Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice

Qualification code: 90006
NQF level: 5
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 93594
APS/AS: 15
Rules:
Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare students, who do not comply with the minimum institutional admission requirements for access to diploma or degree studies in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice. The qualification is intended to introduce students to the main fields of criminal justice theory and practice by imparting systematic knowledge, skills, and theoretical competence within the field to prepare them for more specialised training at an advanced level. It is furthermore, the intention of the higher certificate programme to deliver graduates who have sound knowledge and the confidence to apply their skills in contemporary society and to enable further study in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice, or even in other colleges who do not set specific subject requirements, like Mathematics.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification.
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2019 academic year once the registration period opens.


Please note:

  • Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for the alternative qualification during the next application period.
  • All communication sent to you after the initial study package (with the exception of study guides) will be sent electronically to your myLife e-mail account (eg follow-up tutorial letters, examination timetables and results, financial statements). You will no longer receive such communication in printed format.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of modules and NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate. You must pass a minimum number of credits / modules annually so that you are able to re-register and continue with your qualification:

  • At least 36 NQF credits (3 modules of 12 credits each) in your first year of study.
  • At least 48 NQF credits (4 modules of 12 credits each) in your second or further years of study.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per semester:

  • At least 60 NQF credits (5 modules of 12 credits each) in a semester.
  • At least 120 NQF credits (10 modules of 12 credits each) per year for year modules.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

As you are deciding on the modules you will be registering for, remember to write down the module names and codes so that you have something that you can refer to when completing your registration.

First level

Rules

Students who have already passed EUP1501 for this qualification, will retain the credit and do not
have to register for ILW1501. This does not mean the modules are equivalent.

Module Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CMY1501 - Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour
ENN103F - English for Academic Purposes
FOR1501 - Forensic Methods and Techniques
ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
PEN1502 - Correctional Services Administration I: Module II: Introduction to Corrections Science
POL1501 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IA
SEP1501 - Security Principles and Practices I
SJD1501 - Social Dimensions of Justice
Group B. Choose one of the following modules
AFL1503 - Language and Communication Skills Acquisition in an African Language I
CMY1502 - Introduction to Criminology: Victims and Reduction of Crime