The Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) is the first degree of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand, combining multidisciplinary academic study with a strong vocational focus.
Criminal Justice studies take a 360-degree look at the whole criminal justice system and its processes, including governance, enforcement, rehabilitation, and improvement. The degree draws together UC’s expertise in criminology, sociology, developmental and abnormal psychology, policing, criminal law and procedure, and human services.
Typical degree structure for Bachelor of Criminal Justice
(1) Students enrolling in the LLB/BCJ double degree will enrol in LAWS 101 instead of CRJU 150 and CRJU 160.
(2) You must pass either LAWS 202 (30 points) or CRJU 202 (15 points).
(3) If LAWS 202 passed, then 45 points from the 200-level electives. If CRJU 202 passed, then 60 points from the 200-level electives.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. Large blocks represent 30-point courses.
For full course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice requires 360 points:
- 255 or 270 points of compulsory courses (depending on courses chosen at second year)
- at least 90 points from a prescribed list of courses
- 15 points from the Bachelor of Criminal Justice or from other degrees.
A minimum of 135 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a School of Law | Te Kura Ture Student Advisor (advancing students).
First year
In the first year all courses are compulsory. Students will take 120 points (with another 15 points of 100-level compulsory courses usually taken in the second year).
Second year
In the second year students must take either 75 or 90 compulsory 200-level points. The difference in points depends on whether students take CRJU 202 Criminal Law and Procedure (15 points) or LAWS 202 Criminal Law (30 points). The remaining 15 or 30 points at 200-level will be selected from the prescribed list of courses.
Third year
At third year there are 45 points of compulsory courses, with a choice of 60 points at 200 and 300-level from the prescribed list. A final 15-point course at 200 or 300-level can also be completed from the list, or from courses in any other degree at UC.
Double degrees
It is possible to combine a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree with other degrees, such as the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, or Bachelor of Science. Normally you can complete a double degree in five years, but some combinations may take longer. A Bachelor of Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Laws combination is a particularly popular option, and can be completed in five-and-a-half years.