Criminology Diploma
Diploma
| Type | Part Time Full Time |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 years |
| Campus | Prince George |
| Delivery | In Class |
| Fees* |
Check fee schedule
International Check fee schedule
*All fees are an estimate. |
| Starting Semesters | Fall 2026 Spring 2027 |
Overview
Graduates of the Criminology Diploma program are employed in nearly every aspect of the justice system. Work activities might include protecting the public, detecting and preventing crime, probation supervision, social advocacy, counselling or conducting research.
Careers and Opportunities:
Criminology students are sought after for their knowledge of crime, their understanding of the Canadian legal system, and their critical thinking skills. With your Criminology Diploma you can explore careers in areas such as:
- Police Officer
- Corrections Officer
- Probation Officer
- Crime Analyst
- Researcher
Graduates may also further their education in criminology, law, political science, psychology, and social work, building on the foundational skills gained at CNC.
Diplomas from CNC transfer into university programs and give you preferential admission at public universities and university-colleges in BC. (Consult the British Columbia Transfer Guide and check with CNC advisors to verify transferability of credits.)
What You Will Learn:
The Criminology Diploma provides introductions and theoretical foundations that apply to every aspect of the justice system, including:
- Legal Rights and Responsibilities
- Insights into Criminal Psychology
- Sociology of Deviance and Crime
- Policing
- Criminal Law
- Corrections and Prisons
Courses
Graduates of the Criminology Diploma program are employed in nearly every aspect of the justice system. Work activities might include protecting the public, detecting and preventing crime, probation supervision, social advocacy, counselling or conducting research. Graduates may also continue their education in criminology, social work, psychology, law and related social and behavioural sciences.
CORE required courses
CRIM-101
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary subject of criminology. Students are oriented to criminology as a profession, and as a historically specific body of knowledge. Criminology is situated as a scientific discipline guided by diverse theoretical trajectories and methods of analysis. The explanatory capacity of criminological approaches to crime, criminality, and social control encourages a focus on current issues related to crime, and the administration of justice.PSYC-101
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This general survey course includes topics such as a brief history of psychology, basic research methodology, biological psychology, sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, memory, language and thought.SOC-101
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This course is an introduction to the basic sociological theories and methods for studying individuals, groups, and institutions with Canadian materials and Indigenous content. Topics will include culture, socialization, families, education, gender, aging, and deviance. These concerns will be illustrated and developed with Canadian materials.CRIM-102
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is an introduction to, and critical examination of, psychological approaches to criminal and deviant behavior. Surveying a variety of psychologically informed explanations of crime and deviance, such as biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, and cognitive theories, this course examines hypothesized/causal links between criminality and genetics, mental disorders, personal, and moral development.PSYC-102
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is a continuation of PSYC 101. Topics include developmental psychology, intelligence and intelligence testing, personality and personality assessment, motivation, emotion, stress and health, social psychology, an introduction to psychological disorders and their treatment.SOC-102
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course examines topics that include the characteristics and changes in the general population, local and Indigenous communities and ethnic groups This course also looks at social movements, political parties, work settings, and religious organizations. These concerns are illustrated and developed with Canadian materials.CRIM-103
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This introductory course explores the structure and operation, and the legal and social organization of the Canadian Criminal justice system. The accused is followed from initial contact with the police to a final disposition on the street, at court, or in the correctional system. The rights and responsibilities, patterns of contact and conflict, and discretionary practices of all participants in the proceedings are examined in terms of their fairness and effectiveness.ENGL-103
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
A study of grammar, composition, and style. A vigorous program of essay-writing plus a variety of writing assignments or exercises dealing with specific problems in essay-writing. Strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their writing skills.CRIM-106
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
This course examines classical and contemporary sociological perspectives and theories of crime and deviance. The assumptions, and strengths and weaknesses, of each theory are critically assessed. Each of the sociological theories explored is evaluated in terms of its contemporary utility and practical applicability in Canadian criminal justice policy.CRIM-135
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Mackenzie |
Description
A general introduction to the fundamental and competing principles of jurisprudence and the basic legal institutions of Canada. This course considers the history of Canadian law, the development of the Canadian constitution, the system of Canadian courts, and the roles and responsibilities of legal professionals. Other topics include the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, principles of statutory interpretation, and introduces the fields of contract, torts, administrative and family law, and the process of law reform in Canada.CRIM-220
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is an introduction to research in the social sciences that will develop students' research and analytical skills. Specifically, the course will focus on theoretical inquiry, quantitative and qualitative research logics, and the process and structure of research, including: research design, data collection and analysis, and an introduction to report writing.CRIM-230
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course narrows down the understanding of Canadian Law through honing in on the nature, scope, sources, and basic principles of criminal law. Topics of study and critical examination include, fundamental legal concepts, such as mens rea, negligence, and strict liability; criminal responsibility in Canada; legislative policies expressed in the Criminal Code; basic elements of a criminal offence; actus reus and mens rea; and legal principles relating to crimes and their defences.PHIL 101, 102, 110 or 220
