Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Welcome to Criminology and Criminal Justice at Carleton University

ICCJ 2025/2026 Student Awards

ARAC Student Essay and Community Engagement awards

Criminology Electives

CCJ Approved Electives

Field Placement

Get Practical Experience

Honours Thesis

See opportunities for research

Program Summary

Why Criminology and Criminal Justice?

Most of us consume a high dose of the three traditional ‘Cs’ of criminology and criminal justice: crime, cops, and corrections. Fictional and news media coverage of criminalized individuals and criminal law actors and institutions are key components of our lives. Working towards greater justice requires time, energy, resources, commitment and imagination. Criminology and Criminal Justice examines what is socially constituted as crime, why and whether we should punish, the origins and function of police and prisons, and how to think outside the box of criminal justice. The field of Criminology is key to understanding and achieving a more just society while also preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged, and employable community members.