Master of Arts Criminology in Canada at UOttawa Canada

Program Overview for Master of Arts Criminology in Canada:

The Department of Criminology offers postgraduate courses, earning a Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Criminology is dedicated to the scientific analysis of crime, justice, and social control. It focuses on four general themes: normative social construction and the concept of crime; criminalization of specific behaviors, individuals, and groups in our society; analysis of the objectives and operations of the criminal justice system; and examination of contemporary forms of intervention.

Master's Program

The master's program consists of three distinct 30 unit options: 

• Option with thesis (30 units). In addition to the three mandatory courses, thematic theoretical and methodological competencies are acquired using a thesis and three elective courses.
• Option with thesis and field placement (30 units). It can be offered at the first semester to students in the thesis option if field placement places are available. No direct entry in this option. In addition to the mandatory core courses, the acquisition of thematic theoretical and methodological competencies is achieved utilizing a thesis (120 pages), a field placement seminar, and a field placement of 360 hours in an environment that responds to the student's learning interests. 
• Option with a major research paper (24 units). In addition to the two mandatory courses, thematic theoretical and methodological competencies are acquired utilizing a major research project (50 pages) and four elective courses.
• Option with courses (24 units) comprising two profiles: courses only or courses and field placement. In addition to the two compulsory courses, the acquisition of thematic theoretical skills is made either through 6 optional courses (courses only profile) or through 3 elective courses, field placement, and field placement seminar (courses and field placement profile). The field placement is 360 hours in a field environment responding to the student’s learning interests.

These three options are intended to equip students with knowledge of the major theoretical and methodological frameworks in criminology so that they will be able to critically analyze them and apply this knowledge to describe and explain conceptual and empirical problems of crime, justice, and social control, both within the framework of optional courses or of an internship seminar with an on-site internship.

The department also offers a collaborative program in Women’s Studies at the MA level. This multidisciplinary program aims to combine graduate studies in a particular discipline with the feminist approach and the problems developed in women's studies. The degree awarded is a master's degree in criminology with a "specialization in women's studies."  

Finally, regarding the thesis option, the department offers the possibility of acquiring a double degree in criminology (DDC), combining the first year of studies at Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Belgium with the second year of study at the University of Ottawa (U of O). Students graduating from the DDC will thus be awarded a diploma from both universities, a master of arts in criminology from U of O, and a master's degree in criminology from UCL.

The eligibility for Master of Arts Criminology in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

• Students must hold a Bachelor's degree with a major in Criminology or equivalent with a minimum average of 75% (B+).
• Their previous studies must have included CRM 3334 and CRM 3335 or equivalent. If not, they will have to take them as additional courses during their first term in the MA program.
• Students who don’t hold a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Criminology or equivalent can demonstrate relevant work experience of 2 years or more by submitting a paper of approximately 300 words detailing the relevance of this professional experience for this program. This document must be added to program application requirements.
• Only the option with Major Research Paper and the option with courses, only courses profile, are open to part-time students.

Students interested in the double degree option with the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium must mention their interest in their motivation letter as part of their application. Students must also send an email confirming their interest in the double degree option at the following email address: scsgrad@uOttawa.ca at the time of application.

Other Documents Required:

• Letter of Intent: One page typed written statement of interest (approximately 250-300 words, single-spaced in 12 point font) that describes the research interests of the applicant (both in the general sense and in the specific sense of what s/he might wish to pursue as a research endeavor) and how and why Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa is a good fit to undertake this research. Please identify if your preference is the thesis with the field placement, and explain your motivation in this regard. Please note that we have one selection process that is independent of the program chosen in criminology. Therefore, only one application is necessary to the Master’s program in Criminology.
• Resume required
• Please note that non-required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved, or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.
• Recommendation Letter (2)

The Qualifying Program

If the student has an Honours degree in a related field (e.g., sociology, psychology, law, social work, political science, history, philosophy) but is considered to have insufficient training in the theoretical and methodological traditions of the criminological discipline, the student may be offered a qualifying year involving up to 24 units to render the student eligible to pursue studies in the Master's program.

To complete the qualifying year, the student must pass all courses (passing grade is C+) and have an average of B+. It is necessary to submit a new application, during the qualifying year, for admission to the Master's program to be considered. The student will receive an offer of admission to the Master's program, which will be conditional on the successful completion of the qualifying year.

These are the test eligibilities for the Master of Arts Criminology to qualify.

The international student tuition fees and costs for Master of Arts Criminology in Canada.

To be eligible for the differential tuition fee exemption you must:

• be admitted to a program of studies offered only in French OR
• have a secondary or postsecondary diploma in French attesting to a minimum of two years of study, and for programs that offer compulsory courses in both official languages (English and French), enroll for the compulsory courses offered in French

The differential tuition fee exemption cannot be combined with the Education Bursary for International Master’s Students or the International Doctoral Scholarship.