Criminal Behaviour

Major overview

Understand the causes of crime with our major in criminal behaviour

Crime doesn’t happen in isolation. Understanding why people commit offences is key to preventing crime, supporting victims and improving justice responses. The Criminal Behaviour major within our Bachelor of Criminology examines the social, psychological and environmental factors that shape offending and influence how societies respond to crime.

You’ll analyse patterns of offending as you investigate how criminal behaviour develops, why it persists and how it can be prevented. Throughout your criminology studies, you’ll challenge common assumptions about crime while evaluating how punishment, rehabilitation and reintegration shape outcomes for offenders and communities.

You’ll examine crime across different contexts, from youth crime and violent offending to the influence of culture, technology and social environments on criminal activity. Along the way, you’ll build analytical skills that help you understand the complex relationship between individuals, society and the criminal justice system.

Our close ties with the Western Australian legal and forensic community bring real-world insight into your studies. You’ll learn from respected criminologists and practitioners whose expertise is regularly sought by the media to explain crime trends, policy debates and major cases.

You’ll also contribute to real homicide and missing persons investigations through our Major Crimes Review initiative, analysing case information and helping identify potential new investigative leads.

You can tailor your Bachelor of Criminology degree by combining the Criminal Behaviour major with others such as Crime Science – the only program of its kind in Australia – or Legal Studies to build a versatile skillset for a range of criminology careers. criminology careers.

Learn how these practical skills have fuelled Abbey’s passion for criminology and encouraged her to think freely in the classroom.

Criminology student presenting data visualisation to a seminar group

3 reasons to study criminal behaviour at Murdoch University

Learn from respected experts in their field whose insights regularly appear in the media as they explain crime trends and major criminal cases.
Contribute to real homicide and missing persons investigations through our Major Crimes Review initiative, analysing case information and helping identify new investigative leads.
Build valuable industry connections through our strong relationships with the Western Australian legal and forensic community.

What you’ll learn

Analyse the social, psychological and environmental factors that influence criminal behaviour.
Examine how criminal behaviour develops, persists and can be prevented.
Evaluate justice system responses including punishment, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Explore issues such as youth crime, culture and diversity, and technology’s impact on criminal behaviour.
Apply criminological theory and research methods to investigate complex crime problems.

I love the freedom to think and have opinions without criticism. The lecturers allow for discussion, understanding that everyone may have a different opinion, and allow for free-flowing conversation.

Ashlyn, Law & Criminology

Murdoch University law and criminology student in classroom

Law and criminology student presenting in front of digital map screen

Your future career in criminology

With a major in criminal behaviour, you’ll graduate with strong analytical, research and policy skills that support crime prevention, rehabilitation and evidence-based justice strategies. You can pursue criminology careers across policing, corrections, youth justice, community organisations, research institutes and government agencies.

Potential roles include:

Criminologist
Community corrections officer
Youth justice officer
Police officer
Research officer
Crime prevention officer

For more details about our Criminal Behaviour major, download our information pack.

Start dates

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
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
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.

Start dates (Transnational)

Starting period	Location	Face to Face	Online	Mixed mode
Trimester 1, 2026	Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd	No	No	Yes
Trimester 2, 2026	Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd	No	No	Yes
Trimester 3, 2026	Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd	No	No	Yes
Trimester 1, 2027	Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd	No	No	Yes
Trimester 2, 2027	Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd	No	No	Yes
Trimester 3, 2027	Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd	No	No	Yes

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

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.

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Criminology

Bachelor of Forensic Science

Study criminology and forensic science at Murdoch University and gain hands-on industry experience in crime science and forensic investigation. Apply now.

Code: B1431

Selection rank: 70

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Psychology

Bachelor of Criminology

Study psychology and criminology at Murdoch University. Gain an accredited psychology degree and explore crime, behaviour and justice systems. Apply now.

Code: B1416

Selection rank: 70

Undergraduate Course

Bachelor of Laws

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Study a law and criminology double degree and gain the skills to work across legal practice, law enforcement and justice-related fields. Apply today.

Code: B1346

Selection rank: 90