- Program Length4 Years
- CredentialBachelor Degree
-
Location OfferedNanaimo
Hone your critical thinking, legal analysis, project management, communication, conflict mediation, research and analysis skills with VIU’s Criminology program.
Criminology is an exciting, dynamic field of study that looks at the social and psychological factors that contribute to criminally deviant behaviour and its consequences. Students interested in current events, psychology and social justice will find their stride with our degree in Criminology.
Criminology studies grads are attracted to a range of careers in the criminal justice system, with Crown corporations and in the private sector, such as bailiff, correctional officer, court reporter, criminal investigator, legal assistant, parole officer, police officer, research, victim services specialist, and many more. Check out the careers page on the Criminology program website for more options.
In fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement.
The Criminology (BA) Program
Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on law and its interpretation by the courts, patterns in crime, the explanation of deviant and criminal behaviour, and society’s reaction to law-breaking. The program introduces students to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. Students will examine in separate courses the three main components of the criminal justice system—police, courts, and corrections—that form an organized response to crime. The program addresses the trends and correlates of crime, including the influences of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class. The major explanations for crime try to account for these patterns by looking at historical, individual, and social causes. The criminological focus is broadened with courses from other disciplines in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
The program aims to provide students with conceptual, critical, and applied skills to work in fields where a legal/justice focus is beneficial. The curriculum emphasizes the development of professional and applied skills through training in professional ethics, conflict mediation, use of information technology for researching relevant topics, writing, presenting data, and working in small groups on specific tasks. In the fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement.
Although the core of the curriculum is centred on justice-related issues, students will find the degree program applies equally to areas in the private sector where research competence, project management, legal analysis, and communication skills are essential.
Students interested in Criminology may apply for admission to the B.A. with a Major in Criminology. Admission to the Major in Criminology is competitive. A Minor will interest students wishing to include a criminological aspect to their declared Major or other declared Minor. The lower level requirements will provide students with a foundation in several key areas of the discipline including criminological theory, Canadian law, and the Canadian criminal justice system. Access to all of the upper-level criminology courses, with the exception of the Field Placement course (CRIM 475), allows students to concentrate their studies in a particular area of interest (e.g., law) or gain exposure to a wide range of topics related to the discipline. Students who successfully complete the requirements for a Minor in Criminology with a minimum program cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 will receive a Minor.
Requirements for a Major
Students must fulfil all the institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements, and the courses listed below:
Program Outline
|
Year 1 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
CRIM 101 - (Intro to Criminology) or |
3 |
|
CRIM 103 - (Psycho-social Explanations of Criminality) or three credits from |
3 |
|
CRIM 131 - (Intro to the Criminal Justice System) |
3 |
|
CRIM 135 - (Intro to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions: a Criminal Justice Perspective) |
3 |
|
Select at least one course from the following list: |
3 |
|
PSYC 111 - (Contemporary Psychology I) |
3 |
|
PSYC 112 - (Contemporary Psychology II) |
3 |
|
SOCI 111 - (Intro to Sociology) or |
3 |
|
Degree English Requirements |
3-6 |
|
Total Credits |
30 |
|
Year 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
CRIM 204 - (Deviance, Crime and Social Control) |
3 |
|
Select one of the following Research Methods courses: |
3 |
|
CRIM 230 - (Criminal Law) |
3 |
|
Select at least one course from the following list: |
3 |
|
Select one of the following statistics courses: |
3 |
|
POLI 151 - (Law and Politics in Canada) |
3 |
|
Select one or two courses from the following list: |
3-6 |
|
Two to four electives chosen from any 100/200/300/400-level courses. The number of electives required depends on the number of Indigenous and/or ENGL credits completed. |
6-12 |
|
Total Credits |
30 |
Note: Students who have completed a total of 60 credits and all first- and second-year requirements for the Criminology Major may apply to receive a Criminology Diploma.
|
Year 3 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
CRIM 301 - (Trauma, Resilience, and the Justice System) |
3 |
|
CRIM 321 - (Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policy) |
3 |
|
CRIM 334 - (Law and Society) |
3 |
|
CRIM 350 - (Qualitative Research Methods) or, |
3 |
|
CRIM 351 - (Quantitative Research Methods) or, |
3 |
|
CRIM 360 - (Advanced Criminological Theory) |
3 |
|
Twelve credits of electives, with a minimum of three elective credits chosen from 300/400 level courses. |
12 |
|
Total Credits |
30 |
|
Year 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
CRIM 400 - (Law and Human Rights) |
3 |
|
CRIM 475* - (Justice Capstone Tutorial and Field Placement) or, |
6 |
|
Select nine credits from the following list: |
9 |
|
Twelve credits of electives, with a minimum of three elective credits chosen from 300/400 level courses. |
12 |
|
Total Credits |
30 |
* Criminology Majors taking CRIM 475 must have fourth-year standing and should schedule their classes to allow two free weekdays for working in an agency field placement.
