Criminology and History Double Major

Applicants interested in the double major program in Criminology and History must apply for admission to one of the major programs (Criminology, Economics and Finance, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology), or to Undeclared Arts. Students are not admitted directly to a double major.

The Faculty of Arts accepts applications for transfer to a double major program in the second semester of studies. Approved transfer students commence studies in the double major program in second year.  Further details on the process will be provided by the Faculty of Arts during the first semester.

Students of History and Criminology will gain a greater appreciation of the structural, administrative, political and professional context of the criminal justice system and agencies associated it while exploring the complex relationships among cultures and peoples, political and legal systems, ideas and issues, over time and place. Combining theoretical, historical, and critical thinking with opportunities for experiential learning, the Double Major encourages students to question assumptions underpinning administrative practice and policies and engage with and showcase their understanding of how to put knowledge into action in meaningful ways.

The core goals of the double major are to graduate students who will be able to:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the complexity of law, society, and access to justice over time;
  
• identify key historical issues from a diverse spectrum of regions, cultures, and time periods, and distinguish and evaluate overlapping, and sometimes competing, narratives;
  
• apply historical knowledge, drawn from a broad range of sources to help interpret contemporary events and issues, whether local, national, or global in character and particularly as they relate to criminal justice;
  
• critically analyze and understand criminal justice processes, practices, programs, and services;
  
•  identify the implications of cultural and social diversity for justice and equity within and outside of the criminal justice system, as well as the important role of communities, not-for-profit and private-sector agencies in delivering justice;
  
• understand the impact of structural inequalities (e.g., gender, race, class, legal status) on individuals, communities, and criminal justice outcomes over time;
  
• critically analyze oral, written, and other forms of evidence;
• develop probing research questions, conduct effective research, and persuasively communicate the results of their inquiry in a variety of oral and written modes;
• demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge and skills by acting as responsible academic and community citizens, both locally and globally.

Students in the Criminology and History Double Major will be able to deploy their strong research, analytical and communication skills in a variety of careers in the public and private sector. These may include the criminal justice system itself, community-based justice agencies, public service, museums and creative industries, education, academic research and teaching, law business and the nonprofit sector. Graduates may also choose to continue their studies at graduate level in fields such as History, Socio-Legal Studies, Criminology, and Law.

The curriculum builds on a foundational year of interdisciplinary study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, followed by three years of more specialized study in Criminology and History. Students take a combination of 13 required and elective courses in Criminology and 13 required and elective courses in History, as well as 6 liberal studies courses.

Semesters One and Two: The first year is a Common Arts Platform, which is shared with the BA programs in Criminology, Economics and Finance, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology. Students gain a broad, interdisciplinary base of knowledge, skills, and methodologies. Students are introduced to Criminology through introductory courses that provide an overview and assessment of the administration of the criminal justice system in Canada, the main theories of criminality and the nature and extent of crime in Canada. Students also take one required History course, HIS 101, and choose a second History course from across a range of themes, time periods, and geographical contexts. Students also acquire skills and knowledge in two foundational courses, Academic Writing and Research, and Critical Thinking, and choose electives from a broad range of areas.

Semesters Three and Four: In second year, students take their third foundational Common Arts Platform course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods. Students also take the first of the Department of History’s signature Historian’s Craft (or H-Craft) offerings, Reading, Writing and Using History, as well as Hearing, Seeing and Speaking History. They study the contents of criminal law in Canada, the role and experience of victims of crime, and concerns about social inequality in the criminal justice system. They are also introduced to quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Semesters Five and Six: In the third year, students take two additional Historian’s Craft courses and courses which study criminal justice issues in greater depth, exploring such topics as youth justice, aboriginal justice, the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Additionally, students select from a wide range of electives in History and Criminology and in liberal studies that broaden their educational endeavours and enhance their career preparation.

Semesters Seven and Eight: In their final year of study, students satisfy any remaining elective requirements and take the required capstone seminars. Electives may include an independent research paper or an advanced practicum course. These capstone courses are designed to develop depth in the disciplines and sharpen students’ professional competencies.
 

In order to transfer to the Criminology and History Double Major from any of Criminology, Economics and Finance, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology, students are encouraged to present a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (B) in their first semester studies at Toronto Met to maximize their chances for consideration, subject to competition and available second-year spaces. Possession of the minimum cumulative grade point average does not guarantee program transfer. Students must:

1. have a CLEAR Academic Standing at the end of the Winter term of their second semester of studies; and
   
2. For students admitted Fall 2024 and before: have successfully completed CRM 100 and one HIS course numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 or one of HIS 461, HIS 462, HIS 475 and HIS 490. It is strongly recommended that students also complete CRM 102 and one additional HIS course numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 or one of HIS 461, HIS 462, HIS 475 and HIS 490 in first year.
   
   For students admitted Fall 2025 and after: have successfully completed CRM 100 and HIS 101. It is strongly recommended that students also complete CRM 102 and one HIS course numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 or one of HIS 461, HIS 462, HIS 475 and HIS 490 in first year.
3.  HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses with departmental approval.
   

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Criminology courses and History courses and PHL 214 are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Criminology courses and History courses are not available for credit.

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2025 and after.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).