Interested in understanding crime, justice and social change? Wilfrid Laurier University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminology explores how crime is defined, why it occurs and how societies respond to criminal behaviour, victimization and social justice.
You’ll draw from sociology, psychology and law to examine complex challenges affecting communities today. Build critical thinking, research and analytical skills that prepare you for careers in criminal justice, public policy, social services, law and beyond.
Enhance your degree through a multi-degree pathway, including a pathway to gain a law degree (LLB), a master's degree in business administration (MBA), or a master's degree in criminology (MA), new for fall 2027.
Discover what makes this Laurier program unique and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
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!):
Explore a sample weekly schedule to see what your day-to-day might look like in this program.
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.
The Advanced Criminological Research specialization is designed for Criminology students who want to develop the skills needed to design, conduct and evaluate high-quality research.
You'll gain experience with qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods while learning how to collect, analyze and interpret data. Through hands-on research opportunities and directed study, you'll build practical skills that can be applied to a wide range of criminological and social issues. This specialization is ideal for students considering graduate studies.
For Criminology students who want to explore how governments, institutions and justice systems develop and implement policies that influence crime prevention, law enforcement and justice outcomes.
You'll examine the politics of crime and criminal justice, investigate systemic challenges within existing institutions and explore alternative approaches to creating safer and more equitable communities.
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.
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.
This specialization is designed for Criminology students who want to examine how global migration patterns, social inequalities and criminal justice systems intersect in Canada and around the world.
You'll explore contemporary issues related to migration and human trafficking through a criminological lens, gaining insight into the social, political and economic factors that shape these experiences. Through the study of both global and local challenges, you'll develop a deeper understanding of human rights, vulnerability, exploitation and justice responses.
Designed for Criminology students who want to examine how crime, victims, and the justice system are portrayed across news, film, television and social media. You'll explore how media representations influence public perceptions of crime, shape policy debates and affect criminal justice practices.
Through the study of key criminological perspectives, you'll develop critical media literacy skills and gain a deeper understanding of the role media plays in shaping conversations about crime and justice.
This is for Criminology students who want to explore how factors such as gender, race, class, sexuality, and mental health influence experiences of victimization, criminalization and access to justice.
You'll examine how crime and justice are understood and constructed in society while engaging with critical and intersectional perspectives that highlight the role of power, privilege and inequality.
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 electives and minors 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 your first year for information about pursuing a second major.
The following opportunities allow you to pursue additional, related qualifications from another postsecondary institution:
Earn a BA and MA in Criminology in 5 years with our unique multi-degree pathway.
Through both the 2-year thesis stream and the 1-year hybrid course-based stream, students will be provided with critical analysis and knowledge on topics relevant to criminology and criminal justice such as:
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.
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.
If you've completed studies at another college or university, you may be eligible to transfer into Wilfrid Laurier University's Criminology (BA) program. Admission requirements vary depending on your academic background and the number of postsecondary courses you've completed.
To find out if you can transfer into this program, we encourage you to:
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.
Our Criminology (BA) graduates go on to a wide range of rewarding careers. Here are just a few examples:
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
As a Laurier alum, you'll have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
Below is a breakdown of tuition fees and expenses for Laurier Human and Social Sciences (HSS) students for one year (or two terms) studying full time. Fees are based on 2026/27 rates and are subject to increase. All fees are shown in Canadian dollars.
| Fee Type | Domestic Students | International Students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,180 | $36,624 |
| Student Fees | $1,830 | $2,778 |
| Textbook Fees | $1,500 | $1,500 |
See a full breakdown of your first-year expenses.
When you apply to Laurier you’ll be automatically assessed for entrance scholarships (based on your final admission average) and for in-course scholarships in your upper years (based on your Laurier GPA from the previous academic year). We also offer more than 700 competitive scholarships and awards, which require separate applications and may be awarded throughout the academic year.
This is primarily an in-person program, meaning you'll attend classes on campus and learn face-to-face with professors and classmates. When you register for courses, you'll be able to select from available sections and create your timetable.
In-person delivery gives you direct access to faculty, hands-on learning opportunities and a traditional university student experience.
Become a Laurier insider to get quick, fun and informative updates along your application journey.
Have questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548‑889‑8888 or see all contact information.
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