The BCJ is a multidisciplinary degree that includes study across subject areas, such as Criminal Justice, History, Human Services, Law, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
All BCJ students complete the following courses throughout the three years of the degree:
Year 1
- CRJU 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJU 150 Legal Method in the Criminal Justice Context
- CRJU 160 Legal Issues in the New Zealand Criminal Justice System
- HSRV 103 Violence in Society
- HSRV 104 Youth Realities
- PSYC 105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
- PSYC 106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental
- MAOR 108 Aotearoa: Introduction to New Zealand Treaty Society or MAOR 165 He Tīmatanga: Engaging with Māori
If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, LAWS 101 Legal System: Legal Method and Institutions is taken instead of CRJU 150 and CRJU 160.
Year 2
- HSRV 210 Gender, Crime and Social Theory
- MAOR 219 Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
- SOCI 293 The History of Gangs in New Zealand
- PHIL 139 Ethics, Politics and Justice
- CRJU 201 Crime and Justice or SOCI 218 Crime and Justice
- CRJU 202 Criminal Law and Procedure (15 points) or if enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws and admitted to second year Law, LAW 202 Criminal Law (30 points)
Year 3
- CRJU 301 Sentencing Theory and Practice or LAWS 366 Sentencing Theory and Practice
- CRJU 302 Prisons and Corrections or SOCI 358 Prisons and Corrections
Optional courses
Students complete at least 90 points from the prescribed list of course options. At least 45 points must be at 300-level.
One other 15-point course at 200-level or 300-level can also be chosen from the list, or can be chosen from courses from any other UC degree.
These courses are completed during the second and third years of study.