Major overview
If you’re looking for an exciting career and the chance to make a difference, a major in Legal Studies within the field of criminology could really take you places. You’ll examine the Australian legal system and the way it shapes our society through a range of issues such as human trafficking, white collar crime, and legal responses to systemic disadvantage.
Law transcends all industries. Find out how the law interacts with other areas, taking units in criminology as you study the foundations of business law and other areas of the law.
You’ll learn about dispute resolution and have the opportunity to develop your own dispute resolution skills through role play and interactive activities. You will learn a variety of dispute resolution processes including negotiation, conciliation, mediation and arbitration.
You will investigate the interactions between law, crime, frameworks in societies and the various social grouping within society.
3 reasons to study Legal Studies at Murdoch
- Challenge the way you think about the world as you explore the legal system and how it shapes society.
- Learn to produce high quality and persuasive communications (for example research reports, court reports and policy reports) so you are job ready when you graduate.
- 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:
- Structure, foundation and history of the Australian legal system
- Criminological research methods
- Alternative dispute resolution
- International and transnational crimes
- Law, justice and social policy
Your future career
Studying a Bachelor of Criminology in Legal Studies will set you up for a career in the criminal justice system. Careers could include:
- Community Correction Officer
- Juvenile Justice Officer
- Criminologist
- Paralegal Officer
- Court Administrator
You’ll graduate with the skills you need to pursue roles within the court and corrections, police services, youth work, community groups and government departments
For further admission information about this course, please visit Murdoch Admission Information - Criminology.
Start dates
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | Yes | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
| Starting period | Location | Face to Face | Online |
Mixed mode
In this attendance mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered both face-to-face and online, with scheduled or flexible learning times. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2026 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 1, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
| Semester 2, 2027 | Murdoch | Yes | No | No |
View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.
Major Structure
Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.
To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.
| Unit code | Unit name | Credit points |
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How to Apply
Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.