Criminology Diploma

Why Choose North Island College?

• A future full of opportunity. Upon completion, you can choose to pursue your first career position and immediately build experience in the field―or bridge into year three of your university degree, now or anytime in the future.
• In good company. When you take courses at NIC, you’re joining a vibrant, exciting, and expanding community of learning. In 2007, close to 2,000 students took university transferable courses at NIC. 
• Same degree, save $20,000. Criminology diploma students transferring to university after graduation will spend approx. $20,000 less for the first two years of their studies (tuition, fees, books, transport, housing and food) compared to students attending an urban university. 

Program Highlights

Criminology involves the study of crime, criminal behaviour, and responses to law-breaking. The principle elements of criminology are social science theory and research methods that explore all aspects of crime and justice issues. The individual and social impact of crime is a critical component of research.

The two-year Criminology diploma is a great choice for individuals wishing to pursue post-secondary training for criminal justice related employment and/or advance to further studies in criminology. The diploma program consists of 60 credits of university transferable coursework which are completed on a full-time basis over two years (four academic semesters). Options for part-time study are also available.

Core 100-level courses include introductory topics in statistics, psychology, sociology, criminology, the criminal justice system, law and politics, and Canadian law, giving students a well-rounded knowledge base. A variety of 200-level topics allow students to advance deeper in to their field of work, including courses in criminal and deviant behaviour, criminal law, policing, corrections, and more.

In addition, students are able to choose four elective courses among a host of university transfer subjects, including anthropology, biology, business, chemistry, criminology, economics, English, equity and social justice, fine arts, First Nations studies, French, geography, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, space science and astronomy, Spanish, or women’s studies.

Diploma graduates will be well prepared for career pathways and entry-level employment in law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. For those who wish to pursue further studies, the Criminology diploma provides 60 credits (two academic years) of transfer credit toward many degrees in BC and beyond, including the Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology at Vancouver Island University and Simon Fraser University. The diploma also provides an excellent foundation for anyone wishing to pursue university studies in law.

Career Opportunities

Graduates possess employable skills in nearly every aspect of the justice system. A criminology credential, such as the Criminology diploma, an associate of arts, or a university degree, can provide access to a variety of careers. These include occupations in the criminal justice system, with Crown corporations, and in the private sector, which call for the knowledge and skills you will acquire in your studies. Career positions may include, but would not be limited to, correctional officer, court reporter, immigration officer, researcher, legal assistant, First Nations band officer, insurance adjuster, youth court worker, probation officer, police officer, crime analyst, and much more.

Admission Requirements

1. C in one of Provincial English 12, NIC ENG 060, ENG 098, ESL 090, or English Assessment; and
2. C in one of Principles of Math 11, Applications of Math 12, Foundations of Math 11, Pre-Calculus 11, NIC MAT 053, or Math Assessment.

Program Requirements

CRM-101 Introduction to Criminology
CRM-131 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
CRM-135 Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions
CRM-220 Research Methods in Criminology
CRM-230 Criminal Law
MAT-115 Introduction to Statistics
POL-151 Law and Politics
PSY-130 Introductory Psychology I
PSY-131 Introductory Psychology II
PSY-260 Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour
SOC-110 Introduction to Sociology I
SOC-230 Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance

One of:
CRM-241 Introduction to Corrections
CRM-251 Introduction to Policing
HIS-260 Historical Reactions to Criminal and Deviant Behaviour

One of:
PHI-100 Introductory Philosophy I: Knowledge and Reality
PHI-150 Critical Thinking

Plus:

12 credits (4 courses) electives chosen from any 100- or 200-level university transfer courses