Criminology Diploma at Vancouver Island University

Programme overview

Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on law and its interpretation by the courts, patterns in crime, explanations for deviant and criminal behaviour, and society’s reaction to law-breaking. The program introduces students to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. Students examine the three main components of the criminal justice system—police, courts, and corrections.

Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Duration: 2 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Courses include Intro to Criminology, Psycho-social Explanations of Criminality, Criminological Theory and the Lived Experience, Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour, Intro to the Criminal Justice System, Intro to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions: a Criminal Justice Perspective, Rhetoric and Reasoning, Intro to Philosophy: Theory of Knowledge.

Career pathways

Graduates of the Diploma program have accessed careers in provincial corrections or probation, federal parole or corrections, policing, customs and immigration, court–related occupations, or working with youth in correctional/therapeutic settings.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

General admission requirements apply.; English 12 with minimum “C” or equivalent.; One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 11 with minimum “C”, or equivalent.; Notes on Admission; Aboriginal students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.; Admission rankings are determined by the overall GPA of English 12 and Mathematics 11.; Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most programmes start in September; January intake is offered for some bachelor's degrees and other programmes; many programmes offer alternative start dates throughout the year.

Applications for most academic programs open October 1 in the year before the program start date (applications for programs beginning September 2027 open October 1, 2026); deadlines vary by program.

Application fee: domestic undergraduate $46.98, domestic graduate $121.86, international all programs $156.06 (non-refundable); no application fee for Adult Basic Education.

Apply through the official page: https://www.viu.ca/apply

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