BA in Criminology in Nanaimo Canada | Vancouver Island University

Develop your critical thinking, legal analysis, project management, communication, conflict resolution, research, and analytical abilities through VIU's Criminology program.

Criminology is a vibrant, evolving discipline that examines the social and psychological influences behind criminal behavior and its societal impacts. Those passionate about current affairs, psychology, and social justice will thrive in our Criminology degree program.

Graduates pursue diverse careers within the justice system, government agencies, and private organizations, including roles as bailiffs, correctional officers, court reporters, criminal investigators, legal assistants, parole officers, police officers, researchers, victim services specialists, and more. Explore additional career paths on the Criminology program's careers webpage.

In their final year, Criminology majors can choose between completing an applied research project or participating in a field placement.
Criminology is an interdisciplinary field studying legal systems, crime patterns, causes of deviant behavior, and societal responses to law violations. The curriculum covers criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and judicial rulings. Students explore the three pillars of criminal justice—law enforcement, judicial systems, and corrections—while analyzing crime trends related to age, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic factors. The program incorporates perspectives from various social sciences and humanities disciplines.

This program equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills for careers requiring legal-justice expertise. Professional development focuses on ethical practice, conflict resolution, information technology for research, data presentation, and collaborative work. Senior students may opt for either a research project or field experience.

While emphasizing justice-related topics, the degree's competencies—including research, project management, legal interpretation, and communication—are equally valuable in private sector roles.

Prospective students can apply for the B.A. with a Major in Criminology, with competitive admission requirements. The Minor option complements other disciplines, offering foundational knowledge in criminological theory, Canadian law, and justice systems. Upper-level courses (excluding CRIM 475 Field Placement) allow specialization or broad exploration of criminological topics. Minors require a minimum 2.00 GPA for completion.