Criminal Justice Honours (for BA (Criminal Justice) students)
The Honours program provides Criminal Justice students with an opportunity to design and carry out their own research project under the supervision of a faculty member. This program is ideal for students intending to pursue post-baccalaureate programming, such as graduate studies or law school.
Entrance requirements
Once students have completed 90 credits (approximately three full years of study) of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.33 in all courses required for program completion and a minimum grade of B+ in each of CRIM 220, CRIM 320, and CRIM 310, they are eligible to apply for entry into the Criminal Justice Honours program.
Interested students are encouraged to seek out information and advice on the honours program from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice faculty and/or Program Advisor as early as possible in their coursework, and to apply to the honours program at the earliest possible entry date.
When to apply
Applications must be received by May 15 for a September start date, or September 15 for a January start date for honours studies.
How to apply
Students will need to provide the following to the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Program Advisor:
A Criminal Justice Honours program application form (available from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Program Advisor or online at ufv.ca/criminology), signed by the faculty supervisor.
A copy of their transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).
A 300–500 word statement outlining their research topic.
Students should speak to potential faculty supervisors in advance of applying to the honours program and should have their supervisor sign their application form. Students can contact the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Director for guidance on selecting a faculty supervisor.
Program requirements
The honours can be completed within the 121 or 122 credits of the Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree. As part of these credits, honours students must complete CRIM 490 (Honours Thesis Development) and CRIM 491 (Honours Project) consecutively. These courses are primarily student-driven, though the student and faculty supervisor are expected to meet on a regular basis throughout the semester. During these courses, students will design and complete a research project. See the course descriptions for more details.
Review and continuance
Prior to enrolling in CRIM 491 (Honours Project), each honours student will need to meet with their honours supervisor to assess their progress in the program and ensure preparedness for data collection. At this time, students should submit updated transcripts to their supervisor for review. Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.33 in their final year of study.
Graduation requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree, successful completion of a research project and honours thesis is required prior to graduation with an honours designation. The honours research project, which will be developed in consultation with a faculty supervisor, will demonstrate students' skill and knowledge in a given area of criminology and criminal justice. The research project will be designed during CRIM 490 and carried out in the subsequent semester in CRIM 491.
Honours students are expected to present their thesis research in one of several settings; students are encouraged to present the findings of their research at a professional or university conference, at UFV's Student Research Day, or in another academic venue. Alternative presentation arrangements may be made in consultation with the honours supervisor.
Students will receive a letter grade, recommended by their supervisor, for each of CRIM 490 and CRIM 491 based on their successful design and completion of a research project. A minimum GPA of 3.33 in CRIM 490 and CRIM 491 must be met to graduate with an honours designation.
