Criminology Courses in Canada: Eligibility, Fees & Process

The field of criminology involves the study of criminal behaviour and the systems in place that help get criminal offenders the punishment they deserve. You will examine criminal behaviour, institutions, and systems from a variety of perspectives. Criminology can easily be combined with sociology, psychology, economics, and social work. Studying Criminology courses in Canada will give you an insight into crime and criminals and their role in our society as a whole. You will not only gain knowledge about the key concepts of criminology but also develop your ability to deal with any situation with practicality.

Criminology in Canada

Students seeking to study criminology courses in Canada can either choose to go for a Diploma in Criminology, opt for an associate degree of Arts in Criminology, or a bachelor’s program. Diplomas in Canada generally take 2 years to complete. The duration of an Associate degree is 2 years as well. Bachelor’s program duration takes 4 years to complete. Students willing to go for criminology courses in Canada can opt to do a course from various options available for studying in Canada. Below are some of the options for criminology courses in Canada that you can go ahead with:

• Diploma in Criminology
• Associate of Arts in Criminology
• BA in Criminology
• BA (Honours) in Criminology
• BA (Honours) in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Criminology and Justice
• BA Honours in sociology and criminology
• BA (Honours) in Criminology and History (Double Major)

Top Universities offering Criminology Courses in Canada

An undergraduate degree in criminology will give you a good foundation and knowledge of criminology. During your course of study, the modules will be based on crime and deviance, psychology, criminal justice, and human rights. Your course will be a mixture of different modes of learning. These will include lectures and seminars and practical sessions as well. Once you reach the placement module, you may be required to participate in submitting it actively. To master the field of criminology, one must have a strong spirit to contribute to the reduction of crime cases that help the common person lead a more peaceful life. The modules will allow you to develop your knowledge and skills in the area and prepare you for the upcoming jobs that might interest you in the near future. Below are some of the best universities you can go to for studying Criminology Courses in Canada:

University of Toronto

A criminology degree from the University of Toronto will open endless doors for a successful career and assure you access to jobs in the state, legal, and federal government. The University of Toronto has a terrific reputation and is one of the topmost among many other Canadian universities. Criminology and sociolegal studies fall under the Faculty of Arts and Science, respectively, in the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies. This faculty serves a dual purpose as a research and teaching unit of the University of Toronto. Students will dive deep into a variety of disciplines, including crime, order, security, and regulations. Many vital topics and methodological approaches included in the Centre’s faculty will shape you into a competitive criminologist.

Eligibility: Four-year Bachelor’s degree consisting of 20 full courses with at least a B+ standing.

Length of the course: 4 Years

Tuition fees: $57,020 per year

University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is an ideal choice for criminology studies/courses thanks to its future-forward approach. By pursuing criminology studies at Ottawa University, you will get access to quality education and get to lead a quality lifestyle in Ottawa city. It is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Canada and is also the world’s top 20 city to live in. The Faculty of Social Sciences at Ottawa is highly appreciated by the Department of Criminology. The department uses innovative and novel approaches to dealing with criminal justice issues. The university offers international students the chance to work closely with professors of criminology who have an in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with a major in Criminology or equivalent with a minimum average of 75% (B+).

Length of the course: 4 Years

Tuition fees: $36,161 per year

Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University carries a mission to improve the way people live safely. The course incorporates the power of knowledge, advocacy, and engagement. Simon Fraser University’s School of Criminology provides a variety of interesting courses for both undergraduate and graduate students like Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies and PhD. International students can choose to complete their criminology studies either as a major, a major with honours, a minor, or a minor in legal studies.

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5/4.33 or a GPA (last 60 credits) (79-83% for Indian students) of at least 3.67/4.33 (80-84% for Indian students).

Length of the course: Three full terms or semesters (within the twelve-month calendar year). The calendar year is divided into three academic terms, and each term has its own enrolment procedure and final examinations.

Tuition fees: approximately CAD $10,000 per year

University of Manitoba

Once you have chosen this university for mastering the profession of criminology, the next requirement would be to meet the minimum admission requirements and fill out the application based on two types of entries: direct entry and advanced entry. Some of Canada’s top criminologists are graduates of the University of Manitoba. All the criminologists have active research projects, are popular, and have published widely in their fields of expertise. The Faculty of Arts, which provides the criminology program, involves a practicum course tailored to the academic and professional skills and gives you real work experience.

Eligibility: At a minimum, an Honours (four-year bachelor’s) degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university.

Length of the course: 2 years

Tuition fees: approximately CAD $18,345 per year

University of Windsor

Studying criminology at the University of Windsor focuses on the discovery, research, and novel teaching that would help you end up with an exciting criminology profession in future. The benefits of studying at the University of Windsor also include the fact that it is Canada’s southernmost city and has one of the best climates in the country. Criminology Courses and degree programs are taught in the faculty of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology. The well-established criminology program thoroughly teaches more about criminal activity, legal issues, the criminal justice system, and other relevant aspects of criminology that affect society as a whole.

