School of Criminal Justice

​All students complete a common core of courses in criminology, law, and research methods but can take electives from any stream.

Policing Stream

As a student in the Policing stream, you will examine the criminal code, the young offenders system, and learn the skills and techniques you need for a successful career in policing. You will complete courses at both Nipissing University and Canadore College, and graduate with a college diploma and a university degree in just four years! Ethical reasoning and community policing are also key concepts in this stream.

Criminology Stream

In the Criminology stream, you will learn how to understand essential theories and methodologies used in the Criminology field. This stream gives you essential skills in communication, statistics, and analysis. We regularly offer courses in special topics like Women and the Criminal Justice System, and Youth in Conflict with the Law.

Corrections Stream

If you choose to pursue the Corrections stream, you will earn a college diploma from Canadore College and a university degree from Nipissing University in just four years. At Canadore College you will study psychology, community re-integration, programming, and interviewing, and you will also complete a field placement. As a Corrections stream student, you will gain skills and knowledge in areas like administration, group dynamics, and counselling.

Criminal Justice Studies Stream

In the Criminal Justice Studies stream, you will take a wide variety of courses that will give you broad knowledge of the Criminal Justice system. You will also take courses in Sociology and Psychology, and you will learn how they relate to the field of Criminal Justice.

Graduates from Law Clerk program from an Ontario Community College are eligible for admission to the Legal Studies and Administration Stream.

Our flexible placement program provides practical experience within the profession, including placements with jails, police services, victim services, and more.

Research Assistant opportunities with professors and the fourth-year thesis course are available and offer you even more opportunities to deepen your knowledge and its practical applications by allowing you to conduct in-depth research on issues in the Criminal Justice field.

Alpha Phi Sigma

In March 2011, Nipissing’s Criminal Justice program had the honour of becoming the first Canadian Chapter of the American National Criminal Justice Honor Society (ANCJHS), which recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate students of Criminal Justice, as well as Juris Doctorate students. The goals are to honour and promote academic excellence, community service, educational leadership, and unity. In the United States, there are now over 360 chapters. Nipissing’s chapter, Mu Kappa, strives to promote the goals of the ANCJHS through community service in conjunction with local Criminal Justice agencies. Nipissing students who have completed three Criminal Justice courses with an average over 75% will be invited to join Mu Kappa.

The Criminal Justice Student Association

The Criminal Justice Student Association is student run organization that provides Nipissing University Criminal Justice students with a forum for the discussion of criminal justice issues, as well as opportunities to learn about careers available to them upon graduation, within the CJ system and beyond. The CJSA also helps to foster collegiality among criminal justice students in order to enhance their student experience within the classroom, as well as their overall social experience while attending Nipissing University. To connect and learn more about what is going on with the CJSA, Like us on Facebook!

Canadian Correctional System Overview​

Graduate School Application Process

A guide for students considering a Criminology/Legal Studies Master's degree or a Law degree.

Graduate Programs Relevant to Criminal Justice and Law Schools in Canada​

A list of schools offering graduate programs.

Scholarships, awards and bursaries for students in Criminal Justice program

International Experiences

In conjunction with non-governmental organizations, business students and their professors have the opportunity to travel to rural areas in other countries for a few weeks at a time to learn about different cultures and how economic development concerns can be a barrier to expansion.

We also offer the opportunity to study abroad for a specified period of time. Through a study exchange program, credits earned internationally are transferred to your Nipissing University Degree. Other programs include summer courses, international conferences, research projects, volunteering, language training, and group study tours. By taking an international opportunity, you will gain a global perspective and internationalize your degree.

Because of our focus on blending theory with practice, and all the opportunities our students have to gain practical experience in the field, our graduates find employment very easily after graduation. Many have gone on to work with the Ministry of Correctional Services, the Ontario Provincial Police, RCMP the Canadian Antifraud Centre in various capacities. Some have become research and business analysts, correctional officers, police officers, or court liaison officers. Still others continue their education with law school, or graduate studies at the Master and Doctorate levels.

Career and Academic Options

• Graduate Studies
• Professional School (Education, Law, MBA)
• Employment as a police officer, crime analyst, research and policy analyst, correctional officer or probation/parole officer
• Careers with the RCMP, OPP, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Correctional Service of Canada, Canada’s armed forces, regional, municipal, military and First Nation community police services