Victimology and Victim Studies minor

2025-2026 - UG - Major Program Modification (Create New Calendar Entry)

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(A) Proposal summary
Next
  • STEP 1 - Complete the proposal summary information
  • Home faculty*
    Choose your faculty from the list of available options.
  • Content type*
    Choose ‘program’, unless you are certain the content you are creating should be a shared core. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca if you require assistance.
  • Major Program Modification type*
  • Summary of proposed changes*

    To create a new minor in Victimology & Victim studies in FSSH.

    Provide a brief point by point summary of the changes included in this proposal.
  • Is there a change to total credit hours in the program?*
  • Is a new course associated with this proposal?*
    Select 'yes' only if you are adding a brand new course to the calendar copy in this proposal.

  • If applicable, list new course codes, course titles and include hyperlinks to course proposals in Curriculog in the 'new courses' field below. To hyperlink, open a new window and search for the new course proposal in Curriculog. Copy the url from your web browser, return to this form and select the hyper link icon. Paste the url into the url field and save.

  • New courses
  • Are you creating a new minor that is not associated with a standalone major?*
  • If you answered yes to the above question, please describe in detail the capacity available to deliver the minor.

    NA

  • Calendar start date*
    Choose when the change should first appear in the academic calendar (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • Registration start date*
    Specify the first active term (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • STEP 2 - Attach supporting documents, if applicable

  • Visit the files section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form to attach any supporting documentation.

  • Are you attaching any supporting documents*
(B) Program component information and calendar copy
Next
  • STEP 3 - Complete Section B
  • Title of new program component*
    Victimology and Victim Studies minor
    Victimology and Victim Studies minor
    This will be the title of the program or shared core in the calendar.
  • Program type*
    Select the corresponding program type from the list of options. If you feel an option is missing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Degree type*
    Select the corresponding degree type from the list of options. If you feel an option is missing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Description of new program component*

    The purpose of the Victimology and Victim Studies minor is to provide foundational knowledge and skills related to the emerging discipline of study of victim experience and to familiarize students to victim-centred approaches within their diverse fields. The minor seeks to educate students in the concepts and best practices in victimology and victim studies, and to teach them to consider all factors including, but not limited to victim experience, victims’ rights, and trauma-informed approaches. Intended as a complement to core fields of study, the minor draws from courses across many faculties, and enhances and reflects each student’s individual academic and career interests.

     

    The description of the new program component will be included in the Academic Calendar.
  • Admission requirements*

    The Victimology and Victim Studies minor is available to all students in any major program at our university. The minor consists of seven courses or 21 credit hours, which includes four (4) mandatory courses and three (3) elective courses chosen from the list below. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in minor courses is required to successfully complete the minor.

     

    An outline of the requirements for admission to the new program component, including additional requirements or procedures, and recognition of prior learning experience.
  • Program map*
    Use this section to build a program map for the academic calendar that shows courses and/or research components offered each academic year.
  • Program structure*

    The minor will consist of 4 required courses and 3 elective courses.

    Describe any experiential or other applied learning opportunities that are part of the new program component.
  • Program learning outcomes*
    1. Acquire and express a broad understanding of a victim-centred experience and approaches.
    2. To examine the impact of victimization on the target and beyond.
    3. Demonstrate a general understanding of the relationships between victimization, victim experience, and victim resilience, within and outside the criminal justice, health, and legal systems, and how these relationships can affect individual identities and victim perspectives, ideas, behaviours, and opportunities.
    4. Demonstrate a general understanding of the ways in which victim experience is wide-ranging, and de-prioritized, examining how victim inequality is sustained, and possible social remedies.
    5. Begin to demonstrate a familiarity with major and debates within and around victims, victim’s rights, and victim experience. 
    6. To examine how different forms of victimization differ with respect to experience and response (e.g., homicide, sexual assault, family violence, fraud, bullying, other trauma).
    If you do not have a recent version of your program’s learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

  • If you do not have a recent version of your program’s learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

(C) Detailed proposal information
Next
  • STEP 4 - Complete Section C
  • Introduction
  • Brief background on existing program*

    No program in Victimology and Victim Studies currently exists at the university.  This university will be the first to offer a minor in Victimology and Victim Studies in Canada.

