Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Criminal Justice Humber Polytechnic - Lakeshore Campus, Canada

Humber’s Bachelor of Social Science – Criminal Justice degree program provides you with a broad-based understanding of the criminal justice system, why crime occurs and how best to respond to crime on both a societal and individual level. The curriculum combines both theory and applied skills, providing the breadth of knowledge and experience you need to meet the demands of working in this field. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the perspectives of offenders, front-line professionals, administrators, the community and others who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

In your first year of study, you will participate in a social science foundation year (common platform with other students from the Faculty of Social and Community Services). In years two through four, the curriculum will then focus on content specific to the criminal justice system. Your studies will allow you to develop knowledge and skills critical to a variety of fast-paced, ever-changing settings within the justice field. You will gain a fundamental understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches developed in relation to crime, victimization, criminalization, criminal justice, sociology, policy studies, law, and correctional practice. Your courses will include an in-depth study of the nature and causes of crime, processes for managing crime, deviance, victimization, mental health, community safety, rehabilitation, recidivism, social policy, restorative justice, and alternatives to incarceration.

Humber’s multidisciplinary teaching approach emphasizes critical thinking, as well as analytical, organizational, research and writing skills. These are combined with the development of professional skills including communication, interpersonal skills, conflict management, problem solving, team building and leadership.

 Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will

• Describe and critically examine a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches within criminology and criminal justice and provide an evaluation of their application.
• Evaluate complex social problems in terms of criminological theories of crime, deviance, victimization, crime control and penal practice.
• Provide an analytical account of social diversity and inequality and their effects in relation to crime, victimization, crime control and penal practice.
• Analyze the value of criminological work as it applies to crime, crime victims, policing, criminal justice and penal policies.
• Outline and interpret the historical development of the Canadian Correctional System while discussing the core values and principles associated with the Criminal Justice System and evaluate the various ethical systems.
• Analyze the structure and operation of correctional facilities.
• Evaluate the complex role of the community in the Criminal Justice system while discussing the roles of the various players within the criminal justice system and the interdependence that exists among them.
• Identify the process of program management and measure the cost and effectiveness of correctional programs.
• Discuss the challenges and rewards of working with special populations in an institutional and community setting.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of institutional and community correctional intervention by comparing provincial, national and international jurisdictions while evaluating alternatives to the current correctional intervention strategies, with a view to anticipating future directions.
• Examine and apply a range of research strategies and methods and assess the appropriateness of their use.
• Formulate and evaluate criminological questions with clarity while analyzing the ethical implications of criminological research in a variety of applied research settings.
• Discuss criminological topics with an appreciation of criminological theory, of evidence, limitations, and of relevance to current debates and present conclusions in a variety of appropriate academic formats.
• Employ effective interpersonal communication skills and techniques to interact with clients, team members and the community overall, working effectively and assertively in groups or teams to achieve desired goals and resolve differing and/or opposing ideas and points of view through the use of effective conflict management skills.
• Acknowledge the limits of knowledge in the field of social science and criminal justice through academic writing and professional practices.
• Adhere to the laws, codes, regulations, standards and practices to protect the health, safety and welfare of clients, the public and other professionals in the Criminal Justice System.
• Demonstrate ongoing self-reflection, self-awareness, self-confidence, self-direction, self-management and use resources to plan for and attain personal, career and work-related goals.

Work Placement
Students engage in one 420 hour field placement on a full-time or part-time basis. Field placements provide students with practical learning opportunities where they can apply theoretical and course-based content to real-world job experience. The field placements, which are typically unpaid, are arranged with the assistance of a placement advisor.