The Department of Criminology offers a program leading to the PhD in criminology with a particular focus on the creation and reform of criminal justice policies in Canada. The program is offered in English and in French.

Criminal justice policies are based on a combination of cultural elements, specialized knowledge, laws and social practices that determine behaviour of a potentially criminal nature and the kind of response society can or should adopt.

The field is divided into two areas. The first addresses the process by means of which criminal justice policies (including laws and institutions such as the police, prison, etc.) are created and developed. The second concerns the theoretical and empirical analysis of the implementation of such policies. It examines how institutions function and attempts to assess the social consequences of these policies so as to suggest new reforms or alternative measures of a more moderate nature and more respectful of human dignity.

To be eligible for admission to the PhD program, students must hold a master's degree (thesis or research paper) in criminology or a related discipline, with a minimum average of 75 % (B+). A brief description (one or two pages) of the proposed research project must be submitted. Admission to the program will depend on the possibility of finding a professor to supervise the candidate's research.

Application Deadline

To find the application deadline, please check the “program-specific requirements” under Application Procedures and Information at the following address: www.grad.uottawa.ca/apply.

The Department reserves the right to examine applications received after the deadline.

Residence

PhD candidates must be registered as full-time students for at least six sessions (two years) at the beginning of their program.

Language Requirements

Students must understand, speak, and write either English of French fluently. In addition, they must have reading competence in Canada's other official language, French or English. Those who lack such competence must demonstrate that they have attained it by the end of their third session in the program. Such students are advised to contact the Second Language Institute (SLI) upon arrival to have their level assessed and to obtain complete information on the language courses offered.

Competence in the second language can be demonstrated either by
a) passing a test administered by the SLI
or
b) successfully completing an intermediate-level reading comprehension course designated by the SLI ( ex. ESL 2331 or FLS 2731).

According to university regulations, students can write their papers, exams, and theses in the official language of their choice (either English or French).

PhD Degree Requirements

1. CRM8100 DOCTORAL SEMINAR (3cr.)
   and
   CRM8101 DOCTORAL SEMINAR II (3cr.)
   
2. CRM8110 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN CRIMINOLOGY II (3cr.)
   
3. One elective course (3 cr.) in criminology or in another discipline with the Department's approval.
4. CRM9997 PROJET DE THÈSE / THESIS PROPOSAL
   
5. CRM9998 EXAMEN DE SYNTHÈSE / COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
   
6. CRM9999 THÈSE DE DOCTORAT / PhD THESIS
   

Required courses are offered in English and French every year. Optional courses are offered periodically.