PHIL-101
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Burns Lake, Mackenzie, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Quesnel |
Description
Morality and ethics are framed socially and culturally in every human society, and are thus dependent on local, social, and historical contexts. This course surveys the development of moral philosophy in the Western tradition. Students will review major thinkers and texts, identify the values and ideas that have shaped Western philosophical thought since 600 BC, and critically examine those contributions and positions in relation to the present through the lens of key moral questions.PHIL-102
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
This course introduces the ideals of Reason, Truth, and Knowledge in Western philosophy. Students will confront the fundamental possibility of knowledge by addressing questions such as: What distinguishes knowledge from opinion? Does evidence have to convince to constitute proof? Is truth dependent on agreement? Can perception show us how the world really is or merely how it appears to us? Should we believe only what there is sufficient evidence to support? How is faith related to knowledge and belief?PHIL-220
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
This course is an introduction to political philosophy in the Western (European) tradition. Students will study those ideas, principles, and values that were foundational to the making of dominant political frameworks in the West. They will also become familiar with the key figures that shaped and influenced modern Western political structures, policies, and governance and examine questions relating to the duties and obligations of the state towards its citizens, the submission of citizens to the laws of the state, and other relevant issues.MATH 104 or PSYC 201
MATH-104
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course is an introduction to the theory, techniques and applications of elementary statistics and statistical methodology. It is intended primarily for students majoring in health sciences, business, and liberal arts programs. Topics include descriptive statistics, sampling, elementary probability, probability distributions, statistical inference, correlation, linear regression and analysis of variance. Applications to a wide variety of real-world problems are emphasized.PSYC-201
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall/Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course introduces students to the concepts and applications of statistics in the social sciences. The focus will be on the analysis and interpretation of data using descriptive and inferential statistics. In the laboratory, students will gain experience with computerized data analysis.PSCI-100 or PSCI-131
PSCI-100
Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
Description
This course is designed to provide students with a basic foundation in the study of politics, government and society. The objective of this course is to introduce students to the complex world of politics, in order to develop the skills required to critically assess questions related to ideology, social justice, political organization, government policies and decisions. By learning about the essential concepts of politics, and the processes of government, students will develop the skills to be engaged yet critical citizens. Although much of the emphasis will be on Canadian politics, we will be focusing on political developments in other parts of the world.CRIM 201, 241, 250, or 260
CRIM-201
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course examines both historical and current issues related to policing in modern society. Topical emphasis will be on police roles, powers, accountability, discretion, surveillance, and technology. Analysis of these issues will be comparative between "public" and "private" methods of policing.CRIM-241
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Occasionally |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course explores the correctional system in Canada both inside prisons and outside in communities. Topics explored may include: the history and development of prisons in Canada; philosophies of punishment and incarceration; the structure, organization, and dynamics of correctional institutions; and, treatment and programming in Canadian corrections.CRIM-250
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course explores the history, theory, principles, and practice of restorative justice. Positioned against adversarial and retributive models of criminal justice that occupy much of the Canadian criminal justice system's landscape, restorative justice will be explored as an alternative model of transformative justice. Core restorative justice programs and models are explored alongside the keystakeholders, including victims, offenders, the community, and the specific roles they play in the administration of justice.CRIM-260
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course explores the nexus between women, crime, and criminal justice. Feminist theories and methods are employed to redress inaccuracies, misperceptions and/or skewed representations of women evidenced within the criminological discipline and the criminal justice system. Course topics include: the development of feminist criminology, media representations of criminality and women, "gender-blind" criminal justice policies, and the gendered dimensions of criminal act commission, criminal justice processing, incarceration, and employment in the criminal justice system.4 electives from approved subjects
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Spring 2027 Intake and Onwards
For applications to the Spring 2027 intake (January start), you must meet the following requirements:
- English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 050 or ENGL 051 (minimum “C-”) or
- Foundations of Math 11 or MATH 043 (minimum “C”) or .
Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our options.
Open admission
Any program of study that does not have a selective admission process or fixed capacity and is on a “first qualified, first admitted” basis.
| Type | Campus | Starts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Open for Applications |
|
|
|
Open for Applications |
Invest in your future
Please check the for up-to-date information.
These costs are an estimate and do not include books. Costs may change without notice. Student fees vary by campus.
Books for this program can be purchased from the bookstore.
Paying for college
We're here to help. You can apply for scholarships and bursaries through CNC. We can also help you find loans and other funding.
Salaries and employment
Looking for a job? Check the student employment opportunities.
Get More Information
Highlights
$89,681
Median Annual Earnings
For Probation and Parole Officers
1,120
Forecasted Job Openings
For Correctional Service Officer positions
