Criminal Justice and Public Policy | MA
Degree
- MA (Master of Arts)
Program Type
- Coursework
- Thesis
Delivery
- On-campus
Entry Terms & Deadlines
- Fall (September): January 15
Duration
Coursework:
- Full Time: 10 months
Thesis:
- Full Time: 16-24 months
Want to shape the future of criminal justice?
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Public Policy (CJPP) at the University of Guelph is more than just a graduate degree – it's your launchpad to a meaningful career where you can drive change, influence policy, and lead reform across the criminal justice sector.
Why choose the CJPP program at U of G? Unlike traditional criminology degrees, the CJPP MA blends theory, practice, and policy. You'll explore the most pressing and complex issues in today's criminal justice landscape – from wrongful convictions to systemic reform – through multiple lenses: criminology, sociology, political science, and law.
Don't just study criminal justice. Shape it.
Two Pathways to Fit Your Goals
Course-Based
10 Months
Fast-track your career with a focused curriculum and an experiential learning capstone.
Thesis-Based
16-24 Months
Deepen your research expertise on specific criminal justice issues to prepare for advanced academic and career positions.
Program Format and Courses
Our graduate program in Criminal Justice and Public Policy is delivered in-person at the University of Guelph's main campus.
In the course-based stream, you'll complete these courses over 10 months from September to June:
- Governing Criminal Justice
- Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- Society, Crime and Control
- Professional Seminar in CJPP
- Current Issues in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice and Public Policy in Practice
- 2 elective courses
Check out the CJPP course descriptions to learn more.
Learn from Experts
Join a vibrant academic community with 20+ faculty members leading cutting-edge research in criminal justice, governance, and policy.
You'll gain mentorship from scholars who are actively shaping national and international conversations.
Our faculty have expertise in areas like drug policy, gender-based violence, policing, bail, cyber-bullying, racial justice, restorative and transitional justice, judicial process, and more.
Learn from Professionals
The CJPP program exposes you to opportunities to engage directly with the justice system, learning from professionals working in the field as well as people with lived experience of the system.
- Truscott Lecture in Justice – learn from professionals shining a light on the Canadian criminal justice system.
- Criminal Justice in Practice – meet professionals working on the front lines of policing, corrections, legal advocacy, and policy.
- Wrongful Conviction Day – explore real-world cases and justice reform.
- Career Development Events – network with alumni, discover diverse career paths, and build your future.
Where Can a CJPP MA Take You?
The MA program will give you a deep understanding of crime, justice, equity, and governance. Graduates are also equipped with in-demand skills in research, analysis, communication, and policy writing, along with real-world experience and professional networks.
Our graduates are leaders and changemakers across the justice sector, working in:
- Community and social services (mental health and addictions)
- Policing (front-line and civilian roles)
- Law and legal advocacy
- Corrections and rehabilitation
- Border services and immigration
- Policy analysis and government consulting
- NGOs, research institutes, and think tanks
- Courthouse staff positions
Meet our Students & Graduates
My research project explores the unique incarceration experiences of Indigenous Canadians in correctional institutions. I am especially interested in looking at access to healthcare in the prison system.
My research interests include victimology, restorative justice, and gender-based violence. Specifically, I am interested in exploring survivors of gender-based violence and their perceptions on the suitability of restorative justice.
I am interested in Indigenous experience throughout the criminal justice system, with a focus on Indigenous women who did/didn't experience cultural-specific aids in carceral institutions and how that affects future contact with the criminal justice system.
I'm focusing on victim rights, gender-based violence, and victim's role in the court process. My research looks at the role of Intimate Partner Violence survivors in the bail process while investigating the benefits and drawbacks of their involvement.
Guaranteed Admission Pathway for U of G Students
The Criminal Justice and Public Policy program is proud to offer guaranteed admission to eligible University of Guelph students.
This pathway reserves spots in the program for students who have graduated from one of the following Bachelor of Arts majors with a minimum 85% average in the last two years of study:
- Criminal Justice and Public Policy
- Justice and Legal Studies
- Political Science
- Sociology
If you meet the guaranteed admission criteria:
- The application fee will be reimbursed after you start the program
- You do not need to include references or a research statement in your application
Apply for the Guaranteed Admission Pathway by December 18, 2025.
For thesis stream students only: you must identify a faculty member who has agreed to supervise your project when you complete the form to confirm your eligibility.
Applying to Criminal Justice and Public Policy
Get in Touch
Questions about the graduate program in Criminal Justice and Public Policy?
Contact the Graduate Program Team at csahs.admissions@uoguelph.ca.