The Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) is unique in Aotearoa New Zealand, the first degree of its kind that combines multidisciplinary academic study with a strong vocational focus.
Criminal Justice studies take a 360-degree look at the whole criminal justice system and its processes, including governance, enforcement, rehabilitation, and improvement. The degree draws together UC’s expertise in criminology, sociology, developmental and abnormal psychology, policing, criminal law and procedure, and human services.
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Year 1
CRJU 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJU 150 Legal Method in the Criminal Justice Context
CRJU 160 Legal Issues in the New Zealand Criminal Justice System
HSRV 103 Violence in Society
HSRV 104 Youth Realities
PSYC 105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
PSYC 106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental
MAOR 108 Aotearoa: Introduction to New Zealand Treaty Society or MAOR 165 He Tīmatanga: Engaging with Māori
If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, LAWS 101 Legal System: Legal Method and Institutions is taken instead of CRJU 150 and CRJU 160.
Year 2
HSRV 210 Gender, Crime and Social Theory
MAOR 219 Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
SOCI 293 The History of Gangs in New Zealand
PHIL 139 Ethics, Politics and Justice
CRJU 201 Crime and Justice or SOCI 218 Crime and Justice
CRJU 202 Criminal Law and Procedure (15 points) or if enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws and admitted to second year Law, LAW 202 Criminal Law (30 points)
Year 3
CRJU 301 Sentencing Theory and Practice or LAWS 366 Sentencing Theory and Practice
CRJU 302 Prisons and Corrections or SOCI 358 Prisons and Corrections
Optional courses
Students complete at least 90 points from the prescribed list of course options below. At least 45 points must be at 300-level.
One other 15-point course at 200-level or 300-level can also be chosen from the list, or can be chosen from courses from any other UC degree.
These courses are completed during the second and third years of study.
CRJU 210 Special Topic
CRJU 211 Forensic Science for Criminal Justice
CRJU 304 Research Essay in Criminal Justice
CRJU 307 Issues in Policing, Prosecution and Alternatives to Prosecution
CRJU 308 The Principles of Evidence
CRJU 309 International Criminal Law
CRJU 310 Special Topic
CRJU 311 Transnational Criminal Law
CRJU 312 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Law and Procedure
HIST 295 Crime, Criminology and Policing in Modern Europe since 1750
HIST 395 Crime, Criminology and Policing in Modern Europe since 1750
HSRV 201 Communication in the Human Services
HSRV 203 Policy Debates in the Social Services, HSRV 212 Family Violence
HSRV 311 Qualitative Research Methods
LAWS 378 Genetics, Neuroscience and the Criminal Law
LING 225 Forensic Linguistics
PHIL 240 Bioethics: Life, Death, and Medicine
PHIL 324 Bioethics: Life, Death, and Medicine
PSYC 206 Research Design and Statistics
PSYC 208 Cognition
PSYC 211 Personality
PSYC 330 Forensic Psychology
PSYC 335 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 336 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Pathways include:
Graduates of UC's Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree will have an edge over others in the crime and justice job markets in an area of national need and growing international specialisation.
The BCJ will prepare you for a career in all aspects of criminal justice, in particular roles within the New Zealand Police | Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa, Ministry of Justice | Tāhū o te Ture, and Department of Corrections | Ara Poutama Aotearoa. The degree is also relevant to work in many other government departments including prisons, probation and parole; criminal justice policy; forensics; public and private investigation and security; and social work.
Insurance/year: 700 NZD/per year
