Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Study the impact of crime on individuals, communities and society as a whole. In our Criminology program, you'll investigate how criminal acts are defined, why people commit them and how society responds.
Embrace an interdisciplinary approach that weaves together sociology, psychology and law. Engage with real-world challenges and seek effective solutions to the social issues linked to crime and victimization.
Get career-ready by pursuing a pathway based on your passions, such as the law pathway or Master of Business Administration (MBA) pathway.
Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:
Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):
Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.
Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.
Earn the Global Crime and Justice certificate in addition to your degree. The certificate consists of 2.0 credits and is fully online. Course topics include crime prevention and criminal justice, anti-corruption, trafficking in persons and counter-terrorism.
Interested in how crime is evolving in the digital age? The Foundations in Cybercrime specialization is designed for Criminology students who want to dive into the world of online crime and cybersecurity. You'll explore topics like hacking, identity theft, cyberbullying, online fraud and how technology is used in both committing and solving crimes.
This specialization will give you a competitive edge if you're considering careers in law enforcement, cybersecurity policy, digital forensics or any field where understanding technology and crime intersect.
These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:
Check out other options to enhance your degree and review our program requirements.
Expand your field of expertise by pairing your Criminology major with another major (or another whole degree!):
Connect with an academic advisor in first year for information about pursuing a second major.
The following opportunities allow you to pursue additional, related qualifications from another postsecondary institution (either before or after your time at Laurier):
You can combine this program with a law degree (LLB) from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. Our Bachelor of Laws (University of Sussex, UK) and Bachelor of Arts (Laurier) can be completed in six years.
You'll complete your first two years at our Brantford campus. Students who meet the progression requirements may then apply to the UK law program and are guaranteed an offer of admission; there is no requirement to write the LSAT entrance exam. After three years abroad for your LLB, you'll return to Laurier for one and complete the BA. Apply directly on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.
The Arts BA + MBA is available in three programs:
You will complete your BA on the Brantford campus and your MBA on the Waterloo campus. Explore each program for first-year core courses, sample first-year electives and sample upper-year courses. When you apply on the OUAC application, select Criminology, Game Design and Development or Leadership as your subject of major interest.
Check out other pathways to and from Laurier.
OUAC code: UQ
When you apply on the OUAC application:
Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum must present the following:
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed above. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Students applying to this program from another post-secondary institution are encouraged to review our transfer-specific requirements. This page will show you the admission requirements for your unique transfer situation and provide more details about transferring to Laurier.
College graduates applying to Laurier’s Criminology program may be eligible for admission with one of our block transfer agreements.
Learn more about our college pathway opportunities.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
Getting a university education is an investment in your future.
At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
Join us on campus and experience university life firsthand.
Attend all your classes in a physical classroom on scheduled days and times, which you will see and choose from when you register for courses.
Connect face-to-face with your professors, learn alongside your classmates and be part of the campus community from day one.
Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.
Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.
Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?
