PhD Criminology and Social Justice at Ontario Tech University

Programme overview

The PhD in Criminology and Social Justice combines disciplinary and specialized study in Criminology, study in qualitative research methods and statistics, and applied learning experiences to prepare students to work in a variety of settings. Specifically, the program will prepare students for careers related to research and/or teaching in college and university settings, research and practice in behavioural science crime units within law enforcement, research in correctional facilities, research in mental health institutions, evaluation of community programs, administration in provincial and federal programs, statistical research in government organizations, and research in justice-related institutes.

Faculty: Social Science and Humanities | Duration: Approximately 48 months, based on full-time study | Study mode: full-time | Intake: September | Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Hold a four-year honours undergraduate degree in the social sciences from a Canadian university, or its equivalent from a recognized institution. Typically, applicants are expected to have completed the university's Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology or an equivalent research project or thesis-based MA program from a recognized institution. Minimum overall academic standing of an A-minus (GPA: 3.7 on a 4.3 scale) during their graduate studies. Applicants with advanced degrees in other relevant fields, such as Sociology, Social Psychology or Legal Studies, are also welcome to apply. Applicants with unrelated backgrounds may be admitted as special cases. However, all applicants should realize that without a strong background in social science, specifically social theories and methodologies, they may find themselves at a significant, temporary disadvantage.

Domestic applicants: CAD 7,579 a year (2026-2027). Domestic full-time flat-fee tuition, annual amount based on three terms (per-term amount is one third). Flat-fee annual amount (three terms), full-time, 2026-2027; excludes ancillary fees. Source

International applicants: CAD 19,166 a year (2026-2027). International full-time flat-fee tuition, annual amount based on three terms. Flat-fee annual amount (three terms), full-time, 2026-2027; excludes ancillary fees. Source

Doctoral intakes: January 2027, May 2027 and September 2027, depending on the programme.

Graduate applications are submitted online through OUAC. Doctoral deadlines (domestic / international), September 2027 entry: Cybersecurity April 1, 2027 / April 1, 2027; Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering April 1, 2027 / February 1, 2027; Health Sciences, Applied Bioscience, Computer Science, Materials Science, Modelling and Computational Science, Criminology and Social Justice February 1, 2027 / February 1, 2027; EdD and Forensic Psychology December 1, 2026 / December 1, 2026. January 2027 entry: Engineering, Applied Bioscience, Computer Science and Modelling and Computational Science September 1, 2026; Cybersecurity October 1, 2026. May 2027 entry: January 15, 2027 domestic / November 13, 2026 international.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.ontariotechu.ca/

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