Postgraduate Course

Master of Criminology

Gain the competitive edge needed to respond to a wide range of tasks in the criminal justice system and the field of criminology with a Master of Criminology at Murdoch. 

What type of student are you?

Murdoch code
M1314
Study mode
Part Time or Full Time
Duration
2
Selection rank
CRICOS code
103447A
First year fee (domestic)
$26,160
First year fee (international)
$34,320
Full course fee (domestic)
$52,320
Full course fee (international)
$68,640
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The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

This course will provide you with the skills to understand the fundamental matters of criminology. Whether you have graduated with a degree in criminology or from another discipline area, you will gain in-depth knowledge and skills to analyse contemporary issues challenging today’s criminal justice system. This course also has the option of completing a thesis, giving you the opportunity to specialise in an area of criminology you're passionate about whilst demonstrating your readiness for PhD studies.

As a criminology professional, you will need multidisciplinary and applied skills to investigate complex and evolving issues. You will gain an understanding of criminal behaviour and investigate complex crimes such as cybercrimes and terrorism. You will understand developing criminal justice issues, including how criminal law and evidence responds to new crimes, particularly in the business environment. Learn how this benefitted Ashlyn by advancing her ability to put theory into practice in real-world settings. 

If you have industry experience, a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, you can use this to obtain an advanced standing into the Master of Criminology, so you can gain your qualification quicker. 

3 reasons to study a Master of Criminology at Murdoch

  1. Murdoch is the only university in Western Australia to offer this unique course.
  2. Study the latest developments in criminology theory with critical thinking skills in the context of domestic and international policing.
  3. Learn from leading academics who have significant real-world experience to ensure that your learning is at the forefront of professional practice. Some of our academics have worked in prisons treating criminal behaviour, as senior personnel in the Australian Federal Police and with the FBI and other foreign authorities.

Develop your skills

  • Gain advanced knowledge of criminological issues, concepts and theories in a range of contexts.
  • Develop applied methods to meet practitioner and real-world demands.
  • Apply specialist discipline knowledge in practical contexts and gain effective communication skills for the workplace.
  • Apply interdisciplinary and intercultural perspective to criminological issues.
  • Build professional development skills through optional units in business, research and work placements.

Your future career

A Master of Criminology could see you working in public and private sectors nationally or internationally.

Other opportunities of employment include law enforcement, corrections, intelligence, international and cognate entities as well as a range of providers in the broad sphere of criminal justice. Some career pathways could include:

  • Criminologist
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Intelligence Officer
  • State or Federal Police Law Enforcement Officers

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Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 48

Unit code Unit name Credit points

Course Core

Specified Electives contain 24 credit points from Contemporary Topics in Criminology, or 12 credit points from Contemporary Topics in Criminology AND 12 credit point from Continuing Professional Development.
48 credit points
Required Units24 credit points
MCR501Criminology Theory and Methods6
MCR502Crime Prevention6
MCR601Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice6
MCR602Applied Problem Solving Methods in Criminology6
Specified Elective Units24 credit points
Option 1 - Contemporary Topics in Criminology24 credit points
MCR604Criminal Law and Evidence6
OR
MCR608Policing – Issues, Methods and Controversies6
OR
MCR503Applied Criminal Intelligence6
OR
MCR607Advanced Transnational Crime6
OR
MCR603Cybercrime and Digital Forensics6
OR
Option 224 credit points
Contemporary Topics in Criminology12 credit points
MCR604Criminal Law and Evidence6
OR
MCR608Policing – Issues, Methods and Controversies6
OR
MCR503Applied Criminal Intelligence6
OR
MCR607Advanced Transnational Crime6
OR
MCR603Cybercrime and Digital Forensics6
Continuing Professional Development12 credit points
MCR605Criminology Placement6
OR
MCR606Supervised Project Paper6
OR
MBS538Organisational Behaviour and Management3
OR
MBS539Accounting for Managers3
OR
MBS684Managing Strategic Risk and Projects6
OR
MBS555Human Resource Management Perspectives3
OR
MBS603Data, Metrics, Reporting and Analytics3
OR
MBL503Dispute Resolution6
OR
MBS542Financial Administration and Budgeting3
OR
MCR600Criminology Research Thesis12
OR
SIK502Wandju Boodja (Welcome to Country)3
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Entry requirements

Admission to the Master of Criminology is available to students who have a recognised Bachelor's degree in any area.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Other Requirements

A student’s advanced standing is assessed at the time of application, taking into account higher level of study and/or professional experience. Up to 12 points of advanced standing is available to students with: • A Bachelor degree in Criminology or a Bachelor degree with a major in Criminology; or • A Bachelor degree in an unrelated discipline and a Graduate Certificate or Diploma in Criminology or cognate discipline; or • An Honours degree or equivalent in an unrelated discipline; or • A Bachelor degree in an unrelated discipline and two years of relevant documented professional experience Up to 24 points of advanced standing is available to students with: • An Honours degree or equivalent in Criminology; or • A Graduate Diploma in Criminology

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

 

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai  and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

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Fees and scholarships

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Scholarships

Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.

Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student as well as what's available throughout your degree.

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How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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How to apply

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Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

  1. Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
  2. Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Recommended documents (if applicable)

  1. Change of name documentation
  2. Marriage certificate
  3. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

  1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
    • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
    • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
  2. Genuine Student documents (if applicable) - Check the GS requirements page for further information
    • GS Form 2
    • Personal Statement (SOP)
    • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
  3. A copy of your Passport

Recommended documents

  1. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
  2. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
  3. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
  4. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
  5. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
How to apply
how-to-apply

All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.