Gain practical knowledge of Canadian public policy on criminal justice, Indigenous perspectives of justice and restorative justice. Examine rights, advocacy, gender and alternative dispute resolution.
You're a current or aspiring professional in a justice institute like law enforcement, victim services, or a legal department.
Complete your undergraduate degree on campus in 12 months, or through a blend of online courses and on-campus residencies in 24 months.
Learn to apply integrity, initiative, perseverance and compassion to your work to drive social change.
Upcoming offerings
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Program description
In the Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies you will learn about the Canadian justice field and gain a practical understanding of contemporary justice issues.
You'll also study concepts related to global justice and indigenous perspectives on justice. And you'll learn to apply integrity, initiative, perseverance and compassion to your work, with the goal of creating social change.
Your classmates could be from government, policing, military, for-profit/non-profit and international organizations. They share your desire to transform the world by solving complex social issues.
You can expect to gain:
- a solid understanding of the Canadian legal system
- in-depth knowledge of the justice system including criminal justice, human rights, advocacy, gender and identity, and alternative dispute resolution
- hands-on training in alternative dispute resolution practices
- a network of colleagues and support you can turn to for the rest of your career
You can build from here
Once you've completed your program, you have many options for further education. Many of our graduates opt to continue with an MA in one of our graduate programs: Justice Studies, Conflict Analysis and Management, or Human Security and Peacebuilding. You also have the option to apply directly to the Master of Laws (LLM) program at the University of London.
Program outcomes
Once you have completed this program, you'll have skills like critical thinking, communication and professional practices that will enable you to work in sectors like criminal justice, social justice, advocacy and human rights, conflict management, alternative dispute resolution and community development.
Some graduates continue their education at law school, while others pursue graduate degrees.
Program delivery
You can complete this program in 12 months on campus, or in 24 months through a blended format.
On-campus, 12-month option
You can complete the third and fourth year of your Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies in a 12-month full-time on-campus program. This intensive program is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in your studies without working at the same time.
This intensive option begins in September, and ends the following August. You'll attend classes five days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and take five courses in each of four terms, with brief breaks between each term, to complete a total of 60 credits.
On-campus learning is ideally suited to those who learn best when they can be face-to-face with other students and their instructors, and who are prepared for a fast-paced intensive study environment. The on-campus program features:
- a cohort-based learning environment that fosters and supports successful learning through social interactions
- team-based learning, and coaching to improve team skills
Blended, two-year option
You can finish the third and fourth years of your Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies in a two-year blended program that includes two immersive on-campus residencies, for a total of 60 credits.
Online learning
Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous sessions, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.
You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course about academic integrity.
You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.
You’ll take one online course at a time for a period of nine weeks. Each online course requires approximately 20 hours of work per week.
Residencies
This blended program has two immersive on-campus residencies: a three-week residency in year one, and a two-week residency in year two.
Residencies are intensive and immersive. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.
During your residency, you can expect to:
- attend classes full-time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
- take part in extracurricular activities
Courses
Entry Options
Below are the courses you will take depending on the option you choose:
-
Year 3 & 4 - degree completion (blended)
-
Year 3 & 4 - degree completion (face-to-face)
For order and dates of courses, please see appropriate program schedule for option chosen on Overview tab.
Year 3 & 4 - Degree Completion - Required Courses
JUST300
Human Service Skills in the Justice Field
3.0 Credits
Blended, On Campus
JUST301
Canadian Criminal Justice System: Part 1
3.0 Credits
Blended, On Campus
JUST303
History and Philosophy of Justice in the Canadian Context until 1867
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST304
Canadian Constitution
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST312
Indigenous Justice Perspectives
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST306
Canadian Criminal Justice System: Part 2
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST308
Family and Justice: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST315
Civil and Administrative Law and Regulatory Environments
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST400A
Theoretical Perspectives on Alternative Dispute Resolution
3.0 Credits
Blended, On Campus
JUST400B
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Practice
3.0 Credits
Blended, On Campus
JUSTSB
Career Management for Justice Studies
0.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST401
History and Philosophy of Law in the Canadian Context from 1867
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST402
Public Policy and Justice
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST403
Comparative Global Legal Approaches and Philosophies
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST404
Introduction to International Law and International Organizations
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST410
Research Methods for Justice Practitioners
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST408
Exercises in Ethics and Law
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST416
Gender, Diversity, and Justice
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST419
Critical Analysis of Justice Perspectives
3.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
Year 3 & 4 - Degree Completion
The following program is for those students who have already completed years one and two of their studies (60 credits) and will be taking the Degree Completion Option.
Blended Option - Students will come to campus for two separate residency periods of two weeks each with the rest of the program taken online.
On-Campus Option - Students take the entire program on campus, except for Introduction to Academic Integrity course which is completed online.
To see order and date for courses, please see appropriate program schedule for option chosen found on overview page.
Year 3 & 4 - Degree Completion - Elective Courses
Students choose one of the following:
JUST411
Field Study
6.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
JUST412
Applied Research Project
6.0 Credits
On Campus, Online
Faculty
Transfer agreements
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Standard admission
A relevant two-year diploma program (or 60 credits) with a minimum of 24 second-year credits, with a minimum GPA of 'B' (3.00/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution.
Flexible admission
Applicants may be assessed for admission on the basis of their skills, knowledge, and background developed outside traditional learning structures or through a combination of academic and non-academic experience.
This would normally include evidence of:
- at least five years of relevant work experience in an area related to justice,
- a combination of academic achievement and relevant work experience,
- an ability to demonstrate the competencies expected of a graduate with a relevant two-year diploma.
English language proficiency
If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.
Application requirements
Before your file can be assessed for admission, the following information & supporting documents are required for entry to third year.
Application form
In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.
Missed your application deadline? While we can’t make any guarantees, we may be able to accommodate late applications if there's still space and enough time to process. If you're interested in an intake that is now closed to applications, apply for the next available intake and email Admissions with your preferred start date. Make sure you’re prepared to submit your program's required documents right away. We can't make an admissions decision without them.
Official transcripts
Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.
Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.
All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.
Additional requirements for flexible admission
For applicants who will be reviewed under the flexible admission process the following additional supporting documents will be required:
Personal statement
Your personal statement should be no less than one page and it should indicate your motivation for applying to the program by addressing the following four questions:
- Why do you want to enroll in the Justice Studies Program?
- What strengths do you bring to the program?
- What experience do you have with distance education and self-directed study?
- Upon completion, how do you want to apply your degree?
Letter of reference
Typically, applicants will provide one reference from a current or past employers, or those who have known you in an academic or volunteer setting. Although personal references are considered as part of the application, an emphasis is placed on professional and academic references.
- Professional reference: This letter should attest to your current or previous performance in your professional life. The letter can address areas such as communication skills, interpersonal and leadership skills, management potential, work ethic, etc.
- Personal character reference: A personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known the applicant for several years such as a friend, coach, employer, etc. The writer must indicate the length of time and context in which they have known the applicant and consider the following attributes in the letter: compassion; empathy; integrity; equal concern and respect for others; initiative; adaptability; maturity; responsibility; continuity and perseverance.
- Academic reference: This letter should attest to the applicant’s performance in the context of their current or previous studies. The letter can address such areas as academic achievement, study skills, teamwork, leadership potential, human relations, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.
Structured résumé
- Post-secondary education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
- Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service (month and year), and a brief description of duties.
- Training and professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed with the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
- Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
- Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
- Other relevant information: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.
If applicable
- Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
- Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
- An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
- Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.
For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.