Police Studies

Graduate Co-ordinator: Stuart Wilson, PhD

Please note admission to this program has been suspended until further notice.

Department Description

The MA in Police Studies is offered by the Department of Justice Studies. It is directed to police officers and other professionals associated with Canadian police forces, whether federal or municipal, who wish to research topics relevant to policing and police services. The program has an interdisciplinary focus and draws upon several departments of the Faculty of Arts, together with other partners, to provide a social science perspective on policing, and the opportunity to pursue research into specific aspects of that activity. Among them are:

• Policing in a Liberal Democracy
• Policing and Rights
• Policing and Aboriginal People
• Crime and Society
• Equity and Race Issues in Policing
• Policing and Alternative Approaches to Justice

Mid-Career Option

A limited number of mid-career managers with suitable police experience but who lack an undergraduate degree may be admitted to the MAPS program, provided that they complete a qualifying program. In order to be considered for this program, candidates must meet the admission requirements for undergraduate students, and have a minimum of five years of experience in a management or supervisory position with a policing organization. All qualifying courses must be passed with a grade no less than 70%. Qualifying students may be discontinued from their program if they receive one grade less than 70%. All other entrance requirements for the MAPS program apply.

Mid-Career Option Qualifying Course Requirements:

• ENGL 100 or equivalent
• SOST 203
• INDG 100
• JS 210
• Two courses from the Policing in Society group:
  • HJ 310, 315, 351, 380AA, 421, 431, 433
  • SOC 215, 315
• One other course in Human Justice or cross-listed equivalents
• One other elective course of the student's choosing

If qualifying students have already taken some of the above courses or equivalents, they may be eligible for advanced standing in such courses. A proposed qualifying program must be approved by the coordinator of the Police Studies program.

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 website. 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 Police Studies is based on the entire application package, and not merely your undergraduate record. Alternative entry into Police Studies is currently under development. Prospective students should contact the Coordinator of Police Studies for more information.

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 for either degree 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.

Courses

Course descriptions and offerings