Undergraduate Program

A degree in Criminology provides students with an opportunity for focused study of various forms of regulation, policing, punishment, law, corrections and justice. The undergraduate program enables students to obtain a solid foundation in Criminology for further study at the graduate level; for the pursuit of Criminology-related disciplines; and for careers in the related professions. The Department of Criminology offers minor, major, and honours programs.

By the end of the Criminology major program, students will be able to:

• Explain and apply foundational and emergent concepts in criminology
• Explain and assess the various perspectives and disciplines in criminology
• Explain and contrast methodological and theoretical paradigms in criminology
• Demonstrate university-level communication skills within the field of criminology
• Apply the criminological imagination to solve social problems
• Design and conduct ethical, responsible, rigorous research 
• Formulate connections between research and theory in criminology
• Explain the complexity and evolution of knowledge in criminology
• Explain and evaluate criminal justice institutions and processes
• Explain the effect of settler colonialism and institutional racism on the criminal justice system
• Explain the history of racism, sexism, settler colonialism and heteronormativity embedded in criminology
• Understand how the criminal justice system has been a tool of settler colonialism 

Q:  What courses will I need to complete my criminology major?

A:  Consult the Academic Calendar 

If you have questions about your criminology major, visit a criminology advisor. Advising hours may be found at: https://smu.ca/academics/departments/crim-academic-advising.html  

Q:  I haven’t yet declared my major. How do I enter the criminology major program?

A:  To declare a major in criminology in 2019-20, you must have passed CRIM 1303 or CRIM 2303 (Introduction to Criminology), and obtained at least a B- in CRIM 2304 or CRIM 3304 (Canadian Criminal Justice System) and CRIM 2110 (Exploring Criminology).

Q:  I’m interested in doing a minor in criminology. What are the entry requirements?

A:  The requirements to enter the minor program in criminology are the same as the major program: Passing CRIM 1303 or CRIM 2303 (Introduction to Criminology), and obtained at least a B- in CRIM 2304 or CRIM 3304 (Canadian Criminal Justice System) and CRIM 2110 (Exploring Criminology). Completing a minor in criminology will also require that you complete an additional 15 credit hours in criminology at the 3000-level or above.

Q:  I’m taking a course in another Department that seems to overlap with criminology. Can it be counted towards my criminology major? 

A:  Possibly. Consult the Criminology-related courses taken outside of the Department of Criminology list or ask the Chair of the Department of Criminology (criminology@smu.ca)

Q:  Why do I keep getting a prerequisite error when I try to register for 3000-level criminology courses?

A:  Before you can enroll in 3000-level criminology courses, you will first need to declare a major or minor in criminology.

Q:  Why do I keep getting a prerequisite error when I try to register for 4000-level criminology courses?

A:  In addition to declaring a major or minor in criminology, most 4000-level criminology courses require that you complete the core 3000-level theory and methods courses.

Q:  A criminology class that I want to take is full. Is there a way for me to get into it?

A:  Overrides will not be granted into criminology courses that are full. The only way to enroll in the course is to monitor Banner to see if a space becomes available. In exceptional circumstances in which a student’s graduation will be delayed, the Chair of the Department of Criminology will consider override requests.