Credit Points and EFTSL Value
24 units of study (subjects) or 300 credit points must be successfully undertaken to complete the degree, 150 credit points at each year.

Students will complete 18 core subjects and 6 elective units of study selected from the Trimester Course Structure. Students are guided to when subjects should be attempted as outlined in the Recommended Study Structure document. AIPS also suggests that students complete their Practicum and Research subjects in their final trimester of study.

*Commencing students must complete the specified 5 compulsory subjects in their first trimester including the Skills Enhancement Program. This unit of study has no EFTSL value and is offered to students at no cost but is a hurdle unit.

View Subject Pre-requisites/Co-requisites outline

Each trimester long subject (or unit of study) is worth 12.5 credit points. Research, however is worth 25 credit points as it is a double weighted subject (equivalent to studying 2 subjects).

Each unit of study has an EFTSL (Equivalent Full-time Study Load) of 0.125, except Research which has an EFTSL of 0.250.

Study Load
A full-time study load comprises 4 subjects per trimester. Each subject entails three contact (in class) hours per week, so a full-time load is generally 12 contact hours per week.

When completing Research the full-time study load of that trimester can only be 3 subjects as Research is double weighted and is the EFTSL of 2 subjects.

UNITS OF STUDY SUMMARIES

Abnormal Psychology ( Core Subject)
This subject introduces the student to abnormal behaviour including the practical, ethical, legal and administrative issues that arise within the mental health area. Consideration will be given to the major theories of maladaptive behaviour and its impact within society.

Community Safety (Core Subject)
This subject introduces students to contemporary trends towards community safety and multi-agency approaches to public safety and the development and implementation of various community safety strategies including the highly successful City of Melbourne "Safe City" strategy.

Corporate Crime (Elective)
Corporate or "white-collar" crime as it is known introduces the student to crimes that constitute this problem and its varying impacts. The various investigatory and regulatory bodies that are involved within this broad field will be examined together with the individual civil remedies that may be available for victims of such crimes. A number of guest presenters from various authorities provide a practical basis for this subject.

Corrections (Elective)
This subject introduces the student to the issues involved in punishment, rehabilitation and control in corrections. The subject also explores the alternatives to contemporary practices and procedures by considering overseas and Australian experiences including penalties known as "intermediate" or alternative sanctions and the general application of such an approach.

Counselling Skills (Elective)
This subject provides the student with basic training in the practical skills, methods and competencies utilised in counselling and an awareness of key counselling issues. Students engage in critical analyses of various approaches and therapies and develop an awareness of the possibilities for psychotherapy integration and eclectic approaches. This subject utilises a practical learning approach including workshop and counselling sessions.


Crime Prevention (Core subject)
This subject introduces students to the study of crime prevention strategies and the analysis of techniques and theories used in crime prevention programs.
The subject will include a critical analysis of contemporary approaches to and recent initiatives in crime prevention in Victoria. It will also examine the processes of planning, implementing and evaluating crime prevention programs.

Criminal Law (Core Subject)
This subject introduces the student to basic concepts of criminal law by considering its development and aims. The course addresses the elements of a criminal offence and attention is given to the basis of strict and absolute liability. The course also reviews the more common serious offences such as homicide with a number of practical workshops.

Theoretical Criminology (Core Subject)
This subject introduces the student to the five major theoretical perspectives within criminology and how to identify the impact of these theories within the criminal justice system. In particular attention will be given to the techniques used to measure, classify, define and respond to crime and criminology.

Applied Criminology (Core Subject)
This subject leads from Criminology I and overviews the major institutions of criminal justice which have the responsibility of responding to, and preventing, offensive and/or deviant behaviour. The subject links contemporary practices within the criminal justice system to their theoretical origins. A number of reviews will originate from foundation areas including the application of criminological theory to contemporary issues such as domestic violence and community safety. Practical workshops are conducted as an integral part of this subject.

Cultural Diversity (Core Subject)
This subject introduces students to the cultural aspects of contemporary Australia and also traces the influences of culture on government, including immigration. Students will study the impact of culture on Australian society and how this might affect those working within the criminal justice field.

Disaster Recovery (Elective Subject)
This subject examines practices involved in the planning and organising for effective disaster management and business plan resumption. The student will consider budgeting, staffing, equipment, technology, work processes and other general constraints involving persons operating within the field. Students will be required to develop a disaster recovery strategy for a medium to major business entity.

Drugs and Crime (Core Subject)
This subject demonstrates the complex individual and social issues involving drugs and criminal behaviour. Students critically examine how drug use/abuse can be viewed as a social, political, legal, health, economic and/or welfare problem. Students also investigate the range of illicit drugs commonly available underground and will critically review contemporary practices such as harm minimisation.

Emergency Management (Core Subject)
This subject addresses the concepts of planning and organising for effective emergency management. Students will examine contemporary practices both locally and abroad focusing on "cutting edge" practices including, where appropriate, Australian and international standards. This subject requires practical application for a selected workplace including the development of policy and procedures.

