Master of Arts - Criminology (Thesis)

The department of Criminology offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminology.

Criminology is devoted to the scientific analysis of crime, justice and social control. It focuses on four broad questions: the social construction of norms and the notion of crime; the criminalization of specific behaviours, individuals and groups in the society; the analysis of the goals and functioning of the criminal justice system; and the examination of contemporary forms of intervention.

The master's program consists of three distinct 30 unit options: • Option with thesis (30 units). In addition to the three mandatory courses, the acquisition of thematic theoretical and methodological competencies is achieved by means of a thesis and three elective courses. • Option with thesis and field placement (30 units). It can be offered at the first semester to students in the thesis option if field placement places are available. No direct entry in this option. In addition to the mandatory core courses, the acquisition of thematic theoretical and methodological competencies is achieved by means of a thesis (120 pages), a field placement seminar and a field placement of 360 hours in an environment that responds to the learning interests of the student. • Option with major research paper (24 units). In addition to the two mandatory courses, the acquisition of thematic theoretical and methodological competencies is achieved by means of a major research project (50 pages) and four elective courses. • Option with courses (24 units) comprising two profiles: courses only or courses and field placement. In addition to the two compulsory courses, the acquisition of thematic theoretical skills is done either through 6 optional courses (courses only profile) or through 3 elective courses, field placement and field placement seminar (courses and field placement profile). The field placement is 360 hours in a field environment responding to the student’s learning interests.

These three options are intended to equip students with knowledge of the major theoretical and methodological frameworks in criminology so that they will be able to critically analyze them and apply this knowledge to describe and explain conceptual and empirical problems of crime, justice and social control, both within the framework of optional courses or of an internship seminar with an on-site internship.

The department also offers a collaborative program in Women’s Studies at the MA level. This multidisciplinary program aims to combine graduate studies in a particular discipline with the feminist approach and the problems developed in women's studies. The degree awarded is a master's degree in criminology with a "specialization in women's studies".

Finally, regarding thesis option, the department offers the possibility of acquiring a double degree in criminology (DDC) combining the first year of studies at Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Belgium with a second year of study at the University of Ottawa (U of O). Students graduating from the DDC will thus be awarded a diploma from both universities, a master of arts in criminology from U of O and a master's degree in criminology from UCL.