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Criminology

Modern society is fascinated with crime. It is everywhere from the evening news to the best-seller list to prime-time television. But despite this fascination, few people have the knowledge and expertise to really understand the implications of crime and how to handle it within our society.

Join this special group of people by studying criminology at Douglas College, where you can begin to develop the expertise you need for a career in the fascinating criminal justice field.

Apply now for the Brodie Osborne-Campbell Memorial Scholarship.

You'll learn with instructors who have experience on the front lines as lawyers, youth workers, police officers, policy makers and psychologists. They are passionate about issues like aboriginal justice, gambling and child abuse. Most of all they are compassionate professionals dedicated to helping you learn about the criminal mind, and the intricate system society has designed to deal with criminal behaviour.

To see how much you know about the field of Criminology, take our criminology test.

Ways to study

Certificate in Criminal Justice Studies - a one-year program for students not planning on university who want to gain a background in criminology. This program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Diploma in Criminology - a two-year Diploma Program which prepares students to enter the field or to transfer to university.

Youth Justice Program combines practical criminology courses with hands-on counselling training to work with youth.

Diploma in Legal Studies - this two-year program appeals to students who may be thinking of attending law school one day, students who feel some legal knowledge will be beneficial in whatever career they choose, and students who simply have a general interest in law as an area of study in the liberal arts

University Transfer/Associate of Arts

You can choose to take criminology courses at Douglas, and then transfer them to a university with university transfer.

You can also choose to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in Forensic Studies.

Associate of Arts students may also take part in the Cooperative Education Program and gain paid, full-time work experience.

Graduate Profile:
Steven Bittle, Senior Research Officer with the Law Commission of Canada

Keeping it simple won't stop crime

Steven Bittle started studying Criminology at Douglas College in 1990 because he wanted to explore the big picture. Now, selected as the recipient of Douglas College's 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award, Bittle continues to examine the broad, underlying causes of crime as an influential Senior Research Officer with the Law Commission of Canada.

"I entered Criminology because I was interested in criminal and social justice issues, things such as poverty, the over-representation of Aboriginals in the criminal justice system and the historical use of legal agencies against certain populations," says Bittle. "One of the things I enjoyed about Douglas College, was that in addition to courses in criminal justice and policing, we also studied disciplines such as sociology, psychology and political science, which reflected the complexity of the kinds of issues criminologists have to deal with."

Today, in his senior post in Ottawa, Bittle affirms that understanding the deeper causes of crime must remain a priority in his rapidly growing field.

"It's great to have a growing interest in Criminology, but unfortunately there' s been a real push towards emphasizing criminal control over the last 10 years," says Bittle. "The biggest challenge for the Law Commission of Canada is to resist the automatic 'there-outta-be-a-law' reaction that stifles looking at causes and alternatives that can do more to resolve issues."

Criminal issues are often charged with emotion. Bittle acknowledges another challenge for criminologists is overcoming perceptions created by sensational headlines and the media's focus on crime.

"The fact is that while crime rates are going down, people's fear of crime is going up - and there is a lot written in the field about the role of media coverage and programming to create that perception."

Based in Bittle's hometown of Ottawa, the Law Commission of Canada is an independent agency that researches the broad social, cultural and economic causes affecting crime to help federal and provincial governments draft realistic laws and policy. In his work with the Commission, Bittle has worked on numerous articles and conference presentations, and coordinates major academic research projects.

"Steven assesses research projects from many universities and top academics across Canada. He is a sharp tack and he is confident enough to offer comments and recommendations when needed," says Dr. Colin Campbell, an Instructor in the Douglas College Criminology Department. "I believe his professional achievements reflect on the importance of the openness of Douglas College, which allows students to come into our programs, find that they excel in their studies and subsequently realize that their horizons are unlimited in terms of career goals. Steven's success is a significant personal achievement and something our program can be very proud of."

After starting in Douglas College's Criminology Program, Bittle transferred to Simon Fraser University and completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He is currently working on his PhD at Queens University and plans to eventually teach at the post-secondary level.