Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree

A four-year, 124-credit program which provides for advanced study beyond the Criminal Justice diploma program. Specifically, the program prepares students for front-line jobs after two years, but it also provides them with the opportunity beyond that (within an additional two years of study) to acquire a liberal arts orientation and the research skills, knowledge base, and analytical ability necessary for graduate studies and advanced career opportunities in the criminal justice field. This program will be of interest to people already working in the criminal justice field who seek supervisory positions, and to those who ultimately seek careers in the areas of criminal investigation, national security, evaluation research, crime prevention, offender case management (including probation and parole), and criminal law.

Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree with minor or extended minor in another discipline

Students who choose to combine their BA in Criminal Justice with a minor or extended minor in another discipline (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, History, Geography, English) must complete all the requirements of the BA in Criminal Justice and all the discipline requirements of the minor or extended minor. If you are interested in pursuing this option, contact the Advising Centre to discuss your program plan.

Entrance requirements

All applicants must:

Undergo an initial security clearance check and further checks as may be required in individual courses. (Please do not submit until requested.)
Provide a statement from a physician as evidence of good health as may be required in individual courses. (Please do not submit until requested.)
Attend an orientation session during which criminal justice faculty present an overview of the options available and career opportunities in criminal justice. Students will be contacted regarding the orientation process.

Option 1: High school (for students with high school graduation only)

B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
A minimum of a B average in the following: English 12 (see Note) and two other Approved Grade 12 courses.
Note: English 12 equivalent courses include English 12 First Peoples, English Literature 12, AP English, and IB English A (standard level or higher level).
Prerequisite to or completion of CMNS 125, CMNS 155, or ENGL 105. Acceptance will be conditional upon proof of having met this entrance requirement. Applicants are encouraged to submit proof as soon as it is available and prior to registering.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

Entry into the Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree program will be a competitive process. The following are the minimum requirements for consideration of entry into the degree program. Students who do not meet these minimum requirements for the degree program might consider enrolling in either the Criminal Justice diploma or Qualifying Studies, depending on their CGPA or high school requirements.

Prerequisite to or completion of CMNS 125, CMNS 155, or ENGL 105. Applicants are encouraged to submit proof as soon as it is available and prior to registering.
Applicants must have completed, by the end of the fall semester in the application period, one of the following:

A minimum of 9 university-level credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.0; or
A minimum of 30 university-level credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from every post-secondary institution you have attended showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.

You will be advised of an admission decision and provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees are due the end of the second week of classes.
In cases where course work is in progress, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements is due the end of the first week in August for the September intake.

Basis for admission decision

Direct entry from high school

There are a limited number of seats available in the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program. Acceptance into the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program will be determined through a first-come first-serve basis, assuming entrance requirements are met. Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and application fee have been submitted.

Second-year entry from university

There are a limited number of seats available in the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program. Acceptance into the Criminology and Criminal Justice degree program will therefore be determined through a competitive process that evaluates cumulative GPA. Please note that students must meet the prerequisite to or have completed CMNS 125, CMNS 155, or ENGL 105.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100- $150 per course.

Dates and location

The normal university year is from September through April, with between 15 and 18 credits required in each of the fall and winter semesters. Students enrolled in field practice in any semester (normally requiring two full days per week) would normally take 9 credits in addition to the practicum. Occasionally, courses are challenged for credit, making it possible to complete the program more quickly. Mastery of course objectives must be demonstrated in order to successfully challenge a course; contact the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice for further information.

Program requirements

Upon acceptance to the Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) program, and in accordance with the B.C. Government's Criminal Record Review Act, UFV requires all students to complete a criminal record check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. For clarification and more details, please visit the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's website.

Practicum regulations

Acceptance into the BA (Criminal Justice) degree program does not guarantee practicum placement.

The prerequisites for placement in CRIM 281 are:

CGPA of at least 2.67;
CRIM 100, 103, 104, 105, and 265;
CRIM 129 with a grade of B- or better;
one of CMNS 125, 155, or ENGL 105 or higher;
the ability to pass a criminal record check; and
departmental approval.

The prerequisites for placement in CRIM 480 are:

CGPA of at least 2.67;
CRIM 281, 310, 311, 320, and 335;
the ability to pass a criminal record check; and
departmental approval.

Students must complete 200 hours of practicum work in each of CRIM 281 and CRIM 480.

Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) students who do not meet the prerequisites for the practicum must take two additional CRIM electives (two 200 level CRIM electives for CRIM 281 and two 400-level (400-419) CRIM electives for CRIM 480).

Students who did not qualify for CRIM 281 but subsequently qualify for CRIM 480 must complete CRIM 480.

The Career Development Coordinator will work collaboratively with each student to identify practicum sites that respond to individual learning interests and that provide criminal justice learning opportunities.

Practicums are offered throughout the region of the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver, although other placement sites may be considered. Students are responsible for transportation to and from practicum sites. Students are also responsible for maintaining suitable personal appearance.

The BA (Criminal Justice) degree program must approve any agency or institution that provides placements for student practicums, and reserves the right to change any placement assigned to a student. The student has the right to be informed in writing of the reasons for any change in placement. While the program accepts the responsibility to provide a sufficient number of practicum opportunities to serve the needs of all registered students, a student may be required to withdraw from a practicum course if none of the available practicum agencies will accept that particular student.

