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
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
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.

Computer Security (Elective)
This subject introduces students to principles for computer security and the protection of data. Specific security requirements such as computer facility, data control and conversion centres, storage, power, back-up and disposal procedures are examined.

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.

Criminal Law
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
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.

Disaster Recovery (Elective)
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.

Emergency Management
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.

Evidence (Elective)
This subject examines the application of rules of evidence and how these rules apply within a common law jurisdiction. Areas covered by the course include privilege, hearsay, opinion and expert evidence, and the competence and compellability of persons to give evidence. A number of case studies are conducted including moot court sessions.

Facility Management
This subject introduces students to contemporary issues related to facilities management practice including a broad understanding of the various roles and functions. Students will be guided through considerations that apply when developing a facility management strategy including development of autonomous business units, outsourcing rather than in-house operations, and understanding core and non-core considerations for facility management practice.

Federal Criminal Law (Elective)
This unit introduces the student to the principal sources and significance of federal criminal law in Australia. On successful completion of this unit, students will understand the sources and nature of federal criminal law, understand and evaluate the functions, role and effectiveness of the principal federal investigatory and prosecutorial agencies, understand and evaluate the involvement of federal investigatory agencies in the identification and investigation of organised crime, including organised revenue fraud, recognise and critically evaluate federal legislation and principles relating to significant federal offences, including drug, money laundering and revenue offences and understand the sentencing structures and sanctions available for federal offences.

Information Security
This subject introduces the student to processes for initiating, implementing and maintaining information systems and security in consideration of the various Australian and international standards that apply. A specific focus will be made to asset classification and control, integrated information physical and environmental security strategies, limitations that apply to computer and network management, and general business compliance requirements.

Introduction to Public Safety
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 Psychology
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 Security
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.

Legal Process
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
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
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.

Security Management
This important area of security exposes students to the planning, organising and controlling of a security business or a security division within an organisation. This subject also introduces students to budgeting and general financing together with methods for conducting staff appraisals and working within industrial relations requirements.

Security Technology
This subject introduces students to managerial level security technology as an ever increasingly important part of the process of business performance. The subject also considers the relevant strengths and weaknesses of technology as a package for public safety, security and social control. Students will also critically analyse a range of implications relative to technological innovation within the workplace.


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 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
This unit introduces students to historical and contemporary issues surrounding terrorism, including its impact on the global community.

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