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Criminal Justice and Public Policy | MA

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  3. Grad Programs

Degree

  • MA (Master of Arts)

Program Type

  • Coursework
  • Thesis

Delivery

  • On-campus

Entry Terms & Application Deadlines

  • Fall (September): January 15

Duration

  • Coursework:

    • Full Time: 10 months

  • Thesis:

    • Full Time: 16-24 months

Admission Average

77% - 79%**Additional Requirements
Program Structure

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.

Join us online or in-person for a program information event on November 5 at 5:30 PM

Apply Now
Nov 5 Program Event
Questions?

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.

Students in a lecture hall

Learn from Experts

Join a vibrant academic community with 20+ faculty members leading cutting-edge research in criminal justice, governance, and policy.

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.

You'll gain mentorship from scholars who are actively shaping national and international conversations. If you are interested in writing a thesis, contact the faculty member you would like to work with and tell them about your research interests.

Meet the Faculty
CJPP Students with Justice Moldaver

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 justice reform through the real-world cases of exonerees.
  • 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

Cordelia Zehr

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.
Cordelia ZehrCJPP MA Student
Noah Ramsammy

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.
Noah RamsammyCJPP MA Student
Arianna Pearman

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.
Arianna PearmanCJPP MA Student
Erin Knipfel

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.
Erin KnipfelCJPP MA Student

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

Apply for the Guaranteed Admission Pathway by December 18, 2026.

Applying to Criminal Justice and Public Policy

Admission to CJPP is competitive. We consider applicants who meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Honours bachelor's degree in a social science or humanities program, with:
    • A minimum B+ average (77-79%) in the last two years of study
    • At least 5 criminology and/or public policy undergraduate courses

Note:

  • Applicants with an undergraduate major in sociology, criminology or political science are preferred.
  • Requirements may be in progress at the time of application but must be completed by April 30 of the entrance year.

If you are applying to the thesis stream of the program, use our search tool to explore faculty specialties. Contact the faculty member you would like to work with to determine:

  • if your research interests fit with their expertise
  • their availability to advise you

Visit the Registrar's Office website for full details on domestic and international tuition per semester.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for external scholarships in the fall of the year before entering the program. External award opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program
  • Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master's program

Applicants can also browse scholarships available to graduate students in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences.

If you receive an offer of admission, it may include scholarships, teaching/research assistant position(s), and other stipends. Even if you are not offered a guaranteed teaching assistant position, you can still apply for open positions. You can also apply for travel grants to help fund research-related travel.

Note that admission offers to the thesis stream usually include more financial support than offers for the course-based stream.

Learn more about funding your graduate studies.

How to Apply

Get in Touch

Questions about the graduate program in Criminal Justice and Public Policy?

Contact the Graduate Program Team at csahs.admissions@uoguelph.ca.

Apply Now