
• Cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence.
• Cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas.
• Cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding.
• Technical skills to design and use research in a project.
• Communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills with initiative and judgement in professional practice and/or scholarship.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills to plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence.
• Cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge.
• Cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas.
• Cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence.
• Communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills with initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts.
• Demonstrated the application of knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters.
• Coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines and knowledge of research principles and methods.
• Professionalism: You will have developed a sound and critical understanding of the function and role of the criminal justice system.
• Skills to recognise the importance of acting as a professional advocate for the rule of law.
• Professional skills to apply the maintenance and reform of the legal system.
• Skills to uphold the highest ethical standards in discharging responsibilities to clients, other professionals, the courts and the public.
• Skills to understand, evaluate and critically reflect upon the interaction of law and society.
• Capacity to recognise Law as a dynamic discipline requiring professional lifelong learning and skill development.
• Professionalism: Worked independently and/or collaboratively, in a professional and ethical manner, in exploring ways to improve access to justice for those that come into contact with the criminal justice system.
• Professionalism: You will have engaged and/or collaborated with students from allied disciplines to explore the multidisciplinary nature of the criminal justice system.
• Scholarship: You will possess a scholarly and critical appreciation of the importance of the clarity of communication in the field of criminal justice; including written and oral submissions.
• The capacity to provide professional advice, based on specialised knowledge of law and its application in diverse contexts, to employers, government and individual clients.
• The technical and cognitive skills required to plan and conduct advanced legal research tasks working independently and in collaboration with others
• Critical thinking skills to analyse the formation , content and operation of the law.
• Lateral thinking skills to solve legal problems through the range of available dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills.