Alum FAQ: what can I do with a Bachelor of Criminology?

Fancy yourself a real-life Sherlock Holmes?  

A Bachelor of Criminology can open doors to exciting career opportunities in crime and justice roles.  

We sit down with a Deakin alum to answer your burning question: what can I do with a Bachelor of Criminology? 

Here, we cover everything from what the course entails to what jobs you can get with a Bachelor of Criminology (think detective, forensic scientist and intelligence analyst.) 

Meet Naomi Wales, Bachelor of Criminology alum   

Naomi graduated from Deakin University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Criminology and a Bachelor of Psychological Science.  

Throughout her degree, she often pondered:  what can I do with a Bachelor of Criminology? 

Naomi is currently the Director of Business Performance and Reporting at the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). In her role within the Governance and Assurance team, Naomi supports service delivery, project and strategic reporting, and performance compliance across DJCS. 

What is a Bachelor of Criminology? 

Before we unpack what you can do with a Bachelor of Criminology, let’s cover the basics.

A Bachelor of Criminology focuses on the study of crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system.  

This degree draws on areas of sociology, psychology, law, and forensic science to help us understand why crimes occur, its consequences and various approaches to preventing and controlling criminal behaviour. 

Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology course is the most established in Australia and has been developed and designed in conjunction with professional bodies including VicPol, Department of Justice and the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers.  

You’ll learn by doing, facing real-world challenges to ensure your study experience closely reflects the needs of the industry.  

Can I study a Bachelor of Criminology online at Deakin?

Absolutely, you can study a Bachelor of Criminology online!  

If you’re not vibing with full-time study (it’s definitely not for everyone), you can choose to study a Bachelor of Criminology: 

• part-time 
• on campus or  
• 100% online 

What can I do with a Bachelor of Criminology? 

So, what can you do with a Bachelor of Criminology?

Fortunately, criminology is an expanding field that offers increasing opportunities to create positive change in communities affected by crime. 

Naomi tells us that throughout her course, she had the opportunity specialise in certain fields — such as forensics — or to take a broader approach by entering the workforce to discover what areas she was passionate about. 

‘The Bachelor of Criminology subjects gave me the skills and knowledge to secure a good job post-graduation without having to choose a niche in the criminology field.’ Naomi says.  

‘If you know from the outset a specific area you want to follow, that’s great! If not, that’s okay as well.’  

Naomi’s personal experience demonstrates that this degree opens many doors in private, public and not for profit sectors. 

What jobs can you get with a Bachelor of Criminology?  

Do you see yourself working in a crime lab, university or prison?  

Criminology students can find themselves working in several interesting professional environments.  

Consider utilising your working knowledge of criminal minds to:  

• conduct investigations of criminal activity as a private investigator 

• scour crime scenes for evidence as a forensic scientist or  

• interact directly with criminals as a probation officer helping them with rehabilitation and reentering society.  

Deakin students have gone on to roles such as:   

• crime researchers and analysts 

• criminologists 

• police officers (requires further training) 

• forensic psychologists (requires further study) 

• policy advisors. 

What you can do with a Bachelor of Criminology: useful links to Bachelor of Criminology jobs  

Interested in discovering what you can do with a Bachelor of Criminology? 

We’ve curated some useful links below: 

• Australian Border Force – Want to play a critical role in protecting Australia’s border? Applications for Border Force Officer Recruit positions open twice a year. For eligibility requirements and how to apply visit the Border Force Officer Recruit page. 

• Office of National intelligence (ONI for short) – Consider taking your career to the next level by working at the centre of Australia’s national security and intelligence communities. ONI recruit staff with a wide range of backgrounds. Learn about entry pathways here. 

• Defence Intelligence Group – Another pathway to a career in intelligence is with the Defence Intelligence Group which delivers intelligence capabilities to support ADF operations. 

• AFP – Interested in protecting Australians and Australian interests? Join the AFP graduate program and experience roles in cybercrime, fraud, forensics or intelligence. 

Is a Bachelor of Criminology worth it?  

‘Studying a Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin was great!’  Naomi says.  

‘Each unit offered interesting concepts and theories, challenging me to reflect on the legal, social, cultural, and political contexts of criminal activity.’  

Naomi was also attracted to the non-linear nature of the Bachelor of Criminology degree which meant that her teachers and classmates came from many different walks of life.  

‘All my lecturers were highly experienced, either coming from or still working in some capacity within their specialised fields.’ she notes. ‘This made their advice highly valuable and easy to relate to when I was contemplating what to do with my Bachelor of Criminology.’ 

Although most undergraduate programs take 3-4 years to complete, a Bachelor of Criminology from Deakin can enhance your chances of advancement in your chosen field and open unexpected pathways to roles in social services, such as assisting victims of crime. 

And while not all jobs require a degree, having a Bachelor of Criminology from Deakin can give you a competitive edge when interviewing for jobs.  

Some agencies will even require a degree as a minimum entry requirement, so it helps to be prepared.  

Rapid-Fire Questions with Naomi

We asked Naomi some rapid-fire questions about all things Bachelor of Criminology. 

What was your job-seeking experience like and what advice would you give to newbies? 

It took me approximately 8 months to secure something that I would categorise as my first ‘career’ job and there were a lot of rejections which were difficult to manage.  

However, I was determined and reached out to my small network of people for advice.  

Once I had my foot in the door at DJCS, I networked and worked hard to navigate my way into different areas of the department to better understand how it operated and key services we provide to the Victorian community.  

From there, I was able to find an area where I felt I was making a difference, contributing to the objectives of the department and utilising key skills I had obtained from my Deakin Bachelor of Criminology degree.  

Any tips for people wondering what jobs you can get with a Bachelor of Criminology? 

When searching for your ‘dream role’ after graduation, my encouragement would be to keep persisting and quickly become familiar with the interview process.  

It’s important to know that each interview is a learning experience and a way to build connections in that industry.   

What was your favourite subject?

Criminology Research was my favourite subject because I loved the challenge of critically thinking and evaluating issues to come up with solutions.  

I also really enjoyed the subjects that let us apply theories to real-life work environments. These helped me build teamwork and communication skills, which are so important for a successful career.

What were the key skills you gained from your Deakin Bachelor of Criminology? 

I gained critical skills in reflecting on the causes and politics of crime.  

A key aspect of this method of thinking is the ability to consider all sides of an argument, idea, or problem. This foundation has significantly enhanced my skills in strategic and change management as a leader in the public service. 

Criminology studies also enhanced my leadership skills, enabling me to confidently convey my point of view in both written and verbal settings.  

I am now able to present complex or detailed information in simple ways which was nurtured throughout the Bachelor of Criminology degree at Deakin.  

Additionally, I learned to communicate effectively and persuasively, presenting arguments when interpreting policy, applying it to business process solutions, and advising my team or senior executives in the department. 

So, if you’re wondering what you can do with a Bachelor of Criminology, know that the possibilities are broad and impactful, ranging from roles in policy development to leadership positions in public service.

A final word from Naomi on what you can do with a Bachelor of Criminology 

‘If you’re exploring what you can do with a Bachelor of Criminology, it’s important to have an understanding of the types of jobs that fall within the broad definition of criminal justice in Australia.’ Naomi says.  

‘Be open to exploring different pathways, building relationships and collecting valuable experiences to grow your skills.’  

‘Remember, obtaining a degree is no guarantee of career success. Someone else’s view of career success may be very different from your own so it’s important to run your own race.’   

For information on study options and to find an undergraduate degree that suits you, visit Deakin’s Find a course page.