Criminology
間眅埶AV Requirements
The minimum admission requirements to this doctor of philosophy (PhD) program are stated in 1.3.4. Normally, an applicant should have at least one course in social science research methods and one undergraduate introductory statistics course. Direct admission may be approved for those with an MA in criminology, an MA in a discipline other than criminology, or an MSc and, under exceptional circumstances, with an undergraduate degree or its equivalent with a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA).
Applicants submit a research interests statement and at least two previous academic work examples.
In exceptional circumstances, those with a bachelor of arts (BA) (or equivalent) may be admitted if University regulations are met, original undergraduate research is demonstrated, and the applicant is recommended for direct entry by at least two criminology faculty who are eligible to teach or supervise in the PhD program. Those who meet the GPA requirement and have demonstrated research ability through field criminal justice experience may also be considered on recommendation of at least two program faculty members. Those so admitted will have their status reviewed by the end of the second term after admission. The graduate program committee determines the candidate’s ability to complete the PhD by direct entry. The student will either be confirmed as an approved PhD candidate or directed to seek master’s program admission.
Because many disciplines are allied to criminology, the graduate program committee reserves the right to determine equivalent courses already completed in the applicant’s master’s program. At the time of admission, the graduate program committee may grant up to 15 units of advanced standing.
Application fees are set by the dean of graduate studies office, and are subject to change each year. The deadline for receipt of the online application and supporting documents, for entrance commencing in the fall term, is February 1. Applicants will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
Although applicants with two prior degrees from the School of Criminology may be accepted into the PhD program, this is not considered a good practice.
Degree Requirements
Candidates complete a minimum of 33 units, including at least three of
The course will cover basic research design for criminological problems and basic techniques for the conduct of research in criminology and socio-legal study. The research methods covered will comprise both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The course is intended to establish fundamental research skills to be applied in advanced research methods seminars, in other core area courses, and in the preparation of theses and dissertations.
This course covers both parametric and non-parametric statistical techniques with an emphasis on parametric analysis. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics will be covered, including univariate measures, analyses of cross classified data, correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, regression, and related measures. Also discussed are the experimental and statistical research strategies which produce those data. The approach will be conceptual and will emphasize the strengths, weaknesses, selection and application of various statistical, experimental and quasi-experimental techniques.
This course will address a range of research techniques generally subsumed under the rubric of 'qualitative' research including field research, interview techniques, historical and legal research, and documentary analysis. Emphasis will be on the logic underlying such inquiry, the advantages and limitations associated with different sources of information and procedures, and the processes by which analytical rigor is achieved.
Advanced topics, issues and techniques in criminological and socio-legal research. The subject matter of this course will vary according to instructor interests and specialization. Specific areas of concentration may include the following: advanced multivariate statistical techniques, documentary and historical methods, evaluative and predictive research, participant observation/ethnography, systems analysis, and computer simulation modelling. Prerequisite: CRIM: 861 Research Methods II or permission of instructor.
Advanced topics, issues and techniques in qualitative research methods in criminological and socio-legal research. Subject matter will vary according to instructor interests and specialization. Specific areas of concentration may include: field research; participatory action research; qualitative research and the digital revolution; research ethics; historical methods. Prerequisite: CRIM 862: Research Methods III or permission of instructor.
and one of
A comprehensive overview of theories and the development of theoretical knowledge in criminology. This seminar will familiarize students with competing levels of understanding vis-a-vis crime and deviance phenomena. The course will emphasize the integration of historical and contemporary theory, theory construction and testing, and the impact of factors such as ideology, politics and social structure on the emergence of criminological thought.
Intensive exposure to the major streams of criminological theory. Topics for in-depth analysis will be selected according to the availability and interest of specific course instructors. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between ideas and social forces, as well as the interplay of theory and practice.
and at least 21 units selected from additional curriculum offerings
and satisfactory completion and oral defence of an original PhD thesis
A maximum of nine units may be completed in another department or university with supervisory committee and graduate program committee approval. These courses may be accepted as partially meeting PhD program requirements.
All students write one preliminary exam in theory and methods, customized to reflect their area(s) of research interest. Normally, students are expected to finish courses and the preliminary examination within two years of program entry.
Dissertation Procedures
In the term after the preliminary exam is passed, candidates develop a thesis prospectus based on original research defining the proposed investigation and demonstrates the relationship between it and existing scholarship. The thesis proposal is presented to the supervisory committee and, on approval, is circulated to faculty and resident graduate students and presented at a colloquium.
The thesis is defended in oral examination by an examining committee constituted under “Examining Committee for Doctoral Thesis” in the Graduate General Regulations.
Satisfactory Performance
The progress of each candidate is assessed once per year by the school (spring). Students who perform unsatisfactorily may not continue, subject to review procedures of unsatisfactory progress described in .
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the , as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as listed above.