Justice Studies
Staff
Department Head: A. Patenaude, Ph.D.
Justice Studies Graduate Program Chair: N. Jones, Ph.D.
Police Studies Graduate Program Coordinator: N. Jones, Ph.D.
Associate Professor(s): M. Hurlbert, LL.M.; N. Jones, Ph.D., A. Patenaude, Ph.D., R. Ruddell, Ph.D.
Faculty Associate(s): A. Desmarais, Ph.D., J. Mulvale, Ph.D.
Lecturer: M. Stewart, M.A.
Department Description
The MA in Justice Studies offers grounding in theoretical issues and methodological approaches to various aspects of justice, including legal, criminal, restorative, and social justice. This is an interdisciplinary degree that draws on a range of university resources to individualize students’ programs and to explore justice from a range of perspectives.
Research opportunities are available in the following areas:
- The social contexts of crime
- Critical analysis of judicial processes, correctional and restorative justice programs, and victims' services
- Social justice issues and movements related to economic equality, political participation, gender equality, ethno-cultural identity, and other aspects of inequality and injustice
- International justice, human rights, and social development, including alternative models of globalization and the role of international organizations.
Degree Requirements (30 credit hours)
The M.A. program will normally consist of 4 courses (12 credit hours) and the preparation of a suitable thesis (18 credit hours). At least two of these courses must be graduate Justice Studies courses.
Students must take one course selected from the following list:
- JS 800
- SOC 804
- SOC 805
- PSYC 803
One course selected from the following list:
- JS 801
- PHIL 890AD
- SOC 803
Two courses selected from the following list. The choice is based on the individual student's research interests. Other courses may be substituted with permission of the student's supervisor, the Department Head, and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
- JS 805, 810, 820, 880, 890
- SOC 808
- PSYC 810, 811, 820, 822
- ANTH 810
- HIST 801, 814
- INDG 800, 801
- PHIL 880AA-ZZ, 890AA-ZZ
- PSCI 803, 804, 824, 833, 843
- WGST 880AA, 880AB
Thesis research (18 credit hours)
- MA Thesis. The thesis topic and the research for it are supervised by the student's graduate committee, in particular the Thesis Supervisor. All students will have a Thesis Supervisor at the time of admission. Normally, a Masters thesis takes about a year to complete.
Financial Assistance is available to qualified students. Students can apply for Scholarships, Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships and other awards offered by the Department of Justice Studies or the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Eligibility requirements and application deadlines can be found on this site.
Application Procedures
All information regarding graduate study at the University of Regina including application forms and admission requirements can be found at the Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research web site. Students should familiarize themselves with the information provided there. The site provides the most current information on graduate study including policies, fees, scholarships, admission and registration
The minimum requirement for admission to a graduate program at the University of Regina is an undergraduate degree with a minimum average of 70%. Please note that acceptance into the MA in Justice Studies is based on the entire application package, and not merely your undergraduate record.
Assessment of Applications
The Department of Justice Studies considers all of the following in assessing potential graduate students and in making recommendations for acceptance to the Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research.
- ability to conceptualize justice
- readiness to undertake graduate work and complete the degree successfully
- ability to undertake research and prepare a thesis with an in-depth analysis of aspects of justice or policing
- relevant combinations of academic and/or professional experience
- our ability to provide appropriate coursework and thesis supervision
Students who do not have sufficient background may be eligible for admission as qualifying students. After successfully completing one or more qualifying courses, a change in status to fully-qualified can take place.
Application deadline: The Department accepts applications at any time during the year. However, to ensure consideration for entry in
- September, applications must be received by March 31
The Department will try to assess applications received after these dates, but cannot guarantee admission decisions for Fall or Winter, respectively.
Course Descriptions
JS 800 Research Techniques in Justice Studies (3)
The course critically examines issues and techniques relating to
quantitative and qualitative social science research as it is
related to Police and Justice Studies. The course uses the case
method as well as seminar and lecture formats.
JS 801 Multidisciplinary Theoretical Perspectives on Justice (3)
An examination of the nature and foundations of justice, and its
various meaning (such as retribution, getting what one deserves,
righteousness, equality, procedural fairness, and restoration
of harmony and balance). The course draws upon religious thought,
philosophy, legal concepts, economic and social theory, and Indigenous
cultures and teachings.
JS 805 Graduate Research Seminar on Justice (3)
Students will undertake research on topics relating to justice and present the results to fellow students and interested faculty.
JS 810 Crime and Society (3)
The course examines the social processes involved in the definition
and measurement of crime. Students critically examine alternate
theoretical explanations of these processes and issues in the
conflict of law. The course uses the case method as well as seminar
and lecture formats.
JS 820 Contemporary Issues in Justice and the Law (3)
This course will provide students with a brief historical review of justice and an in-depth examination of the major contemporary justice issues.
JS 880AA-ZZ Selected Topics in Justice Studies (3)
Selected topics in Justice Studies to be offered as required.
JS 890AA-ZZ Directed Readings in Justice Studies (3)
Directed readings in Justice Studies
JS 901 Research (Variable 3-15)
Thesis Research
