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In response to the growing interest in the study of crime and the societal responses to crime, the University of New Brunswick is launching a new program in criminology and criminal justice on the Fredericton campus in the fall of 2022.  

“The University of New Brunswick is dedicated to providing students with a transformational education that helps them develop the skills and confidence to manage complexity, think critically and communicate clearly,” says Dr. Kathy Wilson, UNB’s vice-president academic. “The criminology and criminal justice program will give students the tools to become problem solvers and leaders who address societal challenges and engage with partners to build a more just and inclusive world.”

Launched within the faculty of art’s department of sociology, this holistic program includes an examination of the causes and consequences of criminal activities and criminalization processes and the study of responses, focusing on the comprehension of law and the operation of the Canadian criminal justice system. 

Students enrolled in the program can choose to take a minor, major or honours in criminology and criminal justice. The program is intended for anyone interested in pursuing a wide range of career paths, including law enforcement, corrections, human rights, social policy research, advocacy, immigration and forensics, among others. 

The program has a strong connection with civic society and various hubs of research excellence and is offered by leading researchers and scholars in social justice. Students will be exposed to a wide range of research- and practice-oriented quantitative and qualitative methodologies and practices and provided with internship opportunities in a variety of centres with immense scope and impact.  

"The criminology and criminal justice program at UNB will not only provide students with a solid grounding in the skills and knowledge to be competitive in the job market, but will introduce them to real-world problems and solutions related to crime, deviance, delinquency and criminal justice,” says Dr. David Hofmann, director of the criminology and criminal justice program at UNB.

“Our diverse faculty have both practical and research experience working with government agencies, NGOs, advocacy groups, the Canadian legal system and more, and this translates to the classroom experience that UNB offers. Our professors don't just teach criminology, but are involved in diverse research projects and initiatives that have a meaningful impact on Canadian society and beyond."

Media contact: Kelsey Pye 
Photo: Dr. Carmen Gill, a professor of sociology who is part of UNB Fredericton's criminology and criminal justice program. Credit: Cameron Fitch/UNB Media Services