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FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Criminal Justice

The Master of Arts (MA) in Criminal Justice provides opportunities for graduate training in theory, methods, and research. The areas covered include, but are not limited to, policing, corrections, social services, and policy development.

See our website for more information on our program: uwinnipeg.ca/criminal-justice/graduate-program-and-courses

Applications for any given September start are open for three months, from November 1 of the preceding year until February 1 of the start year. We do not have a January intake.


Because of its flexibility and options for practical and applied studies, the MA in Criminal Justice will appeal to both traditional students pursuing advanced studies in the social sciences as well as in-service professionals.

Students in the program gain an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system, as well as advanced skills in research methodology, study design and application, and policy development.

Students can pursue one of two streams:

  1. course and thesis; or
  2. course and knowledge synthesis project (KSP).

This program may be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. The normal time to graduate is 24 months (full-time) or 48 months (part-time).

Admission Requirements

Applicants who hold an Honours degree in a related social science discipline (e.g., Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Political Science) with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 are preferred candidates.

Applicants with a 4-year social science degree, strong backgrounds in theory and methods and a GPA of 3.0 or higher will also be considered.  Students without a strong background in criminology or criminal justice, or without coursework at a 4th-year level, may be asked to take additional courses or complete a qualifying year.

Individuals with 5 or more years of experience at the line level in the justice field (police officer, probation officer) may be given credit for CJ-3800(6) Field Placement in a qualifying year. There may be other professional experiences that can be considered.  NOTE: Applicants who do not have social science degrees must demonstrate in their applications the potential to succeed in a social science graduate program.

For this program, the English Requirement (if an applicant’s first language is not English) is: A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100, with a minimum score of 22 on the writing/speaking components, an IELTS score of 7.5, or Duolingo score of 125.

Program Contacts

Dr. Michelle Bertrand
phone: 204.988.7503
email: m.bertrand@uwinnipeg.ca

Visit the Criminal Justice website

Graduate Studies Admissions Office
email: graduateadmissions@uwinnipeg.ca 
website: uwinnipeg.ca/graduate-studies 

Visit the Graduate Studies website

In any case where The University of Winnipeg Academic Calendar and this webpage differ, the current Calendar takes precedence.

Program Contacts

Dr. Michelle Bertrand
phone: 204.988.7503
email: m.bertrand@uwinnipeg.ca
website: uwinnipeg.ca/criminal-justice/graduate-program-and-courses/ 

Graduate Studies Contacts

Graduate Studies Admissions Office
email: graduateadmissions@uwinnipeg.ca 
website: uwinnipeg.ca/graduate-studies 

In any case where The University of Winnipeg Academic Calendar and this fact sheet differ, the current Calendar takes precedence.

Last Updated: 08/01/2024

Last Updated: 08/01/2024