Criminology and Law
The career-ready placement requirements for students in our criminology and law programs are as follows:
| Program | Commencement | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Criminology | 2023 or later | Complete 140 hours of placement experiences or activities through the course CRIM3002 Criminal Justice Placement. |
| Bachelor of Criminology | Prior to 2023 | Requirements vary. Refer to your program handbook and Program Planner for more information or contact Program Advice. |
| Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Diploma of Legal Practice, Juris Doctor / Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice | All years | Complete 285 hours of legal professional workplace experience. 105 hours must be completed at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre through the course LAWS6888 Workplace Experience 1, and 180 hours must be completed elsewhere through the course LAWS6118 Final-Year Workplace Experience. |
| Master of Dispute Resolution, Master of Human Resources and Law, Juris Doctor, Master of Laws | All years | N/A |
In the Bachelor of Criminology, you will complete 140 hours of placement during your second or third year of study through the course CRIM3002 Criminal Justice Placement.
These placements occur in organisations that require criminological input into their policy, evaluation, and professional practices, including those involved in criminal justice research, education, or community service. You will be exposed to the many complex factors that influence criminology research and policy, as well as the cultural diversity of offenders and victims in the criminal justice system.
The University will facilitate your placement for you, and you are not required to arrange your placement independently or contact any placement partners directly.
We have negotiated placement opportunities with organisations in the region for which you may be considered. Some examples of placement locations include:
- Aboriginal Legal Services
- Community Corrections
- Department of Communities and Justice
- Justice Advocacy Services
- Justice Clinic
- Paperchained
- PCYC
Approximately one month prior to the start of term, you will complete an expression of interest form and indicate your preferences for the available placement opportunities through Sonia Online. We try to place you with your preferred host but please keep in mind that their ability to host students varies from year to year. Some hosts will require an application and background checks.
In some cases, if you have a pre-existing relationship with an organisation, we can arrange to have the placement approved. This process needs to start several weeks before the semester to ensure the necessary paperwork is completed. Placements are to be developed with and approved by the Placement Coordinator and the Course Coordinator.
In the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Diploma of Legal Practice, and the Juris Doctor / Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, you will complete 285 hours of legal professional workplace experience.
You will complete a minimum of 105 hours through the course LAWS6888 Workplace Experience 1 at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre (UNLC). This will occur under the supervision of the School of Law and Justice’s solicitors and be completed either in the Legal Centre during Semester or as part of our ‘Law on the Beach’ program during the summer term. Through this experience you will have intensive interaction with clients and undertake real client casework including drafting letters, submissions, undertaking research, drafting court documents and attending court with a UNLC lawyer.
Your remaining 180 placement hours will be completed externally to the University through the course LAWS6118 Final-Year Workplace Experience. The School of Law and Justice’s Placement Officer will assist you to arrange your placements. Placements are available within a variety of legal environments from small private firms to large government organisations. Some examples of placement locations include:
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Legal Aid
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- A range of private practice law firms
You may be able to complete your placement overseas. Check out the opportunities available for your program below.
For enquiries regarding criminology placements, please contact:
Dr Alice Neikirk
Course Coordinator, CRIM3002
School of Law and Justice
Alice.neikirk@newcastle.edu.au
Deb Willett
Placement Officer, School of Law and Justice
(02) 4055 3417
criminology@newcastle.edu.au
For enquiries regarding law placements, please contact:
Ingrid Barnes (Monday to Wednesday)
Placement Officer, School of Law and Justice
legalcentre@newcastle.edu.au
(02) 4921 5531
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.