Criminology, Applied (Bachelor of Arts)

CRIM 3345 (Criminology Practicum) is offered once annually in the winter semester. Students must contact the Practicum Coordinator by August 31st to be eligible for registration.

Overview

Launch your criminal justice career with the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Criminology. Whether your goal is to prevent crime in your community, provide legal services to new immigrants or refugees, become a lawyer, or police, parole or probation officer and more, you’ll get the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to make you a top contender both in the job market and for grad school.

What can a Criminology degree do for you?

Demand for graduates with a criminology degree is high – and that demand is even higher for grads with applied skills in areas such as crime prevention, risk assessment, demographic research, crisis intervention and conflict de-escalation.  

Get work experience – before you graduate

With the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Criminology, you’ll cultivate these applied skills and have opportunities to strengthen them through work placements with the Vancouver Police Department, private security companies and other agencies. You’ll graduate with 100 hours of work experience in the criminal justice field – giving you a leg up over the competition for jobs.  

Concentrations

In the third and fourth years of the degree, you'll complete an applied specialization in one of the following areas

  • Community and Institutional Practice - launch a career in probation, parole or institutional corrections
  • Crime Analysis and Prevention- lay the groundwork for careers in policing, security management, community crime prevention and more.
  • Legal Studies - qualify for positions with agencies overseeing government regulations or that provide legal services, advocacy, policy analysis and more.
Graduate studies 

The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Criminology degree and Honours degree are recognized by Simon Fraser University for graduate school. We recommend that students who plan to attend graduate school complete the Honours degree option. Both Douglas credentials are also recognized by law schools at the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria.

Program Requirements

Curriculum Framework

Graduation Requirements:

In addition to the 60 credits of first and second year coursework required for admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Criminology, students must complete an additional 60 credits of university transferable coursework comprising:

A. five required upper level core Criminology courses;

B. five upper level Criminology or Legal Studies electives including the completion of CRIM 3345 (Criminology Practicum) (or designated equivalent);

C. five courses in one of the applied Concentrations in Criminology (or designated equivalent); and

D. five lower or upper level university transferable electives (Preferably Non-Criminology Courses).

E. In addition, students must also complete a "portfolio" to be reviewed and approved by a faculty member in the Criminology Department prior to graduation.

Important: At least 25% (30 credits) of all course work and 25% (12 credits) of upper level credits must be completed at Douglas College. University transferable courses must transfer to one of the five Research Universities - SFU, UBC, UBC-O, UNBC or UVIC.

*See below for additional details regarding graduation requirements

 

A. The five required core Criminology courses are:

1. CRIM 3310 (Advanced Theoretical Perspectives)

2. CRIM 3325 (Qualitative Research Methods) or PSYC 3300 (Applied Intermediate Research Methods and Data Analysis) or PSYC 3301 (Applied Organizational Research Methods)

3. CRIM 3340 (Problem Solving and Interventions in Criminal Justice)

4. CRIM 3355 (Indigenous Peoples: Crime and Administration of Justice)

5. CRIM 4420 (Media, Crime, and Law)

 

B. In addition, students must complete five electives in upper level Criminology, Legal Studies, or related coursework/substitutions including the completion of CRIM 3345 (Criminology Practicum) or another suitable practicum or field experience course. CRIM 3345 is offered once annually, and spans the Winter and Summer semesters, providing students with opportunities to gain valuable work experience in the criminal justice field. Students interested in completing CRIM 3345 (Criminology Practicum) must contact the Practicum Coordinator during the Fall semester, leading up to the expected Winter registration and commencement. To be eligible for enrolment in CRIM 3345, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of CRIM 2140 (Interviewing and Professional Skills)

2. Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Criminology program

3. Approval from the Practicum Coordinator by the specified application date (usually Fall semester prior to Winter registration).

Note: CRIM 3345 has restricted enrolment that must be completed in person with the Practicum Coordinator. Only those students who meet all requirements will be eligible to enrol. Preference will be given to students who are closest to completing their BAACRIM degree requirements.

 

C. In addition, students must complete a minimum of five upper level courses in one Concentration to receive recognition upon graduation. Though students may take courses across multiple areas of interest, only one Concentration will be noted on your transcript when you graduate.

 

Concentration in Community and Institutional Practice

CRIM 3335 (Human Rights and Civil Liberties)

CRIM 3356 (The Female Offender)

CRIM 3370 (Sex Offenders and Sexual Offences)

CRIM 3375 (Correctional Practice and Policy)

CRIM 3376 (Restorative Justice)

CRIM 4410 (Mental Disorder and Law)

CRIM 4460 (Victimization)

CRIM 4510 Special Topics in Community and Institutional Practice

PHIL 3320 (Ethics)

PSYC 3333 (Cultural Competence and Counselling with Indigenous Peoples)

PSYC 3340 (Cultural Psychology)

PSYC 3341 (Drugs and Behaviour)

PSYC 3342 (Developmental Psychopathology)

SOCI 3385 (Social Control and Surveillance)

SOSC 3399 (Directed Studies in Social Sciences)

SOSC 4301 (Program Evaluation)

 

Concentration in Crime Analysis and Prevention

CRIM 3362 (Criminal Procedure & Evidence)

CRIM 3380 (Organized Crime)

CRIM 3385 (Community Crime Prevention)

CRIM 3390 (Crime and Intelligence Analysis)