** Completing CRIM 473 requires fourth-year standing and the supervision of a faculty member to be arranged at least one semester in advance of starting the course.
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B. A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and the courses listed below:
|
Years 1 and 2 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
CRIM 101 - (Intro to Criminology) or, |
3 |
|
CRIM 131 - (Intro to the Criminal Justice System) or, |
3 |
|
Two courses from the following list: |
6 |
|
Years 3 and 4 |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Additional eighteen credits of CRIM courses numbered 300 and above with the exception of CRIM 475 which is reserved for CRIM Majors only. |
18 |
Completion Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts, Major or Minor in Criminology, students must successfully complete the degree program with a minimum program cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00. Additionally, students in the Major in Criminology must receive credit for CRIM 475 or CRIM 473 and CRIM 476.
For admission to first-year university courses, see General Admission requirements.
Admission to Criminology Major
Students may apply for admission to the four-year B.A. with a Criminology Major at all years of the degree, however, we normally admit to years one, two, and three of the degree. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for VIU's Bachelor of Arts degree in order to be eligible to apply for the Criminology Major.
For first year entry:
- General admission requirements apply.
- English 12 with minimum "C" or equivalent.
- Foundations of Mathematics 11 or Pre-calculus 11 with minimum "C", or equivalent.
For second year entry:
To be eligible for admission to second year, students must have completed a minimum of 24 credits of university courses towards the Bachelor of Arts Criminology Major program. Competitive admission averages will be calculated on the eight most recently completed transferable post-secondary courses (minimum 24 credits).
For third year entry:
To be eligible for admission to third year, students must have completed a minimum of 54 credits of university courses towards the Bachelor of Arts Criminology Major program or possess a recognized Criminology diploma including completion of the Degree English Requirement. Competitive admission averages will be calculated on the eighteen most recently completed transferable post-secondary courses (minimum 54 credits).
Additional Requirements for Transfer Students:
The overall GPA of students will be a minimum of 2.33 ("C+"), calculated on the most recent 24 credits completed.
Notes on Admission – Criminology Major
Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program and students with higher grades will be considered first.
Applicants will be prioritized by overall Grade Point Average. A wait list will be created if required.
Aboriginal students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
Students who wish to take individual courses without being admitted to the program may do so where space is available and when prerequisites have been completed. Students who take courses in Criminology without being formally admitted into the program are not guaranteed entry into the program.
Notes on Progression - Criminology Major
- During the semester when Criminology Majors take CRIM 475, students must schedule their classes to allow two free weekdays for working in an agency field placement.
Domestic Fees | International Fees
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for One Year* |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit) |
4,992.00 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) |
199.68 |
|
Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit) |
220.50 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) |
220.80 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year |
1,500.00 |
|
Total |
7,397.98 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees for One Year* |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester) |
23,993.10 |
|
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) |
926.80 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) |
220.80 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) |
265.00 |
|
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year |
1,500.00 |
|
Total |
26,905.70 |
Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
UpdatedDomestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2025 |
Oct 1, 2024 to Jul 31, 2025
|
Nanaimo
|
|
|
Next Intake(s)
Application Fee
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications
No
Admissions Assistant
Name: Nic Ismirnioglou Chair Contact
Name: Scott Brodie Documentation Deadline
Offers of admission will be made on the following basis: first qualified, first offered. Students are encouraged to submit their official interim transcripts showing grades for their Fall term and enrolment or grades for the Spring (January term) as soon as possible to qualify for early admission. Final Grades for both first year and third year entry are required by: July 31, 2025 Comments
|
|||
International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2025 |
Oct 1, 2024 to Apr 28, 2025
|
Nanaimo
|
|
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Next Intake(s)
Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
No
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Co Chair Contact
Name: Scott Brodie International Admissions Officer Contact
Name: Nicolas Ismirnioglou Comments
Enrolment for this program is limited and applicants who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be offered admission to the program. Students interested in the Criminology diploma must apply to the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology. Students who have completed a total of 60 credits and all first and second year requirements for the Criminology Major may apply to receive a Criminology Diploma. For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
|||
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.
B-CRIM (third year) applicants will be encouraged to apply by January 31, 2025.
Note: Canadian Indigenous students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students (see Notes on Admission).
Students interested in the Criminology diploma must apply to the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology. Students who have completed a total of 60 credits and all first and second year requirements for the Criminology Major may apply to receive a Criminology Diploma.