A Dynamic and Engaged Program

Our two-year Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology program is a research-intensive program that develops expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Our program provides methodological and theoretical training and knowledge as well as professionalization in the field of criminology and criminal justice.

Through course seminars and thesis research, you will be provided with critical analysis and knowledge on topics relevant to criminology and criminal justice, such as:

• culture, crime and policy
• comparative and international criminology and criminal justice
• policing
• media criminology

Master's Thesis

As part of the program, you will complete a thesis in which you engage in original research on an approved topic. You will register in the thesis course (CC699) in the spring term of your first year and continue to register in the CC699 thesis course until the defence of the thesis has been completed. You must be registered for CC699 for the term in which the defence takes place.

Typically, the thesis will be between 90 and 110 pages in length. An advisory committee consisting of a faculty supervisor and a faculty committee member will oversee the completion of the thesis. The supervisor will work closely with you in supervising the research and writing of the paper.

You will normally begin working on the early stages of your thesis proposal in CC606: Research and Professionalization Seminar. You will complete your MA thesis proposal in the spring term of your first year and may commence data collection if the proposal is approved by the thesis advisory committee.

Research Focus

• International crime and justice
• Media criminology
• Culture, crime and policy
• Policing
• Social deviance
• Restorative justice
• Mental health and crime
• Sociology of law

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.

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. CRSP researchers conduct high-quality research that contributes to scholarly discussions and informs policy, practice, and social change. Further, 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).

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

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 one course offered by another master’s program at Laurier. In addition, you may also arrange, in exceptional circumstances, to take one of their courses as a directed studies course under the supervision of an individual professor with the approval of the graduate coordinator.

With approval from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the host university, one course may be taken from a criminology graduate program of another recognized university in Ontario under the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student plan.

• Start: Fall (September)
• Format: Full-time
• Application deadline:
  
  • International applicants. Please note the portal for international applications is currently closed. 
  • Domestic applicants August 15.
  • We will continue to accept applications after this date, until such time as the program is full.