Eligibility: Applicants must have an Honours degree in Criminology or a related discipline from a recognized university.

Length of the course: 1 year

Tuition Fees: $22,538.35 per year

Ryerson University 

Ryerson University is devoted to developing a better campus and city. Ryerson University has an outstanding reputation, standing in the front line as the most student-focused institution of higher education in Canada. The Faculty of Arts is where criminology is taught, and you will find many liberal arts programs with distinguished importance given to full-time programs like criminology. Ryerson’s Criminology program offers its students hands-on experience backed by research and case studies. Students develop the capacity to explore and apply many forms of thinking, resulting in a critical approach toward a variety of topics such as law, social injustice, human rights, Indigenous justice, ethics, criminal control, prevention, and more. One can pursue criminology studies at Ryerson University at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. At the master’s level, the study of criminology will be combined with social justice.

Eligibility: 4-year bachelor’s degree in criminology or a related discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.00/4.33 (B or 73-76%)

Length of the course: 1 year

Tuition Fees: approximately $24,809 per year

Ontario Tech University

The differentiating factor about the University of Ontario Institute of Technology is that it offers a criminology program integrated with technology’s social and ethical implications. The 80 high-tech labs that the college houses promote positive social change by letting students explore and conduct research and uncover innovative solutions to global issues. Ontario Tech University’s Criminology and Justice program investigates and critically evaluates the criminology and sociology behind why individuals commit crimes. The curriculum takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying crime while relying on a strong heritage in sociology, philosophy, psychology, and law. In this experiential learning students also get a chance to practically experience what it is like by doing internships and engaging in work placement programs.

Eligibility: 4-year bachelor’s degree in criminology or a related discipline

Length of the course: 2 years

Tuition Fees: approximately $17,7152 per year

Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University distinguishes itself based on intellectual inquiry, critical reflection, and academic integrity. The university is an amalgam of unique values, committing to justice, and sustainability at present and in the upcoming future. It is among universities that offer more than 100-degree programs, an array of subjects. This university is one of the most preferred ones to pursue criminology studies. The faculty of Human and Social Science (FHSS) offers a criminology program that helps students identify and investigate social issues and make real-world connections between what they study in class – something that can even go beyond the classroom. The BA degree in Criminology teaches topics such as global terrorism, international “white collar” crime, and environmental crime, to name a few. FHSS gives you the chance to combine your Criminology major with a different honours degree, such as Human Rights and Human Diversity or Psychology.

Eligibility: A four-year honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in criminology or a related program.

Length of the course: 2 years

Tuition fees: approximately $18,615 per year

Admission Process to Study Criminology in Canada

The admission process for a master’s in Criminology in Canada is different from one university to another. However, the admissions mostly are offered for the sessions in winter and fall. International applicants are expected to have completed their graduation from a recognized university for considering/applying for Criminology courses in Canada.

Admission Requirements for Criminology Courses in Canada

To study in Canada, aspirants need to fulfil academic as well as support language requirements, i.e., in English. Students must thoroughly check the course’s entry requirements before sending the admission application package to study in Canada. Below are some of the topmost requirements:

• Academic requirements
• Qualification certificates of your 10th and 12th. Students must have good marks/percentage
• English language requirements (expert/native proficiency)

Students need to fulfil English Language proficiency requirements. This can be in the form of an IELTS band score or another language test accepted by the university you are interested in and CIC. English language requirements vary from course to course that the student chooses to do. For Diploma Programs and associate degrees, an IELTS band score of overall 6 is acceptable. The English language requirements for bachelor’s programs are higher than for Diploma programs. Students need to have an overall 6.5 score with none of the bands with less than 6 in any of the four modules of IELTS.

Tuition fees for Criminology courses in Canada

A diploma course in criminology can start anywhere from 17000 Canadian dollars per year for international students. Associate degrees also cost almost the same tuition fees. Bachelor’s degree programs have higher tuition fees and may cost starting from 20000 Canadian dollars. The cost of the program would depend on the choice of college or university chosen by the student. For studying in Canada, aspirants must always check with the college or university they wish to apply for and the current fee structure, as the tuition cost may increase annually.

Conclusion 

Undergraduate or master in Criminology from Canada is a decision of a lifetime as the country offers great courses from some of the topmost universities in the world. Criminology from Canada presents numerous exciting learning experiences to students and more. In addition to that, many cities in Canada are considered the most friendly International student-friendly cities, among which Ontario is considered to be on the top of the world list. The bottom line is that Canadian cities offer the best student-life balance to international students and are looked up to in terms of affordability and desirability. If you are ready to take the first step, further information to go for an undergraduate or master’s course from Canada, all the information is just a click away on LeapScholar.