Course

Diploma in Social Science (Policing)/Bachelor of Policing

Approved Abbreviation: DipSocSc(Pol)/BPol

Western Sydney University Course Code: 6029.1

AQF Level: 7

This course equips graduates with an introduction to policing as a distinct area of academic study, and provides the foundation for students wishing to join policing or criminal justice organisations. Students study social science and criminology units, and a range of specialist policing units to equip graduates with a broad understanding of the role of police in society. The curriculum recognises the complexities and challenges of contemporary policing and explores the application of policing practice to a changing Australian society.

NB: Students seeking a policing career will be required to satisfy the entrance requirements for these policing or criminal justice organisations. Completion of this degree does not guarantee entry into these selective positions.

The first year of this course is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Social Science (Policing) exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the course.

For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.

Western Sydney University, The College

For course advice during your first year of study, please use the contact below under ‘Course Advice’. For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Policing.

Bachelor of Policing

Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Admission

For more information on applying please see link to The College admission pages below.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thecollege/how_to_apply

Domestic students are required to have:

Completed an English unit in the NSW Higher School Certificate, Or

Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker) Or

Passed The College English test at IELTS 6.0 equivalent Or

Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher.

Met other entry requirements such as:

An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, OR

Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
Students enrolled in 101969 Policing Leaders Internship (by selection only; 20 student max.) are required to receive a clear National Police Check before placement with NSW Police Force or the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM). Students placed with the AIPM will also need to undergo a drug test before commencement.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is an optional work component available in this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the course but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation. For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

The early exit College Diploma consists of 100 credit points which includes three College Preparatory units.

Western Sydney University The College Units

Nirimba and Bankstown Campus

Please note that all campuses may not have intakes each year.

Full-time

Year 1

Preparatory units:

700056

Academic English (WSTC Prep)

700216

Introduction to the Australian Legal System (WSTC Prep)

700175

Tertiary Study Skills in Social Science (Policing) (WSTC Prep)

Students must pass the following University level units

700156

Crime, Deviance and Society (WSTC)

700127

Introduction to Crime and Criminal Justice (WSTC)

700159

People, Place and Social Difference (WSTC)

700238

Policing, Justice and Society (WSTC)

700237

Policing Practices (WSTC)

700051

The Individual in Society (WSTC)

700049

Understanding Society (WSTC)

700139

Working with Communities (WSTC)

Students may exit at this point and graduate with the Diploma in Social Science (Policing) following a passing grade in all of the above units. Students who progress onto Year Two may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the above units.

Students must pass all College Preparatory units before progressing to the Year Two units.
Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level units in Year One before progressing to the Year Two units.

Western Sydney University Units

For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Policing.

Bachelor of Policing

Liverpool and Penrith Campus

Start Year Intake

Year 2

Autumn session

400337

Social Research Methods

101568

Legislation, Courts and Policing

400684

Juvenile Crime and Justice

From 2019 students should take the following unit in place of 400684 Juvenile Crime and Justice:

102699

Youth Justice and Practice

And one elective

Spring session

101555

Ethics in the Social Sciences

101567

Evidence, Investigations and Police Intelligence

102038

Crime Prevention and Community

And one elective

Year 3

Autumn session

102169

Governance in Policing

101552

Applied Social Research

Choose one of

Two electives

One elective and

101969

Policing Leaders Internship

Spring session

102203

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

102251

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Policing

From 2019 students should take the following unit in place of 102251 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Policing:

102713

Creating Criminal Justice Solutions

And two electives

Mid Year Intake

Year 2

Spring session

101555

Ethics in the Social Sciences

101567

Evidence, Investigations and Police Intelligence

102038

Crime Prevention and Community

And one elective

Autumn session

400337

Social Research Methods

101568

Legislation, Courts and Policing

400684

Juvenile Crime and Justice

From 2019 students should take the following unit in place of 400684 Juvenile Crime and Justice:

102699

Youth Justice and Practice

And one elective

Year 3

Spring session

102203

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

102251

Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Policing

From 2019 students should take the following unit in place of 102251 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice and Policing:

102713

Creating Criminal Justice Solutions

And two electives

Autumn session

102169

Governance in Policing

101552

Applied Social Research

Choose one of

Two electives

One elective and

101969

Policing Leaders Internship

Sub-major Elective Spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).

Search for sub-majors

Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)