Criminology Frequently Asked Questions

PROGRAMME-RELATED QUESTIONS

Q.  What can I do with a degree in Criminology?

A.  There are many career possibilities for students who complete a degree programme in Criminology. Students may pursue careers in the following areas: the Criminal Justice System (e.g., law enforcement, probation and parole or corrections); Canada Customs and Immigration; various community agencies charged with working with youth and adult offenders. Students may also continue on to advanced degrees such as an: L.L.B (Bachelor of Law Degree), B.Ed (Bachelor of Education), and an M.A and Ph.D if they are interested in teaching or research positions. Criminology is a growing area of study with many new career opportunities developing all the time.

Q.  If I want to pursue a degree in criminology which courses do I take in my first year of study?

A.  There are no first year criminology courses. Criminology courses begin in the second year. During first year students are required to take two sociology/anthropology courses 48-101 and either 48-102 or 49-112. Students also need to ensure that meet the programme requirements as set out by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (see Calendar for details).

Q.  When do I apply for admission to the criminology programme?

A.  Although criminology courses begin in the second year it is not until third year that students are admitted to the Criminology Programme. Entry shall be for the Fall term only. Students are eligible to apply for entry into the Criminology and Combined Honours in Criminology Programme only after completing twenty, but no more than thirty courses. In particular, applicants must have successfully completed the following courses: 48-101, 48-102, 48-202, 48-260, 48-262 and either 34-129 or 34-226. Students interested in being admitted to the Criminology and Combined Honours in Criminology Programme must fill out and submit an application Applications and information sheets are available at the Office of the Registrar and must be returned to that office by May 1st. No late applications will be accepted. Decisions will be rendered by June 1st, with notification shortly thereafter.

Q.  Is everyone who applies to the programme admitted into it?

A.  No. Admission to the Criminology Degree Programme and any double major programme involving criminology as one of the majors is extremely competitive. Criteria for admission is a minimum of an 8.0 GPA (Grade Point Average). Students meeting the minimum requirement, however, are not guaranteed admission to the programme. Places in the programme are awarded to those 100 applicants with the highest GPAs. Students who desire to be admitted to the Criminology Programme should therefore strive to obtain the best grade point average (GPA) they can in their first and second years.

Q.  If I don't get accepted into the Criminology Programme when I apply at the end of my second year of study can I reapply at the end of my third year?

A.  Students are eligible to apply for entry into the criminology programme only after completing twenty, but no more than thirty courses. Once students have completed thirty courses they are ineligible for admission to the Criminology Programme. Students who are not successful in gaining admission to the Criminology Programme after completing twenty credits may reapply up until they have completed thirty credits. There are, however, a very limited number of spaces available at this level. Even students who have achieved the minimum GPA are not guaranteed admission. Entry shall be for the Fall term only. Applications and information sheets are available at the Office of the Registrar and must be returned to that office by May 1st. No late applications will be accepted. Decisions will be rendered by June 1st, with notification shortly thereafter.

Q.  If I don't get accepted into the Criminology Programme can I continue to take criminology courses?

A.  Yes, non-criminology students are permitted to take criminology courses with the exception of 48-363 Penology. Enrollment in this course is restricted to those students admitted to the Criminology and Combined Honours in Criminology Programme. Although noncriminology students may take other criminology courses, preference for spaces in fourth year criminology courses will go to those students admitted to the programme. NOTE: ALTHOUGH NON-CRIMINOLOGY DEGREE STUDENTS MAY TAKE CRIMINOLOGY COURSES THEY WILL NOT GRADUATE WITH A CRIMINOLOGY DEGREE. Those students who are not admitted to the Criminology Programme who choose to follow the Criminology degree requirements through fourth year may fail to meet the degree requirements for the programme they are enrolled in. The result being they may then be required to take additional courses in order to graduate.

Q.  If I do not get accepted into the Criminology Programme but fulfill the Criminology Degree requirements can I still receive a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology?

A.  No, only those students who apply to and are admitted to the Criminology and Combined Honours in Criminology Programme are eligible to take 48-363 Penology. This course is one of the degree requirement for both the Criminology and Combined Honours in Criminology Degree.

Q.  If I don't get accepted into the Criminology Programme can I transfer my credits to another degree?

A.  Yes. Course credits are transferable. However, since students must fulfill the course requirements of their new programme of study, there is no guarantee that all course credits may be counted toward the new degree programme. The Sociology degree programme will likely accept the most transfer credits as both the Criminology and Sociology programmes are housed in the same department.

Q.  Once I am admitted to the Criminology Degree Programme do I have to maintain a certain GPA in order to graduate?

A.  Yes. In order to graduate, students must have a major average of B and an overall average of C.

Q.  Can I do a three year degree in criminology?

A.  No. Criminology is only offered as a four year honours degree programme.

Q.  Can I do a minor in criminology?

A.  No. For students wishing to graduate with a criminology related degree they must either study criminology as part of a double major or as an honours degree.

Q.  Can I get a graduate degree in Criminology at the University of Windsor?

A.  Yes. The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology offers a thesis-stream Masters of Arts (M.A.) degree in Criminology.
 

CRIMINOLOGY COURSE QUESTIONS

Q.  How large are the criminology classes?

A.  Criminology classes vary in size. The average class size in second year courses over the past 3 years was 100 students. Third year courses have a maximum of 50 students. Fourth year courses have a maximum of 25 students and are seminar format.

Q.  Is there a written component in all classes?

A.  There is a policy in place that requires all criminology courses to provide students with an opportunity to develop their writing skills. Written assignments can take a variety of forms including: short answer and essay exams questions, take home exams, assignments, and essays.

Q.  Can I take a 4th year criminology course prior to enrolling in my 4th year?

A.  There are a limited number of spaces in the 4th year criminology classes. As these classes are required for students to graduate from the programme, spaces in these courses are reserved for students enrolled in 4th year criminology and the 4th year of the criminology double major. In the rare case when there are spaces remaining in these classes after all 4th year students have been placed, spaces in these courses may be given to 3rd year criminology students and students from other programmes.
 

CRIMINOLOGY FACULTY QUESTIONS

Q.  How many Criminology faculty are there at the University of Windsor?

A. Currently there are 7 faculty members who hold full-time criminology appointments. There are an additional 4 faculty members who split their time between criminology and either sociology, anthropology or labour studies.

Q.  What are the criminology faculty areas of interest?

A.  Criminology faculty interests cover a broad range of general topics/areas including: theory and methods, criminal justice, law and society, penology, policing and political policing, security and security intelligence, victimology, youth justice and deviance. More focused areas of interest include: female violence, policing protests, risk, border security and immigration and refugee policy, sex work, private security regulation and practices; sanctuary practices; gated communities, police-initiated crime prevention programmes, violence and popular culture, media representations of crime and criminal justice, the impact of criminal justice policies on marginalized populations, "victims" and "offenders" in the context of social justice and conflict resolution, and political policing in the context of globalized politics