Price
Domestic learners
$895* per 15 point course
International learners
$4,100* per 15 point course
*Fees outlined are based on the 2025 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable. Non-tuition fees, such as the Student Services Levy (SSL), will also apply.
Qualification
CertCJ
60 points
Duration
1 - 4 years part-time
6 months full-time
Entry times
3 February 2025
28 April 2025
14 July 2025
29 September 2025
2026
Overview
The Certificate in Criminal Justice offers a comprehensive curriculum consisting of four courses that delve into various aspects of the criminal justice system. Through these courses, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the structure of the criminal justice system, law enforcement and other agencies, and legal issues specific to the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
You will explore topics such as the history of crime and justice, the intricate relationship between ethics, politics, and justice, restorative justice principles, and the psychology of individuals involved in criminal behaviour. Additionally, the programme places emphasis on the unique historical, cultural, and social factors that shape the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand, including the country's colonial legacy, the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi, and the influence of contemporary social issues on the justice system. By studying criminal justice online, you will expand your knowledge and gain the necessary skills to pursue a career or advance within the dynamic Criminal Justice sector.
Requirements
To ensure that our learners have the necessary background and experience to succeed, you will need University Entrance (or equivalent) to enrol. If you are over the age of 20 and do not have University Entrance through NCEA or its equivalent, you may be eligible to apply for 20+ entry.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Certificate in Criminal Justice or use the admission requirements checker.
Unsure about your suitability?
As part of our application process, your eligibility will be assessed by our Criminal Justice academic team to make sure that your academic and/or professional background meets the entry criteria. Unfortunately our Tuihono UC | UC Online team cannot confirm your eligibility before your application is submitted, beyond referring you to the requirements above. We are happy to help answer any general questions you have about the programme or online learning, however. You can get in touch with us here.
Structure
The Certificate in Criminal Justice can be studied part-time over 1 year, or full-time over 6-months, subject to course availability. The programme must be completed within 4 years.
Time commitment
Unless otherwise stated, Tuihono UC | UC Online learners study across terms, rather than semesters. We have four terms per year which consist of nine-weeks of study (including a one-week study break), followed by a two-week period of marking and feedback.
Part-time learners complete one 15-point course every term, requiring approximately 18.5 hours of study per week. Full-time learners complete two courses every term, requiring approximately 37.5 hours of study per week. Study time includes taking in course material, reflection time and writing assessments. Our courses are flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments.
Upcoming term dates
Our current learning dates can be found below (please note: these dates exclude our two-week period of marking and feedback).
- 3 February - 6 April 2025
- Study break: 3-9 March 2025
- 28 April - 29 June 2025
- Study break: 26 May - 1 June 2025
- 14 July - 14 September 2025
- Study break: 11-17 August 2025
- 29 September - 30 November 2025
- Study break: 27 October - 2 November 2025
Please note: these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.
Prepare yourself for study success
New to academic study, or returning after a long break? Get prepared by taking our short Academic Writing Basics course, giving you the skills you need to ace the assignment writing in this certificate.
What you'll study
You’ll study four NZQF level 5 undergraduate courses for the Certificate in Criminal Justice.
Description
Through this course, learners gain a foundational understanding of the key components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and criminological theories. Additionally, the course explores the historical, cultural, and social factors that have shaped the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Description
Learn about significant historical events and issues that have had a profound impact on the social, political, and cultural fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand. This course will support you in developing a deeper understanding and awareness of our past, and enable you to use this to appreciate the different perspectives, complexities and sensitivities within the justice sector.
Description
What should we do when justice and freedom conflict with each other? This course will introduce you to moral and political philosophy, examining ideas and arguments about how we should live our personal, social and political lives, and the crossover into the criminal justice system.
Description
This course explores the application of psychological principles within the criminal justice system. Students will gain an understanding of criminal behaviour analysis, intervention strategies, and rehabilitation approaches. Through theoretical knowledge and practical case studies, aspiring professionals will develop skills to positively impact individual lives and contribute to a fairer justice system, promoting safer communities overall.
Our people
The Certificate in Criminal Justice is coordinated by Dr Helen Farley, with contributions from Dr Jayson Ware, Dr Madi Williams and other Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury academics.
