Jul 12, 2025  
2025-2026 Academic Calendar 
    
2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Criminology Diploma (CIP 45.0401)

Location(s): Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St John, Tumbler Ridge


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A Diploma in Criminology will be awarded to students who complete the equivalent of two years of required first and second-year courses at Northern Lights College. The diploma is intended to prepare students for entry-level employment positions and for continued studies in academic and professional programs. Relevant areas of work and additional education include Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies, and Law Enforcement.

Career Prospects


By taking a planned combination of Northern Lights College courses, students may gain entry-level employment in or prepare for continued study in the following fields: lawyer, sheriff, police officer, correctional services, parole officer, probation officer, border services, aboriginal liaison officer, or detachment clerk.

Details


Intakes


Location Starting Type
Chetwynd* Fall Full-Time Part-Time   
Winter Full-Time Part-Time  
Spring Full-Time Part-Time  
Dawson Creek Fall Full-Time Part-Time   
Winter Full-Time Part-Time  
Spring Full-Time Part-Time  
Fort St John Fall Full-Time Part-Time   
Winter Full-Time Part-Time  
Spring Full-Time Part-Time  
Fort Nelson* Fall Full-Time Part-Time   
Winter Full-Time Part-Time  
Spring Full-Time Part-Time  

(Fort Nelson and Chetwynd offerings are available, but students at these locations must consult with the Program Chair before enrolling in the program to ensure course availability.)

Length


60 credits (900 hours), minimum.

This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester.  Part-time studies will take longer. Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.

Estimated Program Fees


Program fee type: Academic

Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.

Domestic Fees

  Tuition Student Fees Instruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
Total
Year 1 $ 3,726.30 $ 152.76 $ 0.00 $ 3,879.06
Year 2 (estimated) $ 3,800.83 $ 155.83 $ 0.00 $ 3,956.66

International Fees

  Tuition Student Fees Instruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
International
Medical Insurance
Total
Year 1 $ 11,580.00 $ 149.76 $ 0.00 $ 289.80* $ 12,557.76
Year 2 (estimated) $ 12,300.00 $ 152.75 $ 0.00   $ 13,280.75

*Per four months

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Admission Requirements


A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix A) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050 , or ENGL 099 . Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement. 

B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements)

C. Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040 , or equivalent. Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050  as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.

Note that some course options have specific prerequisites.  Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses

Important Notes


  1. This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit Student Aid BC to apply for financial assistance online.  Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
  2. Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
  3. Transfer agreements allow graduates to receive:

a. Under the terms of an amended block-transfer agreement with Royal Roads University (RRU), Northern Lights College students who complete the Diploma will be eligible for block transfer into the third year of a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Justice Studies at RRU, provided all other entrance criteria are met and space remains available. NLC students should understand that entrance to all programs at RRU is on a competitive basis.

b. Northern Lights College does not have a block transfer agreement with Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) School of Criminology. However, the NLC diploma has been designed to meet lower-division requirements for SFU’s BA in Criminology. In this case, transfer credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis. Accordingly, NLC students who complete the diploma may also be eligible for admission into upper division course work in SFU’s School of Criminology. Students planning to transfer to SFU should choose elective courses that articulate to SFU.

c. NLC students are responsible for confirming admission requirements, application procedures, transfer credit, and graduation requirements at all receiving institutions. 

Program Requirements


Residency Requirement 25% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College; note that a minimum 60% or ‘C’ grade is required for courses to be considered for transfer into this program. The age of the course will also be considered in course transfer.
Minimum Grade Requirements 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses

Required Courses:


The Criminology Diploma is comprised of the follwing 20 courses (ten of which would have been completed as part of the Criminology Certificate):

Electives


Choose three electives at the 100- or 200-level, chosen from a variety of disciplines.

Credential


Diploma in Criminology

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