Department of Justice Studies
The Department of Justice Studies is home to two distinct undergraduate programs: the Bachelor of Human Justice, and the Bachelor of Arts in Police Studies. These innovative programs prepare students for a wide variety of careers in the justice field.
Justice Studies' courses draw upon various academic disciplines such as anthropology, criminology, economics, geography, history, law, psychology, religious studies, and sociology integrating criminal, restorative and legal justice, and importantly social justice and human rights.
Justice Studies students have the opportunity to prepare for justice careers as pre-service professionals applying their knowledge, skills and attitudes at community, provincial, national and international levels with police services, restorative justice programs, correctional facilities, probation and parole services, human rights organizations, social services, and advocacy organizations with government and community-based organizations. This aspect of our programs emphasizes the value of integrating theory in practice and through learning by doing.
Human Justice students complete two practicum placements in justice organizations where they gain valuable professional knowledge, skills and attitudes that will afford them a solid foundation in their chosen justice careers.
During the final year of the Police Studies program, Professional Track students seek competitive admission to become a police officer and complete a one-year program of police college and on-the-job training, while Academic Track students complete additional university courses and a police-oriented practicum experiential learning placement.
UR Restorative Justice Club
Per their mission statement, the UR Restorative Justice Club "aims to promote the principles and values of Restorative Justice through processes, including dialogue, campaigns, circles, conferences, education, outreach, and research with academics, community members, practitioners, post-secondary volunteers, and skilled facilitators."
Future events can be found via their Instagram page.
Contact Us
Department of Justice Studies
University of Regina
Classroom Building, CL 343
3737 Wascana Parkway
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Administrative Assistant
Corie Smith
Phone: 306-585-4779
Department Head
Associate Department Head
Practicum Coordinator
Announcements and Events
Justice Studies Research Presentation November 6
The Department of Justice Studies is pleased to invite members of the University of Regina community to the following lecture.
Date: Wednesday November 6 2024
Time: 1430-1545
Location: La Cite Building – CT 215
Speaker: Dr Jessica Templeman
Lecture: Removing Criminalized Migrants: Sentencing, Inadmissibility, and Race
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act authorizes the removal of permanent residents and foreign nationals for serious criminality where they are convicted of offences carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more, or where sentenced to more than 6 months incarceration. With the enactment of the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, permanent residents retain the right to appeal their removal but only if sentenced to less than six months imprisonment. Sentencing is, as a result, critical for determinations on removal in the immigration system and access to due process protections. My research broadly explores the establishment, evolution, and effects of these interconnections between the immigration and criminal systems in Canada. In this presentation, I draw from my doctoral project to trace the effects of decision making on sentence, exposing how the repetition of racist ideas in criminal courts functions to justify the application of sanctions that support the removal of racialized migrants. I contend that the immigration and criminal systems in Canada co-operate to support the exclusion and expulsion of racialized migrants from the nation.
Bio:
Jessica Templeman holds a Ph.D. in Socio-Legal Studies from York University. She held visiting scholar positions at Oxford University's Centre for Criminology and at the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies at the University of Toronto during the completion of her doctoral degree. Her SSHRC funded doctoral project broadly examined the nature and effects of discretionary considerations of collateral consequences at sentencing in Ontario based courts. She is currently in the process of translating her dissertation into a book manuscript for UBC Press. Dr. Templeman now holds a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia. Her postdoctoral work examines decision making on removal based on criminality in the immigration system.
This research presentation is being held as part of faculty recruitment in the Department of Justice Studies. Faculty, students and staff are invited and welcome to attend.
Justice Studies Research Presentation November 7
The Department of Justice Studies is pleased to invite members of the University of Regina community to the following lecture.
Date: Thursday November 7 2024
Time: 1430-1545
Location: Education Building, Room 314
Speaker: Dr Mary Aspinall
Lecture: Coercive Control in Intimate Partner Violence: Victims’ Experiences and Police Response
Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour designed to exploit, isolate, control, microregulate, and dominate victims, and the prevalence of this phenomenon in intimate partner violence (IPV) situations is gaining global attention. Police officers continue to be a primary resource for victims of IPV when they seek help; however, dissatisfaction with law enforcement responses is still present. Findings from narrative interviews conducted with survivors of severe IPV, and a national survey conducted with police officers to better understand their strategies when responding to IPV calls will be presented. Victims report positive and effective assistance from police when presenting evidence of physical abuse; however, were met with dismissal and minimization when disclosing ongoing abuse characterized by coercive control. Police officers themselves emphasized legal policy that encourages the concentration on perpetrating behaviours that involve physical violence and serious physical harm. As Canada is in the wake of a legislation shift in which coercive control will likely be criminalized, results stress the need for improved police training and risk assessment tools in order to effectively respond to all IPV situations.
Bio:
Dr. Mary Aspinall is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University. Her research concentrates on intimate partner violence (IPV), coercive control, specialized courts, and community-based intervention programs. Dr. Aspinall previously held frontline employment supporting victims of IPV and has, and continues to serve, on a variety of national research teams addressing domestic homicide, policing IPV and coercive control, and the assessment of family violence in family law proceedings.
This research presentation is being held as part of faculty recruitment in the Department of Justice Studies. Faculty, students and staff are invited and welcome to attend.
2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
On behalf of the University of Regina and the University of Regina Alumni Association (URRA), the Dept. of Justice Studies is pleased to announce that an alumna is receiving an Alumni Crowning Achievement Award this year:
Ashley Major BHJ’12 is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Award
The Alumni Crowning Achievement Awards (ACAAs) are one of the highest honours the University of Regina bestows upon its alumni. The University established the ACAAs in 1992 to honour its extraordinary alumni for their outstanding achievements and innovation, commitment to excellence, community engagement and leadership, and impact on the social, cultural, and economic well-being of our communities.
FAQ: Prospective Students - Human Justice
Students will acquire skills in analytical and critical thinking and human service practices complementing their general university studies and the liberal arts.
The Introductory and Advanced Practica are features of the BHJ program; students earning academic credit acquiring professional experience. Courses in the BHJ program are offered by faculty and practicing professionals.
The BHJ program prepares students for post-graduate work in fields such as law, criminology, justice studies, social justice, and human rights.
FAQ: Prospective Students - Police Studies
The BA in Police Studies has been recognized as the “best” in formal agreements signed by the Saskatchewan Police Commission, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers – the whole policing community in Saskatchewan. It has also been recognized formally by other organizations, such as the RCMP/GRC and the Edmonton Police Service.
The degree was developed by the University of Regina in partnership with the Saskatchewan Police Commission, the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, and was specifically designed to meet the needs of modern police services. An Advisory Board that includes members from all those groups oversees the Program at all times, which guarantees that it will always be up to date, and offer the best education available.