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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

Stuart Wilson

Associate Department Head

James Gacek

Practicum Coordinator

David Flomo

Announcements and Events

Stephen Hart Talk

Discover Why Violence Risk Assessment Is the Most Fascinating Topic in the World

 

Join us on January 29, 2025, for a thought-provoking talk by Dr. Stephen D. Hart, Professor of Psychology at Simon Fraser University, and a global authority on violence risk assessment.

Talk Details:
📅 Date: January 29, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
📍 Location: ED 193

 Why Attend?

Dr. Hart’s expertise bridges the worlds of psychological theory and real-world application, offering innovative insights into violence risk assessment and management. His contributions have shaped policies and practices internationally, influencing fields such as psychology, law, corrections, and social policy.

This engaging talk is open to all members of the university community—students, faculty, and staff—and will explore how research and practice intersect to address one of society’s most pressing challenges.

Don’t miss the chance to learn from a leader in forensic psychology. Whether you’re passionate about psychology, criminal justice, or simply intrigued by the topic, this event is for you!

This talk is sponsored by the Department of Psychology at the University of Regina.

RJ Conference

1st Undergraduate Restorative Justice Conference

 

We are delighted to invite you to the 1st Undergraduate Restorative Justice Conference, hosted by the Department of Justice Studies and the UR Restorative Justice Club at the University of Regina. This conference, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the University of Regina, will take place on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, at the University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan.

This event aims to promote awareness, foster innovation, and spark dialogue in the field of restorative justice. It will feature distinguished keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Monchalin, award-winning criminologist and bestselling author, alongside a series of insightful parallel breakout sessions led by experts and students. Sessions will explore key themes, including restorative justice in policing, courts, academic misconduct, and decolonization.

Highlights of the Conference Include:

  • Keynote Address by Dr. Lisa Monchalin, author of The Colonial Problem: An Indigenous Perspective on Crime and Injustice in Canada.
  • Parallel Breakout Sessions on major themes of restorative justice.
  • Justice Exhibition showcasing the work of justice partners and community organizations.
  • Opportunities for networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.

This conference offers a unique platform to engage with community members, academics, practitioners, and justice stakeholders, fostering meaningful dialogue on justice issues that matter.

To confirm your attendance, please RSVP via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-undergraduate-restorative-justice-conference-tickets-1117280759829?aff=oddtdtcreator

We look forward to welcoming you to this landmark event!

LFS Lecture

2025 Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Policing Studies Lecture

 

 

The University of Regina’s Justice Studies Department is pleased to invite the public to the 2025 Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Policing Studies Lecture, featuring renowned scholar Dr. Robert Brown from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Dr. Brown, a prominent expert on policing and race, will deliver a thought-provoking lecture titled "Race in the Line of Duty: Unpacking Its Impact on Policing Attitudes, Behaviors, and the Criminal Legal System". The lecture will explore the deep-rooted influences of race in policing practices, shedding light on its effects on both law enforcement and the broader criminal legal system.

As the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Policing Studies at the University of Regina, Dr. Amin Asfari is excited to host this important discussion on the intersection of race and policing, which remains a critical issue in today’s society. This event represents an invaluable opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research in the field.

The lecture is open to the public, and we encourage all those interested in issues of justice, race, and policing to attend.

The event will take place on February 27th, 2025 in CB 139, College Avenue Campus, 2155 College Avenue. Public parking is available behind the College Building and along College Avenue and Wascana Drive – please view this map for details.

Please register online to confirm your attendance.

Refreshments will be provided.

For more information or inquiries, please contact Dr. Amin Asfari at amin.asfari@uregina.ca.

FAQ: Prospective Students - Human Justice

What is a Bachelor of Human Justice degree?
The Bachelor of Human Justice (BHJ) is a 120-credit-hour degree with an applied professional focus. Students gain an in-depth understanding of justice related to criminal and social justice in both Canadian and international contexts.

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.
What are some of the career paths with a Bachelor of Human Justice degree?
Human Justice undergraduates have found careers in: law enforcement; corrections; anti-poverty work; human rights; mental health and substance abuse; community development; and policy and research among other justice fields.

FAQ: Prospective Students - Police Studies

What is a Bachelor of Arts in Police Studies?
The BA in Police Studies is a four-year degree, recognized as the best educational preparation for a career in policing in Saskatchewan.
Why would I want to get a degree if I want to be a police officer?
Contemporary policing is becoming increasingly professional, and that means that educational preparation is becoming increasingly important. The BA in Police Studies provides an excellent foundation for a successful application, and for a successful career.
How do I know that this is the "best" education I can get?

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.

What is the Police Studies Program like?
Students begin with three years of academic course work. They then apply for employment with a police service and, if successful, will attend the Saskatchewan Police College - which is located at the University of Regina. They are paid for this, and receive academic credit toward the degree. They complete the degree with a one-term internship with their police service.
What courses will I take?
There are some required courses, and other parts of the Program that give you the freedom to choose your own courses. You will learn about matters ranging from the place of law and policing in the contemporary world, to the diversity of Canadian society. If you want to learn more, you can go to the following website.
What if I'm not sure what I want to do?
The BA in Police Studies includes all the first year courses required in all Arts degrees - so it is easy to transfer to another major. Also, if you don't go to Police College after the third year, you can take one more year of courses and graduate with the BA in Justice Studies.
Is there anything else I can do with these courses?
These degrees (BA in Police Studies and BA in Justice Studies) are excellent preparation for a wide range of career paths. You might think about work in corrections, probation or parole, going to law school, or working in the rapidly growing field of investigations and security.
How do I enroll?
ll you do is apply for admission to the Faculty of Arts at the University of Regina. Once you are accepted you simply declare that your major is Police Studies. We have student counselors who will help you get into the right courses.
Is there anything else I should know?
You should know that the University of Regina will do whatever it can to make sure your studies go well, and to help you make a successful career. There are workshops to help you with things like writing papers or preparing job applications. There are career fairs on campus every year, just for Police Studies students, and other programs designed to guarantee that our students will have the best possible preparation for a career in policing. (And all these things are free!) We also have a graduate program, which is specially designed for people working in the policing field, and many other police-related activities, ranging from research with our police partners to international conferences.

E-mail the Department of Justice Studies

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