Doctorate in Philosophy Criminology at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Criminology at the University of Ottawa is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues in criminology and criminal justice policies. This program emphasizes the scientific analysis of crime, justice, and social control, addressing critical questions about societal norms, criminalization, and the functioning of the criminal justice system. Students will engage in methodologically sound original research, preparing them for advanced roles in academia and research. The program is offered in both English and French, ensuring accessibility for a diverse student body.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Criminology program is structured to provide a robust academic foundation and research experience. The key features of the program include:

Program Length: Typically spans over four years.
Students are required to complete a series of compulsory and elective courses.
In-depth training in research methodology is a core component.
Students will participate in a comprehensive examination and develop a thesis proposal.
Options for field placements or internships may be available, enhancing practical experience.

This structure is designed to foster critical thinking and research skills, preparing graduates for various professional paths in criminology and related fields.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Criminology program offers several unique experiences that enhance the learning journey:

Co-op opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience in the field.
Field placements that provide hands-on learning in real-world settings.
Access to a thesis advisory committee for personalized guidance throughout the research process.
Participation in seminars that focus on current conceptual issues in criminology.
Engagement in comprehensive examinations that assess students' knowledge and research capabilities.

These experiences are designed to enrich the academic experience and prepare students for future careers in criminology.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Criminology program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Criminologist: Conduct research and analyze crime trends to inform policy and practice.
Policy Analyst: Evaluate and develop policies related to crime and justice at governmental or organizational levels.
Academic Researcher: Engage in scholarly research and publish findings in academic journals.
Consultant: Provide expert advice to organizations on crime prevention and criminal justice reform.
Forensic Psychologist: Work with law enforcement and legal systems to assess criminal behavior and provide insights into criminal cases.

These roles leverage the advanced knowledge and research skills developed during the program, contributing to the field of criminology and public safety.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Criminology, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

Average time to completion

16 terms

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based) English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based) French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based) IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based) IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Written work: a sample of a written work (15 to 20 pages) Description of your research project Resume required Confirmation of supervision (Please upload an email confirmation of supervision from your potential supervisor via uoDoc) Applicants are advised that all admission documents are considered final once submitted. Revised, updated, or replacement documents will not be accepted after submission. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

All applicants must be able to understand speak and write either English or French proficiently. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable tests is indicated in the “Admission” section of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

In accordance with University of Ottawa policy, students have a right to produce their written work and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

Second Language Requirement

Students who are not bilingual at the time of admission may take a placement test upon admission and, depending on their score, they will have to take and pass second language course(s) (e.g. FLS 2513) to ensure they attain the required standard by the end of their fourth year of studies.

Transfer from Master’s to PhD Program

Students in a master’s program who have achieved an 80% (A-) average in their last two years of undergraduate studies may be allowed to transfer to the PhD program without being required to write a master’s thesis provided they meet the following conditions:

Completion of 5 graduate courses (15 units) with a grade of A- or better in each.
Satisfactory progress in the research program.
Written recommendation from the supervisor and the thesis advisory committee.
Approval by the graduate studies committee.

The request to transfer must be made during the fourth term of enrollment or earlier. The student must enroll in the PhD in the fifth or, at the latest, in the sixth term. Following transfer, all the requirements of the doctoral program must be met.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!