Degrees of difference? A preliminary study of criminology degrees at Australian universities

Abstract

While the discipline of 'criminology' has existed within Australian universities for more than half a century, the introduction of discrete 'criminology' and justice programmes is much more recent. Little is known, however, about the current state of play when it comes to what a degree in 'criminology' actually entails. With growing student enrolments in such programmes, reflecting on the status of these programmes is important in the context of student and employer requirements and expectations. Drawing on the findings of a preliminary study, this paper will explore what it means to study for an undergraduate degree in 'criminology' in Australia. Specifically, we will focus on the content, availability and range of 'criminology' and justice degrees available in Australia, in order to gain a better understanding of the convergences and divergences across degree programmes, and make some recommendations for future research.

Employer Expectations of Research Skills Provided in Criminology Undergraduate Education

“…For US based undergraduate degrees to be officially certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, research methods and analytic skills need to be addressed substantively in the curriculum (Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, 2016). There are no equivalent certification standards in Australia, although scholars have called for similar guidelines to be implemented to ensure criminology graduates are provided with sufficient research methods skills (Bartels et al, 2015). The criminology landscape is similar in Australia to countries like the US and UK but it also has its own unique historical landscape.…”

“…Australian research of the teaching of research methods has shown that these types of courses are widely taught within undergraduate criminology degrees (Bartels et al, 2015) and that the vast majority (80%) of graduates self-report that their degree helped develop their research skills (Wimshurst & Allard, 2007). Nevertheless, while research methods are widely taught as core component of Australian criminology degrees, courses specifically educating students about data analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) are not taught as widely across all Australian degrees (Bartels et al, 2015). Of course, sometimes data analysis is embedded in more generic research methods courses, but for students to be proficient and highly skilled these types of skills more extensive training is desirable.…”

“…Also not explicitly taught in criminology degrees, is having an ethical orientation towards professional conduct and research. It is often embedded in many social sciences courses, but explicit consideration of ethics, particularly as it relates to research is not evident at the course level in criminology degrees in Australia (Bartels et al, 2015).…”

“…In recent decades, the number of universities offering courses in the study of criminology and/or criminal justice has grown rapidly (Bartels, McGovern & Richards, 2015;Hunter, 2011). In Australia, there are currently 42 individual criminology and/or criminal justice degrees currently on offer across Australian universities (Bartels et al, 2015). These degrees are taught within a range of schools, including those focusing on law, criminology, criminal justice, social sciences, policing, psychology, and humanities (Bartels et al, 2015).…”

“…In Australia, there are currently 42 individual criminology and/or criminal justice degrees currently on offer across Australian universities (Bartels et al, 2015). These degrees are taught within a range of schools, including those focusing on law, criminology, criminal justice, social sciences, policing, psychology, and humanities (Bartels et al, 2015). Along with this growth, it has been recognised that degrees in criminology and/or criminal justice need to be developed in a way that produce graduates that are employable across the government, private and academic sectors (Bates & Hayes, 2017).…”