Laurentian University Programs
Available in English

Criminal Justice

Faculty of Arts

Program Description

Program Overview

From the courtroom to the crime scene. Your future career in law and order starts here

What is criminal justice?


Criminal justice focuses on the systems used to address and handle crimes. This includes everything from investigating crimes and arresting suspects to prosecuting them in court and managing their punishment. Criminal justice involves various agencies like police, courts, and correctional facilities working together to enforce laws and ensure justice is served.

What you’ll learn


In the Criminal Justice program, you’ll explore the different philosophies, history, and theories about criminal justice. You’ll gain an understanding of how our legal and judicial systems work, the role of police and judges, and how laws are made and enforced. In addition to courses in criminal law, you'll take courses in public and private law and dispute resolution as well as selecting from approved course options in psychology, history, and sociology. You’ll also learn about how judges make decisions and the challenges they face with immoral law.

When you graduate


Once you finish your studies, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to enter the workforce in a variety of positions, including law enforcement, corrections, legal professions, and more. Students who complete the 4-year program will graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Criminal Justice.

The program can also prepare you for law school or graduate school.

Take advantage of small class sizes and study with criminal justice professionals and experts.

Engage in the thinking, reasoning, and debate required to improve the social, political, economic and human conditions in today’s society.

Study famous trials, major legal principles, and historical cases to understand the evolution of criminal justice.

Career Outlook

You can pursue a wide variety of careers with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in law enforcement, corrections, legal services, forensics, victim services, and social services. Some of these careers include: 

  • Crime scene investigator
  • Corrections officer
  • Customs officer
  • Insurance officer
  • Law clerk
  • Lawyer (requires law school)
  • Paralegal
  • Police officer
  • Private investigator
  • Probation officer
  • Researcher

These careers are available in both the private and public sectors. Some may require additional training and education. 

You can also work for organizations such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Correctional Service Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada, and more.

Program Details

Program language:

English

Delivery method:

On Campus

Contact info

Jim Ketchen
(705) 675-1151 ext. 4325
Administrative Assistant: Jennifer More ext. 5380
lawandjustice@laurentian.ca

Please contact the email above, and our recruitment team will get back to you!

Admission Requirements

Ontario High School Applicants

Program Prerequisites:

  • 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 5 other grade 12 U/M courses
  • A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses


Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.

Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.

 

Applicants from outside an Ontario High School 

International Students

Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario

Applicants from Colleges

Applicants from other Universities

Mature Student

How To Apply

Canadian Applicants

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Canadian Undergraduate Applicants page.


Apply Now as a Domestic Applicant

International Applicants

If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.


Apply Now as an International Applicant

Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminal Justice

Total 120 credits

Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.

 

**All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and Indigenous content as per the regulations. Students may fulfill these requirements at any time during their studies.  Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.

Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization. 

Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.

 

Major in Criminal Justice

JURI 1105E     Introduction to Legal Studies *

JURI 2107E     Public Law *

JURI 2136E     Introduction to Interpersonal Dispute Resolution *

JURI 3206E     Introduction to Criminal Law and Procedure

JURI 3216E     Themes in Criminal Law

6 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level from the Criminal Justice Approved Course List

6 additional credits at the 4000 level from the Criminal Justice Approved Course List

12 additional credits from the Criminal Justice Approved Course List

78 credits of electives**  (Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits.)

* minimum grade of C- (60%) is required to count  in the major

 

Minor in Criminal Justice

JURI 1105E     Introduction to Legal Studies *

JURI 2107E     Public Law 

JURI 3206E     Introduction to Criminal Law and Procedure

JURI 3216E     Themes in Criminal Law

9 additional credits at the 2000 or 3000 level credits from the Criminal Justice Approved Course List

* minimum grade of C- (60%) is required to count in the minor

 

Criminal Justice Approved Course List

JURI 2426E     Nature of Legal Authority

JURI 3126E     Theories of Judicial Decision Making

JURI 3136E     Adversary System and its Critique

JURI 3246E     Women in Conflict with the Law

JURI 3306E     Legal Rights in Criminal Proceedings

JURI 4026E     Wicked Legal Systems

JURI 4286E     Youth Criminal Justice

JURI 4386E     Great Trials

JURI 4816E     Selected Topics offered as Advanced Themes in Criminal Law

JURI 4826E     Selected Topics offered as Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice Theory

HIST 3476E     Crime & Punishment in England

PHIL 2345E     Bioethics: Human Life Issues

PSYC 3605E     Psychopathology

PSYC 4026E     Forensic Psychology

SOCI 2066E     Explanations of Crime

SOCI 2067E     Institutions of the Criminal Justice System

Sample Courses

Faculty Members

Michel Giroux
Full Professor, School of Liberal Arts
School of Liberal Arts
James Ketchen
Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts
School of Liberal Arts

Sessional Faculty

  • Mathieu Ansell
  • Dawn Dubois
  • André Emond
  • Renée Fuchs
  • Madeleine Hebert
  • Henri Pallard
  • Eugène O'Sullivan
  • Melissa Sullivan
  • Kara Vakiparta

 

Ready to take the next step?

We’re here to help you get started on your journey to Laurentian.

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