Admission

Our admissions process is based upon a comparison of qualifications among those who apply. We consider a broad range of information about each candidate.  Our objective is to enroll a cohort each year that is both academically accomplished and diverse in interests, background, and experience.

Our primary considerations for admissions are previous academic performance, research interests and graduate performance potential. Applications include university transcripts, letters of reference, a statement of area of research interest, and a writing sample. The cumulative grade point average is a measure of past academic performance and potential performance as a graduate student. Assessments from qualified referees of an applicant's ability to undertake advanced work in criminology is another indicator or future academic performance. The statement of interest reflects what an applicant's areas of research interest are and why they want to pursue graduate studies in criminology. The writing sample reflects academic research and writing.

Admission is on an annual basis, starting each Fall term.

The application system is expected to open in late October or early November 2025 and will close at the end of January 2026 for the program starting in Fall 2026.

From the Academic Calendar

The minimum requirements for admission to graduate studies at Simon Fraser University are stated in the Graduate General Regulations.

Academic Requirements

Students admitted to the program will normally have completed the following before admission to the Master of Arts program in preparation for undertaking graduate course work:

• Undergraduate degree from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.33 scale.
• One (1) intermediate criminology theory course and two (2) intermediate research methods courses: one quantitative and one qualitative. 
  • Intermediate research methods courses taken in disciplines other than criminology will be considered.
  • Applicants who have not taken an intermediate criminology theory course should express how they came to be interested and knowledgeable in criminological theory in their application.

Students in the School of Criminology MA program are engaged in a great deal of reading, writing, and speaking, and must be able to understand and use highly nuanced academic language.

International applicants will not be required to complete an English-language test if they have completed a bachelor's degree or higher at an institution where the language of instruction and examination was in English in a country where English is the primary language; see the full list of countries from which an English language proficiency test is not required.

Applicants who have completed credentials in countries not on the list linked above are required to submit English language proficiency scores that meet or exceed the minimum scores on the following acceptable tests:

Applications submitted without valid test scores that meet the minimum as detailed above will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed and considered for admission. Applicants are discouraged from initiating an application prior to obtaining test scores that meet the minimum requirements as the application fee is non-refundable.

Note that the minimum English language test scores required by the School of Criminology are higher than the minimum test scores accepted for entry into Graduate Studies at SFU.  

Application Period

The application system is expected to open in late October or early November 2025 and will close at the end of January 2026 for the program starting in Fall 2026.

A complete application requires the submission of an online application form, the upload of supporting documents, and the submission of three (3) references from qualified referees by a deadline to be announced.

Step 1: Initiate an online application via goGRAD.

Step 2: Pay the non-refundable application fee.

• Graduate Studies assesses an application fee of $110 for applicants with Canadian transcripts and $150 for applicants with transcripts outside of Canada.
• The School of Criminology does not charge or collect the application fee and is unable to waive this fee. Exception: current SFU graduate students can request a fee waiver by contacting gradap@sfu.ca.
• Applicants have seven days to pay the application fee after initializing an application.
• Payment processing takes one to three business days.
• The application fee must be paid for the system to allow document upload and for the referees to be invited to submit reference letters.

Step 3: upload all required documents and ensure referees have sufficient time to submit a reference by the by a deadline to be announced.

ONLINE APPLICATION

The online application form requires the following information:

• Biographical data, including post-secondary academic institutions attended.
• Research keywords: a list of keywords describing research interests (maximum 10 words).
• Names and email addresses of three qualified referees to provide a reference.
  • Qualified referees are those who can speak to the applicant's academic performance and/or experience working in a field related to criminology.
  • Ideally, references should be provided by faculty members or individuals in a related professional field who hold at least a Master’s degree.
  • Referees receive an email with a link to the application portal, to which they upload a letter of reference on institutional letterhead in PDF format.
  • Reference letters should directly comment on the applicant’s ability to undertake a rigorous program of graduate studies.
  • Referees should be aware of the following: the British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows an applicant to have access to the information contained in his/her letters of reference where that can be done without disclosing the identities of the referees who supply a reference in confidence. It is understood between Simon Fraser University and the referee that the letter of reference is supplied in confidence unless stated otherwise.
  • Reference submission deadline: TBA

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The following documents are uploaded to the online application system:

Statement of Interest

This statement should not exceed 500 words. This statement expands on the research keywords submitted on the application form and should clearly indicate potential research supervisor(s).

Research Supervisor:

An applicant's likelihood of being admitted to the graduate program is influenced in part by their ability to identify a faculty member who is willing to supervise them during the course of their studies. Prior to applying to the program, applicants should contact faculty members whose research interests align with their own. Applicants should inquire with faculty members about their willingness to act as supervisor should the applicant be admitted. Applicants should clearly indicate in their Statement of Interest the name(s) of any faculty member with whom they had such a conversation. Applicants may include written correspondence between themselves and potential faculty supervisor(s) with permission of the faculty member(s).  

Contacting a Potential Supervisor:

To start a conversation with a potential supervisor, applicants should send an email that includes:

• Resume or CV
• Area of research interest
• Academic transcripts

In the body of the email, the applicant should explain how their educational, research and/or career experiences have prepared them for the selected area of research and align with the potential supervisor's research interests. A full research proposal is not required, but the general area(s) of research should be described.

Writing Sample

One (1) English-language, sole-authored writing sample from the last two (2) years of the applicant’s most recent degree. This paper should provide a positive indication of the applicant’s academic and research potential, and should contribute to at least one area of theory, research, and policy.

Common examples of a writing sample include (but are not limited to):

• A published paper.
• An MA or Honour’s thesis.
• An empirical paper (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods) completed as part of upper division coursework.
• A policy paper.
• A literature review that demonstrates critical thinking regarding criminology theory and related research.

Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary academic institution attended are sufficient for the purposes of application. The grading scale must be visible on the transcript. If the unofficial transcript does not include a grading scale, an official transcript that includes the grading scale must be uploaded. Cumulative Grade Point Averages (CGPAs) cannot be calculated without a grading scale.

If admission to the university is offered, submission of official transcripts directly to Graduate Studies will be required.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A CV is required for all MA applications. The CV should provide evidence of the applicant’s ability to undertake a rigorous program of graduate studies in criminology and engage in research.  

Notes:

• All application documents, including submissions from all three referees, must be submitted by a deadline to be announced.
• Applicants will be informed by the end of March about the status of their application.
• We do not confirm the receipt of documents. Applications are periodically updated as documents are received and applicants are encouraged to check the status via the online system.

The School of Criminology actively invites applications from Indigenous persons – they may self-identify via the online application. As part of efforts to facilitate student success in graduate school, SFU Criminology is committed to ensuring that Indigenous graduate students also receive resources required to support a wide range of academic interests. Some of these resources are linked below.

SFU Graduate Studies - Supporting Indigenous Graduate Studesnts

SAGE - Supporing Aboriginal Graduate Students

Indigenous Academia Resources