General information
The Faculty of Social Science and Humanities offers a four-year Criminology and Justice program designed to educate students with a broad range of skills required in a variety of fields from criminal justice to law and social services.
Students learn to build an integrated approach to justice services through the examination of each of the justice system’s components, including the victim. Graduates will be skilled in taking leadership roles and more collaborative approaches within their own fields and within the related infrastructures of society.
The first year of study is common to all Criminology and Justice students. Beginning in second year, students will have the opportunity to continue with the unspecialized program or to choose from four areas of specialization—Criminal Justice, Policing in Society, Victimology and Victim Studies, or Youth, Crime and Justice.
Criminal Justice specialization
In the Criminal Justice specialization, students will explore the foundations of historical and contemporary patterns of social control, and then turn to more focused consideration of the three main institutions of formal control: police, courts and corrections.
Policing in Society specialization
The Policing in Society specialization will explore the role of law enforcement in society, as well as historical and contemporary issues related to policing and law enforcement. Topics of focus include the policing of diverse communities, emerging patterns in policing and law enforcement, and evidence-based policing.
Victimology and Victim Studies specialization
The Victimology and Victim Studies specialization will allow students to gain specialized knowledge of victim experience, issues facing victims, victimology research that informs policy and practice, victim advocacy and social justice activism, and examine how victimology is impacted by areas such as media, law, ethics, and the criminal justice system.
Youth, Crime and Justice specialization
Within the Youth, Crime and Justice specialization students will look at youthful offending and victimization, as well as systems of youth justice in Canada and elsewhere. Particular emphasis is given to contemporary issues in youth justice and the effectiveness of the justice system in dealing with young people who come into conflict with the law.
Admission requirements
Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.
Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U). All other applicants should refer to admissions for the requirements for their specific category of admission.
Practicum
A limited number of fourth-year students are granted an opportunity to participate in a learning experience with a community organization. The Practicum course consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, in-class seminars, a set of academic assignments and a major research paper and poster. As part of the pre-practicum process, students will be required to acquire a Vulnerable Sector check. For additional information, please refer to the course description for SSCI 4098U .
Internship
This program offers students who have successfully completed three years of study with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (B average on a 4.3 scale) an opportunity to engage in a work-integrated learning partnership with organizations locally and globally. The internship program not only gives students an opportunity to apply classroom concepts to the challenges of organizational life, but also helps them to gain valuable and relevant work experience to promote networking and life-long career success.
The internship program placement equates to a minimum of 280 hours of paid or unpaid field experience. The intern’s wages, where applicable, are paid by the sponsoring organization over a contracted period. The faculty may provide links to various internship placement opportunities or a student may secure an internship opportunity that meets the criteria as prescribed by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. Successful work placement completion and both a verbal and written final project will result in the intern receiving a mark and three credits toward the Honours Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Admission to the internship program is competitive. While students are participating in an internship program, they may enrol in up to two additional courses (six credits) per semester. These courses must not interfere with the internship schedule outlined by the employer. For additional information, please refer to the course description for SSCI 4103U .
Double majors
Students registered in a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the university have the opportunity, in most cases, to combine two majors within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities concurrently as a double major (note - some restrictions apply). Double major program maps have been approved by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities and are available through the Academic Advising Office. Students undertaking a double major within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities will, in most cases, be required to complete more than 120 credit hours. Students wishing to declare a double major must consult with the Academic Advising office. The Faculty of Social Science and Humanities offers a double major in Legal Studies and Political Science that is 120 credit hours to complete.
Degree and major requirements
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Criminology and Justice, students must meet both the degree requirements and requirements of the major as outlined below for a total of 120 credits. Each year prior to course registration, the order and timing of course offerings will be released by the faculty and communicated to students.
Required first-year courses for all Bachelor of Arts students in Criminology and Justice [15 credit hours]
Criminology and Justice major core courses [66 credit hours]
** General Electives
General electives can be taken at/or adjoining their year level, where permission has been granted and prerequisites have been fulfilled. A minimum of three elective courses must be offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities but outside of major at the 2000-level or higher. No more than five 1000-level elective courses can be included. ALSU 1101U is recommended as a general elective in first year. Students are also encouraged to take at least one Indigenous Studies course.
Additional required courses
The remaining 39 credit hours are selected based on the student’s choice to pursue the Criminology and Justice major, or the Criminology and Justice major with a specialization.
Criminology and Justice major [39 credit hours]
**General electives
General electives can be taken at/or adjoining their year level, where permission has been granted and prerequisites have been fulfilled. A minimum of three elective courses must be offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities but outside of major at the 2000-level or higher. No more than five 1000-level elective courses can be included. ALSU 1101U is recommended as a general elective in first year.
Criminology and Justice major with Criminal Justice specialization [39 credit hours]
Criminology and Justice major with Policing in Society specialization [39 credit hours]
Criminology and Justice major with Victimology and Victim Studies specialization [39 credit hours]
Criminology and Justice major with Youth, Crime and Justice specialization [39 credit hours]
*Youth, Crime and Justice electives
**General electives
General electives can be taken at/or adjoining their year level, where permission has been granted and prerequisites have been fulfilled. A minimum of three elective courses must be offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities but outside of major at the 2000-level or higher. No more than five 1000-level elective courses can be included. ALSU 1101U is recommended as a general elective in first year.
SSCI 4101U and SSCI 4102U Honours Thesis I and II
In order to be considered for the Honours Thesis I , students must apply during their sixth semester to begin their Honours Thesis I in semester seven. The course application must include a detailed statement of intent outlining the methodology, theoretical significance and the projected timelines for completion of the project. To proceed to Honours Thesis II , a student must have successfully completed Honours Thesis I with a minimum A-minus and prepare a written statement outlining the projected timelines for completion of the project.
Please note: only a limited number of applicants will be admitted to the Honours Thesis. Consent is required from both the instructor and the dean.
SSCI 4005U Independent Study
In order to be considered for the Independent Study students must apply in the semester prior to the commencement of the study. Applications must include a letter of intent detailing the course plan and including a preliminary reading list, a suggested method of evaluation and suggested timelines for completing the project. Please note: Only a limited number of applicants will be admitted to the Independent Study. Consent is required from both the instructor and the dean.
Program learning outcomes
The following outcomes outline the knowledge and skills students will have achieved upon completion of the program.