     

  • Rationale for the new component*

    The minor on victimology and victim studies will allow students to gain specialized knowledge of victim experience, issues facing victims, victimology research that informs policy and practice, victim advocacy and social justice activism, and examine how victim experience is impacted by areas such as media, law, health, ethics, and the criminal justice system. 

    How will this change enhance the program and/or opportunities for students and graduates?
  • Fit with the mission, mandate, strategic plans of the University and broader array of program offerings*

    Victimology and Victim Studies is an emergent interdisciplinary program with new departments starting up some American universities such as Sam Housten (https://www.shsu.edu/academics/victim-studies/ ), generating Master’s programs in Europe (https://secjure.nl/2016/04/06/masterspecial-msc-victimology-and-criminal-justice/, and post university certificates at other Canadian Universities https://admission.umontreal.ca/en/?tx_lboudemprogrammes_affichageprogrammes%5Bprogramme%5D=168&cHash=3b5f4995538e0f80db43a786f619ce03) and has been a successful tool for research funding at American Institutes (http://www.crimevictimsinstitute.org/about.html ) and Canadian research centres (https://www.algonquincollege.com/ppsi/program/victimology/  ) and supporting Canadian college programming (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/program-info/victimology-part-time/; https://durhamcollege.ca/programs/victimology-graduate-certificate). In short, is it is a new and innovative program and will be the first of its kind in Canada. 

         At least 4 Faculty members in the discipline of Criminology and Criminal Justice already teach courses that are victim-centred in nature, and there are several courses in psychology, legal studies, and health sciences that are victim/vulnerable population centered, and or implement trauma-informed approaches in their subject matter.  Many of these have been included as part of the offerings in this minor. 

        This program fits with the university’s values in its emphasis on integrity and inclusion. Criminology and Criminal Justice, Psychology, Legal Studies and Health Sciences, all lend themselves well to understanding society’s role in creating and supporting “a culture of trust and belonging by consistently promoting equity, fairness, kindness and ethics,” as well as “Advancing a learning community where we achieve success by prioritizing reconciliation, valuing diversity and eradicating discrimination and hate” and builds a foundation for advancing the Tech with a Conscience mandate. Furthermore, the program is designed to build “Intellectual resilience” by “respecting different points of view and engaging constructively when exploring ideas and advancing knowledge.” In sum, a Minor in Victimology & Victim Studies will help to “equip future leaders to solve complex problems.”

     

    Description of how the proposed modifications fit into the broader array of program offerings, particularly those areas of teaching and research strengths, and complementary areas of study.
  • Resource requirements
  • Faculty members*

    There is no change to any faculty appointment for this minor.

    List of core faculty associated with the program, including appointment status, home unit, areas of teaching and research interests, and any new faculty requirements and gaps they would be expected to fill.
  • Additional academic and non-academic human resources*

    The program would operate by utilizing the current resources of FSSH. No new hires would be required at this time.

     

    Details of any administrative requirements, including support staff, adjunct and part-time faculty, supervision of experiential learning opportunities, and any other additional academic and non-academic human resources.
  • Physical resource requirements*

    There are no new physical resource requirements.

    Details of any physical resource requirements, including library holdings, information technology support and student services, special equipment, and space requirements (classrooms, laboratory, graduate student work/study space, other).
  • Business plan
  • Statement of funding requirements*

    The program would operate by utilizing the current resources of FSSH. No new funding would be required at this time.

     

    A summary statement of the funding required to support the modification, including projected enrolments, start-up and continuing costs, if applicable.
  • Statement of resource/funding availability*

    The program would operate by utilizing the current resources of FSSH. No new funding would be required at this time.

