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Justice Studies

Justice Studies

“The program prepares you for the legal industry...I developed hard and soft skills through placement as a Court Clerk at the Ontario Court of Justice...There are so many opportunities in the future to branch out to different roles.”

Learn About Samantha
Samantha G.

Why study Justice at UofGH?

Find out why students just like you chose the University of Guelph-Humber.

I am a...

Earn 2 Credentials
HONOURS BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN JUSTICE STUDIES
from the University of Guelph
+
DIPLOMA IN COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE SERVICES OR POLICE FOUNDATIONS
from Humber

Focused Academic Program

Prepare for a future in the justice field in private, institutional or community settings.

Throughout your four years, you will be exposed to the justice system: from the rules we follow to dealing with people and communities to the hands-on processing of crime scenes and making arrests. Build key skills required in any area of justice such as critical thinking, research methods and how to write effectively.

In your first year, you will build a foundation in justice and related fields, and in second year, you begin to take courses that touch on various services and how they are delivered, including counselling, conflict resolution, forensics and policing.

You decide which diploma to pursue in second year, focusing in on one of these two areas:

Community and Justice Services
Focuses on social issues and explores the development of community programs, ways to work with both victims and offenders, and methods of crime prevention.

OR

Police Foundations
Prepares you for a career in the various levels of law enforcement in the Canadian justice system.

Years three and four move on to advanced courses that immerse you in issues such as ethics; equality; rights and freedoms; youth and the law; and criminology.

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Admission Info

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First-year Courses

Students studying
  • Crime & Criminal Justice 
  • Criminal Offences
  • Health & Wellness I
  • Introduction to Law
  • Introduction to Police Powers
  • Introductory Psychology: Dynamics
  • Justice Studies Writing & Communication Skills
  • Principles of Sociology
  • Provincial Legislation
  • Public Sector Management
 

200 Hours of Experiential Learning

0 hrs Year 2
+
0 hrs Year 3

Past placement partners include:

  • Various police services
  • Law offices
  • Ministry of the Attorney General
  • St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Forensic Psychiatry Program
  • Private investigation/security companies
  • Canada Border Services Agency
  • Toronto South Detention Centre/Ontario Ministry of the Soliciter General
  • Elizabeth Fry Society
  • Public Safety Canada
  • Toronto Court Services

Note: You may be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening and/or Criminal Reference Check prior to placement.

Sample Careers & Further Education

  • Anti-terrorism Analyst
  • Corporate Investigator
  • Victim Services Worker
  • Bylaw Enforcement
  • Crime Analyst
  • Police Officer
  • Border Services Officer
  • Anti-money Laundering Investigator
  • Research Analyst
  • Master of Arts in Criminology
  • Law School
  • Bachelor of Education
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Arts in Political Science
  • Ontario Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution

Note: Some careers and entry into further education may require additional study.

Opportunities

Investigate crime

Evaluate staged crime scenes in our crime scene investigation (CSI) room. Use mock court to role-play a case. Learn investigative techniques and how to handle evidence. Join one of our CSI teams and compete in competitions abroad.

mock crime scene

Prepare for law school

Join the Pre-law society and get the opportunity to participate in mooting competitions. Select a placement in a law office or perhaps the Crown Attorney's Office. Take advantage of LSAT and applying to law school sessions. You will be well prepared to attend law school locally or abroad.

Student preparing for LSAT

Law school opportunities

Graduate ready for Canadian law school or take advantage of our partnerships in England. Earn a senior status law degree (LLB) with The City Law School, City, University of London   in just two years without an LSAT requirement, or a Master of Law (LLM) through distance learning with the University of London   in one year (full-time) or up to five years (part-time). Both with reduced tuition.

The Graduate Entry LLB (Hons) program attracts students from all over the world—many from Canada. Follow in the footsteps of renowned alumni such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

London Bridge

Research as an undergraduate

If research interests you, get to know the many research opportunities inside and outside of class. Get paid and conduct research as a Research Assistant with instructors funded by the University’s Research Grant Fund.

  • Apply classroom knowledge
  • Develop skills in conducting experiments, research and data collection
  • Contribute to research publications
Professor and assistants doing facial research
Ovais A.

“The hyper-focused learning and understanding of the intricacies of the criminal justice system, from the program, helped centre me throughout my legal studies and journey."

Learn About Ovais
 

Global Learning Opportunities

Through instructor-guided study tours, you experience concepts discussed in class. Because these courses are partially subsidized by the University, the opportunities are within reach. You may also be eligible for a travel grant, ranging from $1,500 to $2,500.

Past highlights include:

Denmark
Visiting outdoor classrooms in Odense where children interact with nature: an example of Denmark’s unique contribution to child development

Japan
Learning about Soka education — a philosophy of well-being and global citizenship in Japan

New Zealand
Exploring the interplay between sport, health and culture in New Zealand’s Australasian society

 

Italy
Immersing in the Italian food experience from production to consumption in Italy, including a visit to the world's first food theme park

Ecuador
Heading to the Galápagos Islands and inland Ecuador to study "eco-psychology" — the attitudes, perceptions and behaviour of people toward the environment

Study Abroad photo from Singapore by Dylan Cunanan

Get Involved

Societies

Societies are related to our seven academic programs and offer a realm of activities outside of class. They can help you develop leadership skills, gain professional experience and network. Check out our Clubs and Societies page.

Join the Criminal Justice Honour Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, that promotes academic excellence, community service, educational leadership and unity. Plus, work with Innocence Canada.

Become a member of the Pre-Law Society to foster a culture of legal inquiry and critical thought processes in the academic community; members compete in moot court competitions and prepare for LSATs and law school.

Student presenting

Soka Education Research Centre on Global Citizenship

Join the Soka Education Research Centre on Global Citizenship: a global undergraduate research project—the first of its kind in the world—led by Community Social Services Program Head Dr. Paul Sherman. Explore how to nurture human potential and happiness for the greater benefit of humankind through the study of Soka (value-creating) education and global citizenship. Travel as a Research Assistant to present study results at professional symposiums.

Soka

Agora Fellowship

Be a part of the Agora Fellowship: a select group of students who discuss ideas and themes from renowned books in a regular forum led by Dr. George Bragues. Build your extracurricular experience. Every year, the Fellowship takes a trip related to their current topics; destinations have included Boston, Montreal, New York and Washington.

Discussion

Get Certified

Register to take part in mental health first-aid training, and have it officially recognized on your Co-Curricular Record.

Student presenting