What kind of job can you get with a degree in Law and Criminology?

By studying a degree in Law and Criminology, you embark on a career journey that can truly make an impact - big and small.

It’s no exaggeration to say that as a society we’re obsessed with the world of crime and the legal system. From our favourite shows like Suits and Making a Murderer, to podcasts such as Serial and Teacher’s Pet, there’s something about this area that captures our collective interest. 

For some, it’s time to take this passion to the next level with a career in law or criminology. The question then poses; what next? Studying a degree in Law and Criminology at Murdoch will allow you to combine your areas of interest, get real-life experience, learn from the best and break into the industry. Explore your path ahead with your top questions answered below.

What job can I get with a degree in law?

As a graduate from our four-year Bachelor of Laws course, you are well positioned to become a solicitor, or even a barrister in the courtroom. You’ll learn about all subsets of law including family, personal injury, employment, tax, and immigration law to give you a well-rounded springboard into your chosen career. You may also find yourself delving into other societal issues, such as investigating cybercrime or even advising asylum seekers. 

No matter which area of law sparks your interest, you’ll get the opportunity to take on work experience to build real-world legal skills through our clinical program with partners such as SCALES Community Legal Centre.

Murdoch international student, Naziah Sohail, found studying Law at Murdoch gave her the tools she needed to break into the industry to achieve her goal to create a more equal future.  

“At Murdoch, there is an actual Moot Court that students are able to utilise. It was built to prepare us as law students for the working world, and improve the public speaking skills that become essential to our career,” said Naziah. 

What job can I get with a degree in criminology?

So what about criminology? How does it differ from a career in law? Pursuing a Bachelor of Criminology will develop your expertise on both sides of crime – in both preventing and solving it.

Exploring different perspectives of crime, you’ll investigate why people commit offences, how to reduce or prevent crime, and how to help both victims and offenders involved in the criminal justice system.

Part of the Bachelor of Criminology alumni family is Ashlyn Seuren, who says studying criminology at Murdoch has given her a chance to learn more about different views and gain a better understanding of people’s behaviours. 

“I have always been interested in how life courses set people apart and those that share the same could end up going down different paths,” Ashlyn explained. 

This course gives you the option to either take a broad approach to your learning by pursuing a generalised Bachelor of Criminology, or specialise in either Crime Science, Criminal Behaviour, Legal Studies, or White Collar and Corporate Crime.

After developing your expertise in the world of criminology, you’ll be able to enter the industry in jobs such as a Criminologist, Crime Scene Officer, Financial Crime Analyst, Social Worker and much more.

What job can I get with a combined law and criminology degree?

Take your degree to the next level by combining the two with a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology. With this double degree, you’ll investigate crime and justice from all angles.

Choosing from majors in Crime Science, Criminal Behaviour, or White Collar and Corporate Crime, you’ll get the opportunity to deep dive into topics such as environmental crime, insider trading, human rights and international crime; examining real-life cases in the process.

You could become a lawyer who focuses on your chosen speciality, or you could move into state or federal security and law enforcement. This combination degree could also take you into more specified roles such as a Criminologist, Crime Prevention Officer or Financial Forensics Officer.

What job can I get with a major in legal studies?

If you love law and justice but you don’t quite fancy being a lawyer, you can still have a rewarding role in the industry.

The Bachelor of Criminology in Legal Studies focuses on the legal system and how it directly applies to issues and people. There are plenty of opportunities within the courts and corrections, police services, and youth work where you can find hands-on roles like juvenile justice officer, community corrections officer or criminologist.

What job can I get with a combined law and arts degree?

Intrigued by the arts and drawn to law? A double degree in Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts can give you an edge in ways you may have yet to consider.

With so many intriguing majors available in the Bachelor of Arts, you’re able to combine an area of interest or strategic pairing with your Bachelor of Law course, allowing you to combine passion with practice. Explore majors such as Sociology, Global Politics and Policy, Global Challenges, Community Development, History and more.

These specialisations can help you take your career into an area such as media or entertainment law, politics, international law or working as a politician or an ambassador.

What job can I get with a degree in business law?

A versatile course option that bridges the world between law and business is our Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Business.

This course will teach you the fundamental skills needed to help businesses navigate legal issues around finance, taxation, employment, consumer protection, and more.

You could fly solo as a consultant or work with a team of professionals advising the nation’s most prominent corporations. Roles our graduates have gone on to (aside from a lawyer of course) include Financial Services Officer, Legal Compliance Officer, and Mediator.