     

    Statements attesting to the adequacy of resources to support the modification from Deans who may have faculty members involved in or are contributing resources, the Registrar or the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Chief Librarian and the Provost.
  • Transition and communication plan
  • Transition plan for both new and current students*

    As this is a new Minor program, it will be available to all current and incoming students as of the Fall of 2025.

    Semester (e.g., Fall 2025) for the implementation of the proposed changes; include a plan for all current students in the program, by year level. If this change impacts students that are not new and/or 1st year students as of the start date, then a transition plan is required. Please remember to consider off-map students.
  • Communication plan for both new and current students*

    This new minor will be advertised on our website and shared through Ontario Tech University events and through Academic Advising.

    Please explain how the current students will be made aware of this change (e.g., Who will be responsible for notifying students? How? Is Academic Advising aware?). Please remember to consider off-map students.
  • Converting to online options
  • Does this proposal contain any intended conversion of progam components to online options? If yes, please complete the remaining items below.*
  • Adequacy of technological platform
    Describe the adequacy of the technological platform to be used for online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to the quality of education
    Describe how the quality of education will be maintained and/or changes when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program objectives
    Describe how the current program objectives will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program-level learning outcomes
    Describe how the current program-level outcomes will be maintained an/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency of support services and training for teaching staff
    Describe the support services and training for teaching staff that will be made available when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency and type of support for students in the new learning environment
    Describe the sufficiency and type of supports that will be available to students when moving to online delivery.
  • Other
  • Additional supporting information, if applicable

    NA

    Describe any additional information needed to support the proposal.
(D) Impact and consultation
Next
  • STEP 5 - Complete Section D

  • Consultation is central to governance at Ontario Tech. Faculties are required to consult with all areas impacted by this change, and the home faculty dean is responsible for all consultation decisions in this section of the form. Note that any false statements related to consultation may require re-submission of proposals.

  • Faculty Consultation
  • Will this change impact any other faculties? Some examples may include, but are not limited to, the scenarios listed below.*

  • Examples:

    • A course from another faculty is being added or removed from the program map.
    • Changes to joint and/or service programs (e.g., 'and Management' programs, targeted minors).
    • Changes to year of offering for courses from another faculty (e.g., moving a course from Year 1 to Year 2).

    Additional examples can be found in the Resources section of the CIQE website.

  • If you answered yes to the question above, please explain and outline the consultation process in detail. Attach relevant documents (emails, Faculty Council minutes, etc.) or include links to corresponding documents. *

    NA

  • Student Consultation
  • How have current or prospective students been consulted about this change? (e.g., informal conversations, attendance at meetings, survey, indirectly through academic advising). Please provide details below. *

    Students taking the victimology course (CRMN3025) were asked about a potential for a minor in Victimology and it was met with positive feedback. Students expressed that it would be a way to highlight the area of concentration that many were already working on, seeing themselves as “helpers” to those facing challenges. In short, they feel this would be an acknowledgement they would want to be recognized for their future fields of work. Students in this class most often see themselves working for non-profits, in the criminal justice system in some way, in the health or legal professions, and in the area of social work or public health. Conversations with Student Advising suggest that this is a student choice that would be appealing to some students and would be easily promoted where there is student interest in the helping professions. 

     

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • What considerations have been made for equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization?*

    Because this program is composed of existing courses, these considerations have not been explicitly considered. However, FSSH and HLSC courses regularly take into consideration principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and/or Decolonization. FSSH instructors work hard to make their courses as accessible as possible for all students, including those with disabilities.

  • For more information and guidance on incorporating equity, diversity and inclusion principles in curricula, please visit the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging resource section of the CIQE website.

  • Indigenous Content and Consultation
  • Does this change include any Indigenous content?*

  • For more information on how Indigenous content is defined at Ontario Tech University and how to consult with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, please refer to the Protocol for Consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.

  • Has the IEAC been contacted?
  • If Yes, when?
  • What was the advice you received from the IEAC? And, how has it been included in your proposal? Please attach or provide links to documents that outline the consultation process and advice given.

