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Faculty of Arts
UNB Fredericton

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Sociology

Criminology and criminal justice

Understanding crime and criminal behaviour

UNB’s Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) program explores the causes and consequences of crime, deviance and delinquency. Learn practical research and critical-thinking skills to help you detect, understand, reduce and prevent social problems within your community and beyond.

Our professors’ first-hand experience working with government, law enforcement, non-profits and the legal system will prepare you to make a meaningful impact in the work force.

Criminology course catalogue   Course requirements

Careers in criminology and criminal justice

Graduates will be well poised for careers in:

  • Law enforcement and policing;
  • Government;
  • Security;
  • NGOs; and
  • The legal and criminal justice system.

In these careers, you will impact individual lives and make your communities safer by helping to reduce social harms.

This program also provides a strong foundation to apply for professional post-graduate programs like law school, social work and education.

Completing a graduate degree allowed me to build on existing knowledge of criminology and the criminal justice system that I gained through previous professional employment. I have had opportunities to pursue research that will hopefully lead to policy change, in turn improving the lives of clientele I used to support on the front line. Faculty were all encouraging, and my supervisor was instrumental in the completion of my doctoral research concentrating on intimate partner violence and specialized court systems. As a result of working with a very dedicated supervisor and department, not only have I improved my skills in various research methodologies but I am also now connected to, and working with, academic and professional networks across the country.

— Mary, former student

Study options

Complete an honours, major or minor in criminology and criminal justice in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program.

Pursue graduate studies in criminology and criminal justice in the Sociology Masters of Arts (MA) and Doctoral (PhD) programs.

For more information, contact crim@unb.ca.

Holland College UNB Criminology and Criminal Justice Pathway

The Holland College–University of New Brunswick (UNB) Criminology and Criminal Justice Pathway offers students a streamlined and innovative route to completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice in just 3.5 years. This collaborative program combines UNB’s strong academic foundation with Holland College’s career-focused police training.

  • Accelerated completion of a UNB bachelor’s degree in 3.5 years
  • Integration of theoretical, critical, and applied learning
  • Designed for students interested in law enforcement, corrections, public safety, and justice-related careers
  • Small class sizes and personalized support
  • Hands-on, real-world learning opportunities through applied police training

Year 1 – UNB (Fredericton campus)

Students begin with foundational coursework in criminology and criminal justice at UNB.

Year 2 – UNB & Holland College

Students complete the fall term at UNB, then transition to Holland College’s Police Science (Cadet) program for winter and summer terms, combining classroom instruction with practical, on-the-job training.

Final year – UNB

Students return to UNB to complete their final semester and graduate with a UNB Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice


This pathway equips students with:

  • Strong critical thinking and investigative skills
  • Knowledge of the social and psychological dimensions of crime
  • Practical experience valued by employers in law enforcement, corrections, and justice-related fields
  • A solid foundation for graduate or professional studies

Students must apply to both UNB and Holland College for acceptance in the Pathway.

Next steps