Helen Farley is the Director of Criminal Justice at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. She is interested in prisons and corrections, with her research focussed on prison education and training, technology for learning in prisons, dynamic security, and neurodiversities in the prison population. Before coming to UC, Helen worked for Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections, overseeing prison education across the South Island’s five prisons. She is the President of the Australasian Corrections Education Association, and is part of the Expert Working Group on Technologies for Prisoner Rehabilitation for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute.
Jayson Ware is a Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. His research is focussed on offender treatment and rehabilitation, particularly the effective treatment of sex and violent offenders, as well as offender denial and acceptance of responsibility. Before coming to UC, Jayson worked as the Group Director for Offender Services and Programmes at Corrective Services New South Wales. His research and lecturing experience come from a desire to translate academic findings into simple, pragmatic solutions for practitioners and policy makers, with numerous publications in journals, textbooks and case studies.
Madi Williams is a Senior Lecturer in Aotahi - School of Māori and Indigenous Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Her research interests include Te Waipounamu iwi histories and New Zealand history, with a particular focus on the histories of Te Tauihu; oral traditions and myth; and the Global Middle Ages, with a focus on Polynesia.
Stay updated
If you're keen to know more, stay updated on when enrolments open for future intakes, or ask a question, please sign up for updates below.
Cap & minimum enrolment threshold: a minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.
Testimonials
Olivia
Certificate in Criminal Justice
“[I enjoyed] learning in depth about the criminal justice system and adding in the psychology side of things because it covered a wide range of things and helped me to identify if I wanted to pursue this field.”
Natalia
Certificate in Criminal Justice
“Thank you so much for the chance to take this course online. It has been a fantastic journey, and I've learned so many new things that will be useful in my career. I am really excited about my future. The online course was perfect for me, and I believe it will be great for many other people too.”
Learner
Certificate in Criminal Justice
“I had a blast learning these new and exciting concepts.”
Learner
Certificate in Criminal Justice
“My teacher was so kind and open, and she demonstrated this through her persistent checks and reassurance. The communication between students was a real help and the set up for students to engage really helped me progress.”
Learner
Certificate in Criminal Justice
“I enjoyed the lessons and the layout provided. I think the course was very cohesive and worked for me through every stage.”
Learner
Certificate in Criminal Justice
“I enjoyed reading and writing my own opinions and others to gain understanding and a broader view in the criminal justice system.”
FAQ
Whether you need advice finding the right course for you or support with the enrolment process, we’re here to help! Contact enrolment support for course information, technical help and enrolment support.
The Certificate in Criminal Justice is a unique and professionally relevant qualification suited to those wishing to enter or advance within the justice sector.
Bringing together the latest industry-informed learning applicable to your life and career, the Tuihono UC | UC Online Certificate in Criminal Justice gives you the same quality education as our on-campus programme, with the flexibility of online learning.
This includes 24/7 access, academic advice and technical support, giving you the support to study anywhere, anytime, at your pace.
If you're new to academic study, or returning after a long break, we'd recommend taking our short Academic Writing Basics course.
This 50-hour online course can be completed at your own pace with intakes in January, April, July and October. Developed by academic writing experts, you'll learn the skills you need to evaluate and find key concepts in academic resources, an introduction or refresh on the basics of formal writing, and the skills you need to confidently write assignments for the courses in this certificate.
The programme takes 1 year to complete studying part-time (1 course per term), and 6-months to complete studying full-time (2 courses per term).
The overall cost of tuition fees per 15 point course based on the 2025 fee schedule:
- for domestic learners is $895* incl GST
- for international learners is $4,100* plus GST if applicable.
Total programme investment for the 60 point programme based on the 2025 fee schedule:
- for domestic learners is $3,577* incl GST
- for international learners is $16,400* plus GST if applicable.
Please note that the fees are charged on a per year basis and the amount charged reflects the number of courses/points enrolled in the current year. These are based on the 2025 fee structure and subject to revision – you can learn more about the University of Canterbury’s Tuition fee structure here.
Student Services Levy costs
Each year university students around Aotearoa New Zealand are charged a Student Services Levy (SSL) in addition to their tuition fees. All the SSL money collected can only be used for the benefit of students - never for academic or administrative costs.
The SSL is automatically calculated on how many points you enrol in per academic year, capped at a maximum of 150 points. Tuihono UC | UC Online learners are charged a reduced SSL rate, which is 20% of the usual on-campus student levy. This is calculated as $1.94 per academic point in 2025. You can learn more about the Student Services Levy here, and more about UC Support Services here.