Undergraduate continuance

Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

For assistance, please contact criminfo@ufv.ca.

Required to withdraw

Students who have been Required to Withdraw from UFV under the Undergraduate Continuance policy (92) are subject to re-admission and continuance requirements as listed in the UFV academic calendar. Students are normally only readmitted once to the same program.

Re-taking courses

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice does not approve challenge requests from students who are asking to re-take a Criminology/Criminal Justice course. These students must register in, and complete the requirements for, a regularly timetabled section of the course.

Duplication of courses

Duplication refers to taking a course more than once. No more than five duplications will be permitted on courses which apply to the BA (Criminal Justice) Degree. A “W” or an “AU” in a course is not counted as a course duplication.

Students with more than five course duplications will not be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree.

Auditing courses

Course audits will be governed by the UFV’s Course Audit Policy (108).

Prerequisites

A prerequisite is a requirement which must be met before a student enters a course or program. A D grade does not, unless stated otherwise, meet a prerequisite requirement. Students who do not have the stated prerequisite courses may not register in a course having these requirements without the permission of the instructor.

Transfer credit

At least 25% of the course work must be completed at UFV. However, students must complete at least 50% of the upper-level Criminology/Criminal Justice credits required for the degree and minor and extended minor at UFV.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

You may be able to obtain credit for prior learning through evaluation of previous studies or learning through experience after you have completed 30 credits in the diploma program. Contact the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice for further information.

Course withdrawal deadlines

Course withdrawal deadlines follow UFV's Course Withdrawal policy (81).

Graduation

It is the student's responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with a Criminal Justice Program Advisor. A minimum program and CGPA of 2.0 is required to graduate. Please note that students with more than five course duplications will not be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree.

Candidates who qualify to receive a UFV degree must be approved by the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Senate. Students must apply for graduation by completing the Graduation Request form available at ufv.ca/admissions, or from the Office of the Registrar. We recommend this be done in the first month of the final semester. The final
deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30 of each year.

Program outline

Lower-level requirements

Semester I (see Notes)

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 100	Introduction to Criminology	3
CRIM 103	Introduction to the Criminal Justice System	3
CRIM 129	Academic and Professional Development	3
Elective	Any 100- or 200-level non-criminology course	3
SOC 101	Introductory Sociology	3

Semester II

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 104	Sociological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour	3
CRIM 105	Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour	3
PSYC 102	Introduction to Psychology II (see Note 3)	3
Elective	CRIM (see Note 4)	3
CMNS 125	Introduction to Workplace Communication	3
or CMNS 155	Introduction to Workplace and Academic Communication
or ENGL 105	Academic Writing

Semester III

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 240	Comparative Criminal Justice Systems	3
or CRIM 251	Law Enforcement in Canada
or CRIM 252	Corrections in Canada
CRIM 265	Problem Management Skills for Criminal Justice Interventions	3
Elective	CRIM (see Note 4)	3
Elective	Arts (UFV) 200-level or higher (non-criminology)	3
CMNS 251	Professional Report Writing	3
or ENGL 120–170 or higher

Semester IV

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 220	Research Methods in Criminology	3
CRIM 230	Criminal Law	3
CRIM 281	Field Work Practicum	6
POSC 110	Canadian Politics	3
Total		60

Note 1: It is recommended that students planning on completing a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree complete their science requirement in the first two years of the program.

Note 2: Students wanting a Criminal Justice diploma must also complete CRIM 201, and one of CRIM 202 or CRIM 203. CRIM 201 and CRIM 202 cannot be taken concurrently.

Note 3: Students who have successfully completed PSYC 101 prior to acceptance do not need to complete PSYC 102.

Note 4: CRIM electives include: CRIM 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 250, 251, and 252.

Note 5: Students should plan their 100- and 200-level electives to ensure they will have the necessary prerequisites for the required 300- and 400-level non-criminology electives.

Upper-level requirements

Note: Students must have a minimum program CGPA of 2.0 in order to continue into upper level.

Semester V

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 310	Advanced Theoretical Perspectives	3
CRIM 321	Qualitative Research Methods	4
CRIM 330	Criminal Procedure and Evidence	3
STAT 104	Introductory Statistics	4
Elective Science: Any Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 100-level or higher, or GEOG 103 (formerly GEOG 101 or 102) or 116		4

Semester VI

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 311	Multiculturalism, Conflict, and Social Justice	3
CRIM 320	Research Techniques	4
CRIM 335	Human Rights and Civil Liberties	3
Elective	Any 300- or 400-level non-criminology course	3
Elective	Any 300- or 400-leve non-criminology course	3

Semester VII

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 435	Innovations in Canadian Public Safety	3
Elective	One of CRIM 400-419	3
BUS 203	Organizational Behaviour (see Note)	3
Elective	General: Any university-level course	3
Elective Arts: Any one of Art History, History, languages, Visual Arts, Film, PHIL 100 or higher, Theatre, or ENGL 120–170		3

Note: The prerequisite for BUS 203 (BUS 100 or 102) will be waived for Criminal Justice degree reserved seats.

Semester VIII

Course	Title	Credits
CRIM 450	Social Policy Analysis	3
CRIM 480	Field Work Practicum	6
Elective	Any 300- or 400-level non-criminology course	3
Elective	Any one of CRIM 400–419	3
Total		64
Plus lower-level credits		60
Total program credits		124

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.

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Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) degree