CRIM 4800: Practicum in Criminology and Justice

• About

• Practicum Events

• FAQs

• Contact

Offered every spring semester, the practicum course provides students with an opportunity to gain practical field experience by volunteering within a criminal justice or community organization. Students are supervised and mentored throughout their placements by an agency representative and the Practicum Coordinator.

By participating in the practicum, students are able to further their personal and professional development through applying knowledge and skills acquired from academic studies to practicum placements. The skills students gain through their practicum experiences are highly transferable and give students a strong advantage when applying for jobs or graduate school.

Students will volunteer at their practicum placements for approximately 32 hours per week from January to the beginning of April. Students will also complete assignments addressing theoretical and practical issues relating to their placements, as well as attend periodic seminars.

To obtain a placement, students work with the Practicum Coordinator beginning in September. Only students who obtain a placement with approval from the Practicum Coordinator will be able to register for the practicum course. The placement process is competitive and placement for all students cannot be guaranteed.

In the past, students have completed placements at a variety of agencies, including police departments, law firms, correctional facilities, private investigation firms, halfway houses, probation offices, anti-gang youth initiatives, advocacy groups, restorative justice groups, and victim services organizations.

Practicum in Criminology Student Presentations

Students will present on their experiences and insights gained through their practicum placements. Everyone is welcome to come for all or some of the presentations. Email CRIMPracticum@kpu.ca to RSVP.

When: Spring 2025 date TBD 

Where: Surrey Conference Center

Moderator: Kristi Wijnsma, Criminology Practicum Coordinator

What is the Criminology practicum?

The Criminology Practicum is a semester long course where students obtain relevant real world work experience by volunteering with criminal justice and community organizations.

How many credits is the practicum worth?

The course is worth 12 credits.

Can I take other courses while I do the practicum?

You are allowed to take one course in addition to the practicum; however, we typically recommend that you only take the practicum so you can gain the most from the course.

When is the practicum offered?

The practicum is offered every spring semester (January-April) and is aimed at students who are in the final year of their Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.

What is the time commitment?

You will be volunteering approximately 32 hours per week for the semester. In addition, there will be mandatory in-class sessions 4 times throughout the term. You also need to be able to have time to complete some written assignments and prepare a portfolio and presentation. There is no exam for this course.

How do I apply?

Apply by submitting an online application. The application deadline is September 15, 2024 for the Spring 2025 session. 

What pre-requisites do I need to apply?

In order to qualify for the practicum, you need to be set to have completed 90 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including CRIM 4400. You also need to have 6 credits from ENGL at the 1100 level or higher. These pre-requisites must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to the practicum course in January.

I have applied to the practicum. What now?

You will receive e-mail confirmation of receipt of your application. You will then be contacted to arrange a meeting with the coordinator where you will go over any questions and discuss what types of placements would be ideal for you. After that meeting, you will begin to search and apply for placements.

How do I get a practicum placement?

You will be provided with a list of potential placements that you can apply to. You are also encouraged to search for your own placements. You will apply to placements by submitting your resume and possibly cover letter. You will then be contacted if you have been shortlisted for an interview. Once you are offered and accept a placement, you will be given permission to register for the course.

Do I receive a letter grade?

Yes. Your letter grade will result from evaluations of your assignments, supervisor reports, and a final presentation.

How much does it cost to take the practicum course?

The fees for CRIM 4800 are the same as if you were taking 12 credits of courses. Occasionally, you will be required to pay for a criminal record check which can cost up to $75.00.

Can I be placed with Canada Border Services Agency?

CBSA does not host volunteers or practicum students, so we are unable to place you with them; however, you can obtain relevant work experience in another placement (such as with a private security firm or police department) that will be beneficial to you if you later choose to apply for a job with the CBSA.

Can I be placed with the RCMP?

RCMP placements require enhanced security clearance that can take up to 6 months to acquire. If you already have RCMP clearance, it is possible that you may be able to have a practicum placement with the RCMP; however, if you do not already have this clearance, you won’t be able to have it completed in time to set up a placement. If you are interested in policing, you can apply for a placement with one of the local municipal police departments.

General inquiries: CRIMPracticum@kpu.ca         

Practicum Coordinator: Kristi Wijnsma, Kristina.Wijnsma@kpu.ca. 

Practicum Administrative Assistant: Christina Neufeld, CRIMPracticum@kpu.ca

If you would like to host a practicum student at your agency or organization, please complete the Practicum Placement Posting form.

Back to Department Home Page