Diploma in Criminal Justice

The Diploma in Criminal Justice is designed for students seeking a comprehensive understanding of the South African criminal justice system. It offers a multidisciplinary perspective on crime, law, and justice, equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills required for a broad range of career paths in both the public and private sectors of the criminal justice field.

Criminal justice remains a dynamic and expanding field in South Africa, with a growing demand for skilled professionals capable of navigating the complexities of crime prevention, law enforcement, public safety, and the administration of justice. Through this programme, students will develop critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills essential to the profession. In addition, they will explore the social, psychological, and systemic factors contributing to crime, enabling them to play an active role in prevention, rehabilitation, and community safety initiatives.

This qualification lays a solid foundation for further academic pursuits in fields such as criminology, policing, corrections, and public administration, offering opportunities for specialisation. The competencies gained through this diploma will prove invaluable for those committed to fostering a safer, more equitable, and justice-oriented society.

Minimum – 3 years of study

Maximum – 6 years of study

Students can potentially pursue a career in:

• Private Security Companies

• Municipalities

• Risk Management Companies

• Criminologist

• Criminal Justice officer

Upon successful completion of your qualification, you will receive a certificate depicting: Diploma in Criminal Justice and an academic transcript. These documents will be issued at a graduation ceremony provided that your account is in order.

NB: Certificates cannot be issued to the students before a graduation ceremony.

The minimum entry requirements for the Diploma in Criminal Justice are:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Diploma endorsement, or
• A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with Diploma endorsement, or
• Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), with Diploma endorsement, or
• A Senior Certificate (SC), with University Exemption or Diploma endorsement, or
• Foreign School leaving Certificate that complies with minimum admission requirements for Diploma study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board (The Matriculation Board will do equivalency evaluation)

Alternative admission requirements:

• A Higher Certificate or Diploma in a cognate discipline
• Senate discretionary admission
• Mature Age (45 years of age): conditions apply*
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Candidates over the age of 23 at registration or during their first year of attendance who have attained a Senior Certificate with at least 40% in at least four Higher Grade or Standard Grade subjects, at least three of which were passed simultaneously, one of which is a Higher-Grade subject, and one is English. Conditions apply*.

Additional Requirements:

• Foreign applicants whose first language is not English, may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English prior to admission to the programme.

*Age exemption certificates must be attained from the Matriculation Board before admission can be granted.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) are articulation mechanisms. The institution reserves the right to conduct a formal assessment for purposes of CAT. An evaluation will be conducted to recognise prior learning. This evaluation may or may not be based on a form of formal assessment and can include a portfolio of evidence submission. These mechanisms are in line with the HEQSF as envisaged in the NQF Act 67 of 2008 and the CHE “Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education” published by the CHE in August 2016. The final approval for applications in respect of CAT and RPL is subject to academic vetting in terms of applicable legislation and institutional policies.

Enquire at your nearest Lyceum Branch Office for more information regarding the awarding of subject credits (Credit Accumulation and Transfer – CAT) towards Lyceum Qualifications.

Study materials are supplied in digital format only.