- Before you enrol
- Communication skills
- Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
- Behavioural and social skills
Committed to equity and diversity
At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University Community.
Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.
The inherent academic requirements of the Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the programs.
This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for these programs so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.
Skills you need
The Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice has inherent academic requirements in three categories:
- Communication skills
- Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
- Behavioural and social skills
Before you enrol
If you intend to enrol in the Diploma or Bachelor of Criminology and Justice at UniSC, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.
If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff.
Reasonable adjustments
Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the program if the adjustment is:
- logistically reasonable
- likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner.
Support and further information is available from UniSC
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Relevant academic contacts
Communication skills
To study a Diploma or Bachelor of Criminology and Justice, students need to demonstrate effective communication in a variety of practice and academic contexts. These skills include:
- Verbal and nonverbal communication and literacy (language) skills
- Written communication skills
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills
Verbal and nonverbal communication and literacy (language) skills
Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- an ability to communicate, in English, to a standard that allows fluid, clear, timely, and comprehensible two-way discussions
- an ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, effective messages
- an ability to understand and to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
- an ability to express ideas concisely and clearly with the capacity to develop skills in verbal reasoning
- listening comprehension skills that equip the student to deal with varied situations, from note-taking in lectures to work placement situations
- sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences in their communication and ability to interact appropriately in different situations
Justification
This is an inherent academic requirement of the Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice because communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships is essential for the study and practice of criminology and justice. Effective interactive communication with peers, academic staff, field placement supervisors and other relevant parties in field placement and academic settings is fundamental to Criminology and Justice study and functionality.
Adjustments
Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of a Diploma or Bachelor of Criminology and Justice if, considering and balancing all relevant factors, the adjustment:
- is logistically reasonable
- is likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner
- does not adversely affect the student or anyone else
Exemplars
As a student, you must be able to:
- recognise, interpret and respond appropriately and accurately to verbal communication and non-verbal communication cues
- participate in classroom discussions; engage in role plays; convey a spoken message accurately and effectively; respond appropriately to staff and students; make oral presentations and lead discussions; respond appropriately to an information request in the classroom; participate in placements and internships.
- demonstrate appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others and show sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.
Written communication skills
Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental Criminology and Justice student requirement.
Students must demonstrate the capacity to:
- construct coherent, timely and professional written communication in English compliant with academic writing conventions in an appropriate manner for the intended audience
- read and comprehend a range of literature and information in English
Justification
Construction of text-based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards is necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter.
Adjustments
Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective acquisition, recording, comprehension and transmission of information in academic and work placement settings.
Exemplars
As a student, you must be able to:
- construct an essay to academic standards
- undertake written work to a professional standard, such as reports or file or case notes
- paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic, professional and/or organisational practice conventions
Information and communication technology (ICT) skills
Students must have the capacity to acquire and demonstrate:
- sound working skills in applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to communicate via a range of ICT applications and systems in both academic and professional settings.
Justification
These are inherent requirements of the Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice because competent ICT skills are essential to:
- successfully accessing, applying and communicating information to meet learning outcomes
- preparing and completing assessment tasks and submitting assessment items online
Adjustments
Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively use a range of ICT to apply and communicate accurate information. UniSC has in place a range of strategies and technology to support students with disabilities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with USC’s AccessAbility Service.
Exemplars
As a student you must:
- Employ a range of ICT skills such as internet searching and word processing to produce written and audio-visual learning and assessment activities.
- Use a range of software, applications and devices for academic, research and placement purposes, in face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous communication environments.
Intellectual – Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
The capacity to demonstrate:
Knowledge and application of theory and the skills of cognition and comprehension must be demonstrated.
These include:
- literacy (language), knowledge, cognitive and metacognitive skills appropriate to the discipline
- capacity for independent critical thinking, creating thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, decision making, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
- ability to develop intellectual skills in a variety of academic and practice contexts and to apply acquired skills and knowledge in practice
Justification
Intellectual abilities are inherent academic requirements of the Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice because consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive abilities must be demonstrated to provide professional and competent criminology and justice practice. Further, the ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental to the study and practice of criminology and justice; where knowledge must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately.
Adjustments
Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.
Exemplars
As a student, you must be able to:
- conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
- read, comprehend and analyse concepts and theories; conceptualise, formulate and problem solve
- use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks
- build strong conceptual frameworks and apply knowledge of theories, models, concepts, policy, procedures and practice; in classroom discussions, groupwork, assessments and professional contexts
- be aware of your own thinking and demonstrate skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt and implement cognitive strategies for improved learning
- understand and apply theories and concepts of crime causation and prevention
- paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions
Behavioural and Social Skills
To study a Diploma or Bachelor of Criminology and Justice, students need to demonstrate a range of behavioural and social skills. Broadly stated, these skills relate to ethical behaviour and other behavioural and social skills such as adapting to sensitive and complex situations in academic and professional settings.
Ethical behaviour
Students must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- knowledge of the ethical behaviour expected of a UniSC Student and criminology and justice practice
- compliance with student codes of conduct and professional standards
- accountability for behaviours and actions
Justification
These are inherent academic requirements of the Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice because the criminal justice system is governed by legislation, standards and codes of ethics that relate to law, justice and crime. Ethical conduct and integrity are core requirements in all criminal justice practice.
Adjustments
Adjustments must support ethical behaviour in academic and professional settings.
Exemplars
As a student, you must be able to:
- demonstrate an ethical approach to discussions
- reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues
- reflect on beliefs and practices considerations and issues and take responsibility for ensuring own ethical behaviour
Other behavioural and social skills
In addition to ethical behaviour, students undertaking a Diploma or Bachelor of Criminology and Justice must have the capacity to demonstrate:
- stability and adaptability to dynamic academic and professional environments that may be challenging and unpredictable
- dealing with uncertainties in a constructive and professionally appropriate manner
- contributing to the learning of others in a collaborative learning environment, showing interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students
- capacity to self-evaluate and reflect upon own practice, feelings and beliefs
- working with others and sharing responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts
- cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops, trips work placements and assessments
Justification
These are inherent academic requirements of a Diploma and Bachelor of Criminology and Justice because students must be able to work constructively in socially and culturally diverse and dynamic academic and placement environments.
Adjustments
Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in academic and professional settings.
Exemplars
As a student, you must be able to:
- engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in discussion settings in the classroom and in team tasks and be receptive and professional in responding appropriately to constructive written and verbal feedback
- manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with others both in University and placement settings