CRIM 4440 (Policing and Community)

CRIM 4460 (Victimization)

CRIM 4480 (Forensic Sciences)

CRIM 4490 (Human Death Investigations)

CRIM 4520 Special Topics in Crime Analysis and Prevention

CSIS 4150 (Digital Forensics)

GEOG 3361 (Urban Geography)

SOCI 3385 (Social Control & Surveillance)

SOSC 3399 (Directed Studies in Social Sciences)

SOSC 4301 (Program Evaluation)

 

Concentration in Legal Studies

CRIM 3320 (Environmental Criminology and Law)

CRIM 3335 (Human Rights and Civil Liberties)

CRIM 3362 (Criminal Procedure & Evidence)

CRIM 3365 (Cybercrime)

CRIM 4470 (Gambling)

CRIM 4410 (Mental Disorder and Law)

CRIM 4530 (Special Topics in Legal Studies)

BLAW 3750 (Human Resources Law)

BLAW 3760 (Labour Relations)

LGST 3310 (Sex, Love, Relationships and Law)

LGST 3320 (Immigration Law)

LGST 3330 (Indigenous Peoples and Law)

PHIL 3320 (Ethics)

BUSN 4490 (Applied Legal and Business Ethics) 

PHIL 3330 (Philosophy of Law)

PSYC 3314 (Psychology and Law)

SOSC 3399 (Directed Studies in Social Sciences)

 

Students taking the Legal Studies Concentration are also required to take the following courses in order to graduate:

LGST 1110 (Legal Research and Reasoning)

LGST 1120 (Legal Process and Remedies)

LGST 2210 (Private Law)

LGST 2220 (Public Law)

 

D. Students must also complete any five lower or upper level university transferable courses. These electives are meant to help students broaden their knowledge. It is suggested that students explore Political Science, Geography, History, English, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Environmental Studies, Geology, Business, Languages, Computing Science, and/or other areas of interest.

 

E. Portfolio Requirements for Graduation

Lastly, students are also required to compile and complete a "portfolio" before graduation, to be reviewed and approved by a faculty member in the Criminology Department. This portfolio will outline and describe four (4) professional development activities that the student has completed over the course of their degree, as well as a current and complete resume. Each contribution to the student’s professional development should be written up as follows for inclusion in the portfolio:

• 1 page maximum per activity

• Name of activity/workshop/course/lecture

• Date (if applicable)

• Written description of the activity

• Written analysis of how the activity has enhanced the student’s professional development

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

  • General College Admission Requirements
  • Completion of 60 credits with the following:
    • A two year Liberal Arts or Science Diploma or Associate Arts (or equivalent) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Douglas College's Criminology and Legal Studies diplomas meet this requirement
    • Completion of the following courses (or equivalent):
      • CRIM 1100 (Introduction to the Criminal Justice System)
      • CRIM 1150 (Introduction to Criminology)
      • CRIM 1160 (The Canadian Legal System)
      • CRIM 2140 (Interviewing and Professional Behaviour)
      • CRIM 2254 (Research Methods in Criminology)
      • CRIM 2260 (Criminal Law)
      • One of CRIM 1120 (Introduction to Policing) or CRIM 1170 (Introduction to Corrections)
      • One of CRIM 2251 (Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour) or CRIM 2252 (Sociological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour)
      • One of PSYC 2300 (Data Analysis in Psychology), GEOG 2251 (Quantitative Methods in Geography) or MATH 1160 (Introduction to Statistics)

 

Cost

You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

FAQs

Yes, most criminology courses are open to all Douglas College students. However, each course has specific pre-requisites and/or credit requirements that you must meet in order to enrol in the course.

While there are core Criminology courses you must take, you must also complete non-criminology electives to help broaden your knowledge. Students should take courses in a wide variety of areas such as Political Science, Geography, History, English, Sociology, Philosophy, Environmental Studies, Geology, and other non-crime related areas of interest.  

Yes, it is possible if you successfully complete 10 courses a year. For example, a student might decide to complete 4 fall classes, 4 winter classes, and 2 summer classes per year. You may also need to take day or night classes or travel to both campuses depending on course offerings and the availability of seats. Please remember that fewer course options are often offered during the summer semester, and that some upper level courses are offered less frequently during the year, so plan your course schedule accordingly.

We offer multiple sections for many first and second year courses. However, for some upper level courses we may offer only one section per year. The majority of courses are offered in fall and winter, while a smaller selection of courses is offered over the summer.

Currently, most Criminology courses are offered face-to-face at both New Westminster and Coquitlam campuses. A few courses are also offered on-line. 

Yes, you could start to take courses toward your concentration depending on course offerings and the availability of seats. 

Yes, a number of courses will transfer as equivalent courses into the Douglas College BA in Applied Criminology. Courses that do not transfer as equivalent can often be used as general or criminology specific electives. You can check the BC Transfer Guide for transferability.   

If you have an old Douglas College GPA you will continue building upon it once you return to the college. However, if you transfer here from another institution your GPA will not transfer, but your credits will. 

You will have input into selecting your practicum placement, but you will also be working with the practicum coordinator. Practicum placement depends on student qualifications, experiences, and the availability of positions.   

 Email crimcoordinator@douglascollege.ca with any questions. 

Testimonials

Criminology quote

Cracking the human mind

Criminology student fascinated by what makes people tick.
Read More