Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) degree

Our students receive a solid grounding from UC experts in New Zealand’s criminal justice system and its processes, including governance, enforcement, rehabilitation, and improvement.

In the second and third year of the degree, you will be choosing from a range of elective courses to focus your studies on topics you are passionate about, including:

• Criminology
• Development and behavioural psychology
• Criminal law and procedure
• Human services
• Policing.

Many Criminal Justice students also choose to complete a second degree alongside their BCJ. Double degrees give you the opportunity to study other fields of interest and combine your expertise with legal skills. The minimum timeframe for completion of a double degree is five years of full-time study.

Common double degree choices with the BCJ are:

• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
• Bachelor of Science

If you are undertaking a double degree you should talk to the Faculty of Law Student Advisor to plan your courses.

UC’s Certificate in Criminal Justice is a great choice for those who want to complete a shorter degree and get a taste for university study.

The CertCJ is a six-month full-time programme or can also be studied part-time for up to four years. You may also study the CertCJ on campus or fully online.

You may later choose to transfer your completed courses to the full Bachelor of Criminal Justice.

Graduates with this degree have an edge in the crime and justice job markets, which are areas of growing national need and international specialisation.

A degree in Criminal Justice can lead to a wide range of careers, including law enforcement, corrections, offender rehabilitation, working with young offenders, criminal law, security, and border control.