Criminology
The Criminology program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. The criminology program offers undergraduate, honours, and graduate degrees. The undergraduate and honours programs enable students to obtain a greater understanding of criminology for careers in related professions or graduate studies. The Master of Arts degree helps students gain advanced knowledge and specialized skills through courses and independent research.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a well-established, foundational degree and requires the requirements listed below alongside general graduation requirements.
Major in Criminology
For admission to the program, students must have completed Introduction to Criminology (CRIM 1303), Exploring Criminology (CRIM 2110) and Canadian Criminal Justice System (CRIM 2304). Students must have received a minimum grade of B- in CRIM 2110 and 2304.
To major in Criminology, students must complete thirty-six (36) credit hours as follows:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 1303 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 2110 | Exploring Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 2304 | Canadian Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRIM 3011 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Psychological Statistics (formerly PSYC 2350) (Group C) | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods | ||
| Select 12 credit hours in CRIM 3000-level courses 1 | 12 | |
| Select six credit hours in CRIM 4000-level courses 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Students may receive up to three (3) credit hours from Criminology-related courses taken outside of the Department of Criminology. Please see the Department website for a list of eligible courses.
Honours in Criminology
This is a selective program. Applicants for admission to the Honours program must:
- have completed at least 60 credit hours;
- have completed or be enrolled in
Course List Code Title Credit Hours CRIM 1303 Introduction to Criminology 3 CRIM 2110 Exploring Criminology 3 CRIM 2304 Canadian Criminal Justice System 3 CRIM 3100 Qualitative Research Methods 3 CRIM 3102 Quantitative Research Methods 3 CRIM 3011 Criminological Theory 3 - have declared a major in Criminology
- have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 out of 4.3;
- have a cumulative program GPA in Criminology courses of 3.5 out of 4.3;
- have no grade in Criminology courses lower than a C;
- have contacted a faculty member who would be willing to serve as a supervisor for the Honours Thesis Research Preparation (CRIM 4600) and Honours Thesis Writing (CRIM 4601); and
- Students may not begin the honours program prior to having successfully completed
Course List Code Title Credit Hours CRIM 1303 Introduction to Criminology 3 CRIM 2110 Exploring Criminology 3 CRIM 2304 Canadian Criminal Justice System 3 CRIM 3100 Qualitative Research Methods 3 CRIM 3102 Quantitative Research Methods 3 CRIM 3011 Criminological Theory 3
The deadline for applications is January 30 of the academic year before students wish to begin the honours program.
Applicants should fill out the Departmental application form found here:
https://www.smu.ca/academics/departments/criminology-honours-application-information.html and the Registrar’s form https://www.smu.ca/webfiles/HonoursApplication-2.pdf
Submit both, on or before the deadline to criminology@smu.ca.
Note that applicants should contact potential supervisors well in advance of the deadline.
For honours in Criminology, students must complete sixty (60) credit hours as follows:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 1303 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 2110 | Exploring Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 2304 | Canadian Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRIM 3011 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CRIM 3100 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CRIM 3102 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CRIM 4501 | Advanced Theory | 3 |
| CRIM 4502 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| CRIM 4600 | Honours Thesis Research Preparation | 3 |
| CRIM 4601 | Honours Thesis Writing | 3 |
| Select 30 credit hours in CRIM at the 3000 and 4000 level courses, with at least nine credit hours in CRIM at the 4000 level | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
To graduate with honours, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 out of 4.3 in Criminology courses at the 2000 level and above. Students must earn a grade of B+ in Honours Thesis Writing (CRIM 4601).
Minor Program in Criminology
For admission to the minor program, students must have completed Introduction to Criminology (CRIM 1303), Exploring Criminology (CRIM 2110) and Canadian Criminal Justice System (CRIM 2304). Students must have received a minimum grade of B- in CRIM 2110 and 2304.
The minor in criminology requires twenty-four (24) credit hours in criminology completed with a minimum grade point average of C. Required courses include:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 1303 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 2110 | Exploring Criminology | 3 |
| CRIM 2304 | Canadian Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Select 15 additional credit hours in CRIM at the 2000, 3000, or 4000 level courses | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |