Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Criminology (BA)

brantford

Study the impact of crime on individuals, communities and society. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to crime and punishment, you’ll study sociology, psychology and the law to examine what defines a crime, why people commit them and how society responds. Seek effective solutions to social problems associated with crime and victimization. This flexible program means you can double major or take a Forensic Psychology Specialization.

Learn more about the Criminology program.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll have access to in the Criminology program:

Check out the Criminology Experience Guide.

 

2020 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2019/20

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or May (spring term)     OUAC code: UCI
Ontario High School Admission Requirements
  • Minimum admission range: low 70s.
  • Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: low 80s.
  • English at 60%.
Canadian Admission Requirements (Outside of Ontario)

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 Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
International Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

English-Proficiency Requirement

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 experience success 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.

Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program

The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. 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 LEAF program.
College Pathways

Students enrolling in Laurier’s Criminology program after completing a two- or three-year diploma program may earn up to 6.0 or 7.5 transfer credits (respectively).

Learn more about our college transfer agreement.

Other Admission Requirements

Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more. 

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Details

One Field, Many Disciplines

As a Criminology student, your classes will draw on sociology, psychology and law to examine what defines a crime, why people commit them, and how society responds. Criminologists focus on: theories explaining the causes of crime; the social impact and reaction to crime and deviance; the effects of victimization; the criminal justice system and law enforcement responses to crime; and crime prevention.

At Laurier, you'll get a well-rounded education that emphasizes critical thinking, theoretical explanations of behaviour, a foundation in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and communication and writing skills – which just about every employer you meet wants to see.

Into Your Field From the Start

As a Criminology student at Laurier, you’ll be able to jump right into the subjects that interest you by enrolling in Criminology electives during your first year. Your courses will include lectures, case studies and seminars, as well as guest lectures from people who work in the field every day.

Earn a Law Degree, Too

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) program can be completed in six years.

You'll complete your first two years in the Criminology program at our Brantford campus. Students who meet the GPA and progression requirements may then apply to the UK law program and are guaranteed an offer of admission to the University of Sussex law school; there is no requirement to write the LSAT entrance exam. After three years of studying abroad in the UK and completing an LLB, you'll return for one final year at Laurier to complete your Laurier BA.

Program Options and Courses

Forensic Psychology Specialization

We offer a Forensic Psychology Specialization, which brings together the fields of psychology and criminology. It explores how psychology can help us better understand crime, criminals, victims and the law.

You’ll take introductory and advanced courses on forensic psychology from Laurier's Psychology department and forensics-related courses from the Criminology department such as:

  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • Psychology of Crime
  • Offender Rehabilitation
  • Addiction and Crime
  • Forensic Psychology

Options and Minors

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:

  • Human Rights and Human Diversity Minor
  • Law and Society Minor
  • Psychology Minor
  • Youth and Children's Studies Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree and review our program requirements.

First-Year Courses

  • Introduction to Criminology
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • Two of:
    • Modernity and the Contemporary World
    • Modernity: Critique and Resistance
    • Academic Literacy: Social Sciences
    • Academic Literacy: Humanities
  • 3.0 elective credits

LLB (Sussex) and BA (Laurier) requires you to take all four of the following courses:

  • Modernity and the Contemporary World
  • Modernity: Critique and Resistance
  • Academic Literacy: Social Sciences
  • Academic Literacy: Humanities

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Digital Creativity
  • Film and the Image
  • Introduction to Psychology

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Global Terrorism and Security
  • Multiple Murder
  • White Collar Crime

Similar Programs

Community Service-Learning

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Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses at Laurier integrate service in the community with what you are learning in your classes. Placements are approximately 10 weeks and take place on a weekly basis from the second week of classes to the final week, typically for two hours per week.

CSL placements consist of volunteering at a local community service, such as a soup kitchen or a children's treatment centre. It’s a great way to apply classroom knowledge and gain practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, develop your network, and graduate with experience.

Interested? Learn more about Community Service-Learning.

Tuition and Scholarships

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.

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"This program opens doors many people do not know exist. Summer internships, Community Service-Learning courses and amazing professors keep you engaged and wanting to learn more."

Nicole Ho, Criminology graduate

"All of my current success is due to the inspiration and support of the faculty and international opportunities offered through the program."

Sinthu Vimaladasan, Criminology graduate, fundraising communications intern for the United Nations Refugee Agency in Canada

Your Career Awaits

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?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • addictions counsellor
  • child protection worker
  • crime reporter
  • fraud investigator
  • immigration/customs officer
  • law enforcement/security
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • policy analyst/advisor

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. Close to great walking and biking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"This program allows your to customize your degree to your interests. You can choose from a variety of courses, such as Multiple Murder, Cyber Crime or Youth Justice. I also did a double major and having this freedom allowed me to enjoy everything I was studying."

Sarah Martiniello, Criminology graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.

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