Student Experience

What to Expect

Students in Algonquin College’s Victimology program learn from a combination of lectures, independent study, case studies, discussion, guest speakers, and role playing, advancing their skills in communication, assessment and advocacy when working with victims of crime.

Success Stories and Testimonials

“I chose the Victimology program to add value to my internationally gained training/experience in Social Work. The program is well structured with lots of resources and placement. The best part is the faculty! My biggest highlight from my time at Algonquin College is the resource people who were brought in to share their lived experiences and learning about the Indigenous populations.
The placement team was great in supporting the search for placement. My placement was at Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in Ottawa which is where I wanted it to be. The placement was great and it gave me an opportunity to experience front line child protection work. It was great!
As an international student attending the Victimology program at Algonquin College was a pivotal experience for me. It gave me valuable insight into Canadian college life and helped shape the career path I’m on today – counselling and therapy for adolescents. I gained a deeper understanding of the Indigenous population and trauma-informed care, both of which continue to guide my work as a therapist. This program also opened the door to my first Canadian job as a Social Worker at a school, for which I will always be grateful.
If you are thinking about taking this program be genuinely curious to learn.
I am now working at a school board in Ottawa and counselling/providing mental health therapies to adolescents. In the schools I provide counselling and deliver presentations to groups on topics related to mental health. I also have a private practice called 4teentherapy where I help adolescents with anxiety, stress, low self esteem and ADHD to handle life’s challenges.
Since graduating from the program I am most product of the acquired specialized knowledge in victim services, trauma recovery and restorative justice and successfully completing my placement at CAS. Victimology is a hands on program with a robust and well structured curriculum. The professors are all very qualified experts from their fields. They are erudite and sage, blending academic knowledge with real world insights to guide students, and they were always accessible. They made this one-year experience very enriching.
If I could describe my experience at Algonquin College in one word: Enriching” -Priya Abraham, Graduate, Therapist

“The Victimology program is undeniably the most valuable education I have received to date. I have always been passionate about community safety and well-being however after I graduated with my honors degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, I was not sure how I could continue my educational development. I had experience working in the field as a Crisis Line Responder and Addictions Counselor, however I knew there was still plenty to learn.

I was privileged enough to have two mentors (who were also graduates of the victimology program) encourage me to enroll. One of my mentors (who is now a police officer) told me it was the best educational experience she ever received; knowing what I know now I could not agree with her more.

Growth is a theme of this program; I am a completely different individual than when I started the Victimology program. Not only did this program allow me to better identify my strengths and areas of development, but it also allowed me to develop the important self-regulatory/coping skills to work in the field of victim services.

I have nothing but praise for the Victimology program, the professors, and the coordinator. The relationships I have developed with professors, staff, and my peers cannot be put in words. I honestly cannot recommend this program enough to individuals looking to have a rewarding career in victim services and/or community safety.”
– Jacob Legault, Graduate, Probation & Parole Officer, Ministry of the Solicitor General

“Algonquin College’s Victimology graduate certificate program is unlike any other post secondary program I’ve done. The passionate professors, thoughtfully chosen guest speakers, and 146-hour practicum combine to create an informative, engaging, and life-changing year.

There are practicum placements across a wide range of agencies. My practicum involved research at Algonquin College. Under the guidance of my supervisor, I have been able to extend my position post-graduation. I am now a research manager contributing to the knowledge base that will help improve outcomes for victims and survivors of crime. None of this would have been possible without Jennifer Barkley, Benjamin Roebuck, and the Victimology program at Algonquin College.”
-Diana McGlinchey, Graduate, Research Manager

Work Integrated Learning

Students have the opportunity to integrate theory with practice and provide victim services within a community setting during a 4-week, full-time practicum in April.

Victimology Research Centre
The launch of Algonquin College’s Victimology Research Centre, a first of its kind in Canada, has been highlighted in stories by CTV Ottawa and CFRA .

The Victimology Research Centre, which forms part of Algonquin’s Office of Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, works in partnership with non-profit organizations and local, provincial, and federal government stakeholders to study victimization, resilience, and experiences survivors have with the criminal justice system and service providers.

The Centre has been a valuable resource for Algonquin’s Victimology students, who perform a central role working on its various research projects.