    This proposal is incorporating current INDG courses.  

  • Did the IEAC ask you to return the proposal to them for review?
    If Yes, have they completed their review?
  • Other Consultation
  • Have you consulted with the Office of the Registrar, Student Life, the Library and/or any other areas on campus that may be impacted? *
  • If yes, please explain and outline the consultation process in detail.*

    This proposed minor was built with extensive consultation with both faculties and students. Starting in 2023, UPDs in the disciplines of criminology and justice, legal studies, and psychology were approached about the generation of the minor. During that time suggestions were made that we have incorporated into the minor, to ensure that the minor does not overburden any one faculty, and uses courses that, for the most part, are offered every year. Dean Peter Stoett was consulted and is supportive of the proposed minor. 

    We do not anticipate a massive enrolment year over year, so as to not tax any courses in any given year, and the diversity allows that if a desired course is not available (not offered, capped, etc.), there are plenty of alternatives allowing for completion of a degree on time.  We have built in some restrictions, so as to not overtax any one discipline. 

    The courses are a good fit and sufficiently diverse to allow for victim-centred approaches through a variety of discipline lenses. The minor is designed that minimally each student would have to draw from 3 disciplines. We anticipate students will concentrate in the areas of Psychology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies predominantly. It also allows for students of Education and Health Sciences to takes these courses, as both of these disciplines require Introduction to Psychology as one of their required courses, and often students in these programs take Social Science courses in their elective options. As a result, only have to take 5 new courses outside their traditional fields. It is anticipated that Psychology will not see a “bump” in people taking courses as a result of this minor, as this minor is capturing a lot of what psych is already doing. 

    This minor is an innovative, low cost option for FSSH to attract more students both from other disciplines and from outside the university as a possible recruitment tool given its emergent discipline status. It would be a first in the country offering a minor in Victimology at the university level.  The Victimology & Victim Studies minor may be something that other disciplines could benefit from as an innovative first (e.g. BA or BSc in Psychology or Health Science or a BA Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a Victimology & Victim Studies minor ).  The proposed minor, in other words, could be a value-added approach for many students from many disciplines. 

     

  • Does this change involve co-op?*
  • If yes, please acknowledge that you have consulted with Lindsay Coolidge, Director, External Relations and Partnerships by checking the box below.
(E) Routing
Next
  • STEP 6 - Enter routing information

  • Important note: it is imperative that you choose the correct routing path as it cannot be changed once a proposal has been launched. If you have made a routing error after launching the proposal, the proposal will be cancelled and a new proposal will be required. If you require assistance with routing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

    Please note that changes to joint or collaborative programs do require approval at Faculty Council of each faculty involved in the program. You do not need to include other faculties in the routing, however, consultation with other faculties should be noted and any required approval by other Faculty Councils (and date of approval) should be noted in the comments section as approval is logged on the home Faculty Council step.

  • Should this proposal be routed to the Program Approval step prior to Curriculum Committee?*
    If your curriculum committee is organized by program, or if program-level approval prior to curriculum committee is not required, select 'no'.
  • Faculty or program-level group*
    Choose your faculty or program-level group from the list of options. If your faculty has program-level committees, choose the corresponding program group from the list. Otherwise, choose the home faculty. You may choose more than one option, but please note that your proposal will go to the committees of all options selected. The proposal will not move on to the next step until all faculties have approved at their respective committees. Note: If you are making a change for a Bachelor of Engineering program in FESNS, you must select both the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from the list of options.
  • Is this change for a Bachelor of Engineering program or program which requires Engineering Curriculum Committee approval?*
  • Are there departments associated with your faculty?*
  • Is this change for the Sustainability Studies program?*
(F) End of proposal
Next
  • STEP 7 - Save and ensure all required fields are complete
  • STEP 8 - Validate and launch proposal
  • STEP 9 - Approve proposal

  • As the originator, you must approve the proposal to send it on to the next step. To approve, navigate to the decisions section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form.

(G) CIQE use only
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