Duration: 
0.5 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Delivery mode: 
Hybrid
Application due dates:
Applications are not being taken at this time.

Overview

Take your legal career the next step with the Graduate Certificate in Crime Prevention at Victoria University.

Are you a professional working in, or wishing to work in, the field of crime prevention? If so, this course is for you.

You will gain a deep understanding of key prevention theories and contemporary approaches, as well as the ability to critically evaluate prevention policy and practice through a lens of social justice and inclusion. This will form the groundwork for the development of job-ready skills through exciting evidence-based projects in both social and environmental prevention.

Topics covered in the course include:

  • primary prevention of crime and harm
  • typologies of prevention
  • crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)
  • community safety
  • the politics of prevention
  • social psychology and behavioural economics
  • the role of police in prevention
  • community development and inclusion
  • urban planning and design
  • prevention policymaking and strategy
  • designing and evaluating prevention.

Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we have rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.

This course is delivered in eight-week mode, which means you study two units (subjects) at a time over eight weeks (or one unit at a time over eight weeks for part-time study), rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.

The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.

VU's Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.

Our Queen Street law hub on our City Campus is in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.

Our dedicated law building features:

  • specialised law library
  • legal research centres including the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
  • mooting court
  • computer labs, student lounges, study spaces and a prayer room.

You’ll gain real insight into legal practice and start building networks for your future career.

Careers in crime prevention

There is high demand for people with skills in crime prevention. Professions and organisations that require such skills include:

  • state government, for example in the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS)
  • local councils, for example as community safety officers
  • Victoria Police, for example as crime prevention officers
  • urban planning and design.

Course structure

To attain the Graduate Certificate in Crime Prevention students will be required to complete 48 credit points of Core studies.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Critically review the key theoretical underpinnings in crime prevention;  
  2. Examine empirical evidence to analyse their implications for effective strategies and policy;  
  3. Evaluate contemporary crime prevention strategic approaches and policy;  
  4. Evaluate and utilise Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED);  
  5. Design evidence based crime prevention strategies.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent)
OR
Applicants with a minimum five years approved work experience in a crime prevention related field.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

How to apply

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Law & justice courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

Enquire now

Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.

Information marked with an asterisk "*" is required.

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.