About Criminology (MA)

Our dynamic and engaging Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology program provides you with a critical analysis, theoretical and methodological training opportunities, and substantive knowledge on topics relevant to criminology and criminal justice. These topics can include but are not limited to culture, crime and policy, comparative and international criminology and criminal justice, policing, and media criminology.

Through course seminars and research opportunities, you will work with a variety of faculty with a diverse range of research interests related to criminology. Watch our video series to learn more about our Criminology program.

• Graduate Student Experience
• Learning Experiences 
• Mentorship and Connections

Justice, Crime and Deviance Conference

The graduate Criminology Student Association has created and managed a Justice, Crime and Deviance Regional Graduate Research and Networking conference. This conference has attracted participation from across Canada and provides an ideal opportunity for research and professionalization networking.

One-Year Coursework Master's Stream

The 12-month coursework stream will be completed in three consecutive terms. You will be required to complete four required courses, as well as four additional elective courses offered by Laurier.

The program provides you with advanced coursework in the field that equips you with the skills necessary to locate, evaluate and synthesize existing evidence-based research, as well as develop leadership, analytical and research skills. The competencies acquired from this program will prepare you for applied work in the field, as well as the skills required to be a professional social researcher in private or public enterprise.

Two-Year Master's Thesis Stream

In the two-year, research-intensive thesis-based stream, you are required to complete four courses and a thesis. This stream will equip you with the skills and competencies necessary to conduct original research. Your thesis is a chance to conduct original research and data collection on an approved topic. They are typically about 100 pages long, and you will graduate after defending your thesis to a panel of experts. An advisory committee consisting of a faculty supervisor and a faculty committee member will work closely with you in supervising the research and writing the paper.

Faculty Specializations 

As a small program, we offer you the opportunity to work closely with our faculty in a engaged learning environment. You will be provided mentorship in research and teaching, and be presented opportunities for supporting your professional development. Our faculty study a diverse array of phenomena, including, but not limited to, the following areas of specialization.

• International Crime and Justice
• Media Criminology
• Culture, Crime and Policy
• Policing
• Social deviance
• Restorative justice
• Mental health and crime
• Sociology of law

Centre for Research on Security Practices

The Laurier Centre for Research on Security Practices (CRSP) examines human security through the perspectives of both those who engage in security practices and those who encounter them, particularly among marginalized and underserved communities. The research produced at the CRSP contributes to scholarly discussions and informs policy, practice, and social change. CRSP provides criminology masters students with hands-on learning and research mentoring opportunities through research assistantships, public lectures and training workshops.

Recent Theses

• "Policing and Fatherhood Identities: A Gendered Analysis of the Work and Home Experiences of Police Fathers Before and During COVID-19,” Danielle Thompson (2021).
• "COVID-19 and the Correctional Environment: An Analysis of Canadian Correctional Officers' Experiences of Stress and Wellbeing During the Pandemic,” Kristina Kocsis (2021).
• “Corporate and Occupational Crime Themes in Film,” Jacob Kavoukis (2022).
• “Divest or Disband? A social problems game analysis of Canadian media coverage of 2020’s defund the police movement,” Nicholas Fappiano (2022).
• “Loose Coupling, Burden Shuffling, and Pervasive Penalty: The Role of Bylaw Enforcement in Managing Homelessness,” Natasha Martino (2022).
• “Fifth-Dimensional Warfare and National Security in Canada: Situating Microdeviation Theory Within C-59: An Act Respecting National Security Matters,” Hayden Slight (2022)

Required Courses

• CC601: Qualitative Fieldwork into the Study of Deviance
• CC602: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• CC603: Theories of Crime and Crime Control
• CC606: Research and Professionalization Seminar

Electives

The Criminology program offers several different courses that reflect the research expertise of its faculty and are offered on a rotating basis. These include subjects like Comparative Youth Justice, Penology, Deviance and Diversity, and Contemporary Issues in Crime and Media. An up-to-date list of elective Criminology MA courses is available at Laurier’s Graduate Academic Calendar.

In addition to required coursework, you must also complete two electives. Course descriptions can be found on the Criminology course offerings page. With the approval of the graduate coordinator, you may take up to three courses offered by another master’s program at Laurier. In addition, you may also arrange, in exceptional circumstances, to take one of your courses as a directed studies course under the supervision of an individual professor with the approval of the graduate coordinator.

• Start: Fall (September)
• Format: Full-time
• Application deadline:
  
  • Thesis: March 30 (international applicants), May 15 (domestic applicants).
  • Coursework: March 30 (international applicants), May 15 (domestic applicants).
  • We will continue to accept applications after this date, until such time as the program is full.