Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

Hone your critical thinking, legal analysis, project management, communication, conflict mediation, research and analysis skills with VIU's Criminology program.

Criminology is an exciting, dynamic field of study that looks at the social and psychological factors that contribute to criminally deviant behaviour and its consequences. Students interested in current events, psychology and social justice will find their stride with our degree in Criminology.

Criminology studies grads are attracted to a range of careers in the criminal justice system, with Crown corporations and in the private sector, such as bailiff, correctional officer, court reporter, criminal investigator, legal assistant, parole officer, police officer, research, victim services specialist, and many more. Check out the careers page on the Criminology program website for more options.

In fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement.
Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on law and its interpretation by the courts, patterns in crime, the explanation of deviant and criminal behaviour, and society's reaction to law-breaking. The program introduces students to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. Students will examine in separate courses the three main components of the criminal justice systempolice, courts, and correctionsthat form an organized response to crime. The program addresses the trends and correlates of crime, including the influences of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class. The major explanations for crime try to account for these patterns by looking at historical, individual, and social causes. The criminological focus is broadened with courses from other disciplines in the Social Sciences and Humanities.

The program aims to provide students with conceptual, critical, and applied skills to work in fields where a legal/justice focus is beneficial. The curriculum emphasizes the development of professional and applied skills through training in professional ethics, conflict mediation, use of information technology for researching relevant topics, writing, presenting data, and working in small groups on specific tasks. In the fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement.

Although the core of the curriculum is centred on justice-related issues, students will find the degree program applies equally to areas in the private sector where research competence, project management, legal analysis, and communication skills are essential.

Students interested in Criminology may apply for admission to the B.A. with a Major in Criminology. Admission to the Major in Criminology is competitive. A Minor will interest students wishing to include a criminological aspect to their declared Major or other declared Minor. The lower level requirements will provide students with a foundation in several key areas of the discipline including criminological theory, Canadian law, and the Canadian criminal justice system. Access to all of the upper-level criminology courses, with the exception of the Field Placement course (CRIM 475), allows students to concentrate their studies in a particular area of interest (e.g., law) or gain exposure to a wide range of topics related to the discipline. Students who successfully complete the requirements for a Minor in Criminology with a minimum program cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 will receive a Minor.

Graduation from high school or equivalent.
International students who are BC high school graduates must have a minimum grade of C in English 12 for direct entry into an academic program

IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
TOEFL IBT - 88 (no section below 20)
TOEFL Paper Based Test - 550 (no section below 56)