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:

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 3011	Criminological Theory	3
Select one of the following:		3
CRIM 3100	Qualitative Research Methods
SOCI 3100	Qualitative Research Methods
Select one of the following:		3
CRIM 3102	Quantitative Research Methods
PSYC 2020	Psychological Statistics (formerly PSYC 2350) (Group C)
SOCI 3102	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

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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

General information on the honours program can be found at: https://www.smu.ca/academics/departments/crim-honours.html

Instructions on how to apply to the honours program: https://www.smu.ca/academics/departments/criminology-honours-application-information.html

The deadline for applications is February 15 of the academic year before students wish to begin the honours program.

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:

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 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:

Course List

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