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.
Director of Criminal Justice | University of Canterbury
Senior Lecturer | University of Canterbury
Senior Lecturer | University of Canterbury
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 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).
Tuition fees are:
| 2024 | Domestic | *Fees outlined are based on the 2024 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable. | $3,372.50 |
| 2024 | International | *Fees outlined are based on the 2024 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable. | $15,800 |
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 2024 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. UC Online learners are charged a reduced SSL rate, which is 20% of the usual on-campus student levy. This is calculated as $1.83 per academic point in 2024. 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:
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.
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 UC Online website – view open enrolments and/or expressions of interest for when enrolments open.
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 60 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.