Ethics (Core Subject)
The moral bases for behaviour both individually and within an organisation, and also the law is considered and applied to ethical precepts within professional behaviour for persons working within criminal justice, public safety and security. A range of case studies are conducted including analysis of organisational approaches to ethical standards generally.

EVC3217 Evidence
This unit introduces the student to the rules of evidence as applied within the criminal jurisdiction. On successful completion of the subject the student should be able to trace, review and analyse the historical basis and development of contemporary rules of evidence, understand the nature, categories and rules of evidence applicable to both state and federal criminal law, distinguish between and elaborate upon specific evidential areas including privilege, hearsay, opinion and expert evidence, critically examine the rules regarding corroboration with a specific focus on sex offences, competence and compellability and identification evidence and examine critically rules regarding witnesses, including the calling of witnesses in criminal trials, video evidence of minors, and indemnification.

Forensic Psychology (Elective)
This subject introduces students to the primary tenets and central topics within the specialist field of forensic psychology. The student will be able to define the term ‘forensic psychology’, and understand the scope of its reach, identify and discuss the large number of areas where forensic psychologists assist the legal system, detail some of the major conflicts between the disciplines of psychology and the law, outline and critique some of the major contemporary theories of offending, be familiar with contemporary best practice principles for working with forensic clients, and understand the educational steps required in order to become a ‘forensic psychologist’ in Victoria.

Introduction to Psychology (Core Subject)
This subject introduces the student to the science of behaviour and mental processes. Students will address psychological activities that include thinking, perceiving and feeling and the interpretation of inferences as a method for determining mental processes. A number of practical tutorials are conducted in support of theoretical foundations.

Introduction to Public Safety (Core Subject)
This subject introduces the student to various concepts and responsive strategies commonly known as public safety. Methods utilised by government, business, communities and individuals to address public safety issues are considered including the various partnerships that exist within contemporary public safety strategies. Students will be required to develop a specific public safety strategy for a specified enterprise.

Introduction to Security (Core Subject)
This subject introduces students to the origins and conventions of the security industry as it exists within Australia. The subject will examine the scope of security operations within the public and private sectors whilst outlining key components and their interactions with other enterprises. A number of legal issues and their relevance to security will also be addressed.

Investigations (Elective)
The student will be introduced to the dynamics of investigation including investigatory practices within legal parameters for both public and private bodies. Theories of investigation and the balancing of public interest, individual rights and privacy will be considered. Specific focus will be on the application and influences of technology including surveillance devices and the various statutory requirements that impact upon the investigatory process.

Juvenile Justice (Elective)
This subject provides students with a background to, and working knowledge of, the philosophies, practices and agencies of the Victorian Juvenile Justice System.

Legal Process (Core Subject)
This subject introduces students to the institutions, structures, processes and the evolution of Australia's legal system. To accomplish this, students will consider the historical development of Australia's legal and political system. Within this, the doctrine of the separation of powers will be critically analysed and a number of recent cases examined.

Police and Enforcement Studies (Elective)
This subject will address historical and contemporary issues relative to policing and law enforcement by other statutory bodies. The concept of culture will be analysed and in the context of law enforcement agencies, including the potential impact of culture upon issues such as corruption, officer discretion, and various enforcement methods. Issues regarding use of force, police shootings, and public/private enforcement strategies will be addressed.

Practicum (Core Subject)
This subject exposes the student to a working environment within the criminal justice, public safety or security field. Students will be able to negotiate a practical placement for the semester with an approved host organisation under agreed parameters. Students will be expected to submit a personal analysis of the placement including an assessment of the various efficiencies and deficiencies identified.

Research (Double Weighted - Core Subject)
This subject introduces the student to standards and practical procedures in conducting research and to develop an understanding of research methodologies. In negotiation with the Institute, the student will then be able to research an area of personal interest under Institute supervision. Where appropriate, students researching areas of specific interest will be encouraged to circulate and publish their work.

Skills Enhancement Program ( Core Subject)
This short concentrated subject introduces students to the skills required for tertiary study and to the stylistic and structural conventions of presenting written and oral work at university level. Note taking, essay writing, research skills, public speaking and examination techniques are all explored, using real assessment tasks from other subjects in the course as the basis for applying these skills.


Terrorism and Society ( Core Subject)
This unit introduces students to historical and contemporary issues surrounding terrorism, including its impact on the global community.

VIC3239 Victimology
The aim of this unit is to examine trends and initiatives that impact upon ‘victims’ in various contexts, with particular reference to the criminal justice system. Topics covered include definitions of victims, the historical evolution of victim empowerment strategies, kinds of victims, victim involvement and victim blaming, patterns and trends in victimisation, impacts of crime, measuring numbers of victims, the aims and scope of victim support programs, and the restitution and reparation movement.