There are a range of options you can use to finance your study, which you can learn more about here.
StudyLink student loans
We know that many of our learners plan to use a StudyLink student loan to finance their study. If you're considering StudyLink, it can take up to a month to process your loan application. Learn more about StudyLink student loans here.
Fees Free
If you're eligible for the Government's Fees Free initiative, this funding can cover the cost of your online Certificate in Criminal Justice.
If you are first time tertiary learner you may be able to get your fees covered for 1 year's study equivalent to 1 EFTS (120 credits) or $12,000. You can directly check your eligibility using your National Student Number (NSN) here.
If you haven’t used 1 EFTS (120 credits) or $12,000 in your first calendar year of study, you may have some Fees Free entitlement to use in future years. You can carry forward your remaining Fees Free entitlement (in EFTS and dollars) to use in future years. Your Fees Free entitlement will stop when you use up your remaining EFTS or remaining dollars – whichever you use up first.
You must have used less than 1 EFTS (120 credits) and less than $12,000 of Fees Free entitlement to be able to carry forward to another year. If you will reach one of these caps before finishing your studies, you may wish to apply for a student loan to cover the remaining amount. For more information about Student Loans visit the StudyLink website.
Employer payments
If your employer is financing your study and wants to pay via invoice, credit card or bank transfer, this can be arranged after your application is approved. Please note that your employer will need to provide a written guarantee of payment so you can start learning from your preferred start date. This must be signed by them and specify:
- name and address of the company, employer, or sponsor
- student name and address
- amount to be paid by the company, employer, or sponsor
For further information, please contact Student Finance. You will only be fully enrolled when your fees are paid. Fees cannot be paid by instalment.
Studying online allows for flexibility in completing coursework, and the University of Canterbury's programme provides learners with the same quality education and resources as the on-campus programme.
Graduates will be equipped with a unique qualification that will prepare them for a career in the criminal justice fields, in particular roles within police and the justice sector. The Certificate is also relevant for work in other areas of government including prisons, probation and parole; criminal justice policy; forensics; public and private investigation and security; and social work. Find out more here.
The content of the programme is the same, but the online programme offers greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and location.
The programme is delivered entirely online, using a range of technologies including video conferencing, online discussion forums, and media.
Learners have access to the same support services as on-campus students, including academic advising, technical support, and library resources. There are also great resources for both Canterbury based and remote learners at the UC RecCentre. Learn more here.
Learners also have the support of our Tuihono UC Learner Experience team.
Applications are made online through our website – check to see if you can apply now or sign up to stay updated.
If you are a domestic learner, the below process will apply. If you are an international learner, the application process is slightly different, and we recommend getting in touch with our enrolment team at info@uconline.ac.nz to answer any questions.
For domestic learners, your application will be assessed by our academic team to make sure you meet all entrance criteria (including academic and english language requirements). We may be in touch to ask you further questions about your experience, or to request additional supporting documentation. If your application is accepted, you will be sent an 'Offer of Place' to let you know your enrolment has been conditionally approved.
Following this, we will generate an ‘Enrolment Agreement’ outlining your courses, fees and student agreement, which you need to sign and accept. Your enrolment is only complete when the fees outlined in this agreement are paid in full (view payment options), at which point you’ll become ‘Fully Enrolled’ and receive a ‘Welcome to Tuihono UC | UC Online’ email with details of your next steps to start learning. If you have any questions during the enrolment process, please get in touch with our team via info@uconline.ac.nz.
Learners are expected to participate actively in forum discussions, and complete assessments on time.
The Certificate in Criminal Justice is a standalone professionally relevant qualification but is also a good pathway into further Criminal Justice qualifications, such as the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree, available on-campus at the University of Canterbury. We are also developing our online offerings - if you'd like to hear about our latest news and offers, join our mailing list.
Yes, once you've successfully completed the certificate, you can apply to credit 45 points towards a relevant further qualification, such as our on-campus Bachelor of Criminal Justice, at the discretion of the relevant University of Canterbury faculty Dean. Read the full requirements in the UC general conditions for credit regulations.
An on-campus version of this certificate is available through the University of Canterbury. You can also learn more about further on-campus Criminal Justice qualifications, such as the Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree.
We are also developing our online offerings - if you'd like to hear about our latest news and offers, join our mailing list.
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