Bachelor
Criminology is the study of crime and its effects on victims and society, and the workings of the criminal justice system including the police, courts and prisons. Criminology is a great choice if you want a career in an organisation associated with the criminal justice system.
*This major focuses on New Zealand Sign Language and developing the skills to become a Sign Language interpreter. It doesn't include the option to include courses from different subjects.
This major will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to the field of criminology, drawing on the theory and practice in both national and international contexts. You explore crime and its control in New Zealand and other jurisdictions, and become familiar with contemporary debates within criminology. Develop an understanding of criminal justice institutions and crime in New Zealand, critically examine criminal justice policies and practices, and explore how criminological concepts can be used in real-life settings.
We aim to educate students to assess the research literature within the discipline and formulate critiques of current approaches to crime and its regulation. You'll also be encouraged to think beyond critique and engage in problem solving.
Apart from the courses below you also need to complete courses from your second major, your chosen minor(s) or electives.
All Bachelor of Arts students need to complete core courses that help you develop transferable skills and support your work in all other courses in the degree.
Complete one course from each of the following clusters. Each cluster aligns with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Partnerships and Reduced Inequalities
Choose one of:
Peace and Justice, Climate Action and Economic World
Choose one of:
Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing
Choose one of:
Quality Education, Gender Equality and Reduced Poverty
Choose one of:
Workplace experience is an important part of your degree, and the Work Integrated Learning course is the final part of your degree. This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organisation of your choice. It's a great way to get industry experience while still being able to get feedback from AUT lecturers, and for many of our students this workplace experience also leads to a job offer.
Recent placements included:
You could also take the Foundations in Research course if you're considering continuing into postgraduate study.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it's so beneficial when you start your career.
Criminology and criminal justice courses
If you're majoring in criminology and criminal justice, this is the main subject area you specialise in. It makes up one third of your degree and consists of eight criminology-related courses you study throughout your degree.
Year 1 courses
Complete the following courses:
Complete the following courses:
Complete three of:
Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.