The Department of Criminology is nationally and internationally recognized for its cutting-edge approach to a variety of criminal justice issues.

Why study in criminology?

Few issues attract more public attention and generate more public debate than those involving crime and victimization. Unfortunately, these debates are too often based on emotion rather that on the best available information.

Criminology is the study of crime, criminalization and processes of social control. Criminology is also an applied discipline. As such, it studies interventions that help resolve conflicts and problems in society.

Through your courses, you will become acquainted with:

  • the nature and dynamics of rule-breaking
  • how norms and the concept of crime are constructed socially
  • the criminalization of various acts by society
  • how the penal justice system operates and how its operation ultimately affects society
  • new intervention methods for individuals and communities

Our overall objective is to provide students with the concepts, theories and methods necessary for a better understanding of the realities of crime and control, and with the practical skills that will allow them to participate and to, hopefully, make a difference in these areas.

Hands holding a scale

Contact us

Department of Criminology

Faculty of Social Sciences
Social Sciences Building (map)
120 University Private, Room 14002
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Canada
 

Tel.: 613-562-5303

[email protected]

Office hours

September 1 to May 31:
Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

June 1 to August 31:
Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Note

Please note our services and our personnel are available by MS Teams and by email.

The Social Sciences (FSS) and Vanier (VNR) buildings are open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.