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.

This program is meant for current and aspiring professionals in justice-related institutions or agencies such as law enforcement, victim services, or legal departments within government and business. 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

Program options

There are two program options for the Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies:

Third-year entry (years three and four) for eligible students. This program can be completed in 12 months (on campus) or 24 months (blended).

Third-year entry (degree completion options)

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

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

Courses

Entry Options

Below are the courses you will take depending on the option you choose:

  1. Year 3 & 4 - degree completion (blended)

  2. 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

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First-year entry (4-year undergraduate degree)

First-year entry is for students coming from high school (or equivalent). Please review the year 1 admission and application requirements for more information. 

Third-year entry (degree completion - 3rd & 4th year)

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

First-year entry (4-year undergraduate degree) 

First-year entry is for students coming from high school (or equivalent). Please review the year 1 admission and application requirements for more information.  

Third-year entry (degree completion - 3rd & 4th year) 

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.