Awards and Scholarships

Criminology Department's Student Recognition Awards

The Criminology Department is pleased to present Student Recognition Awards each spring to recognize the achievements of students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Major or Honours degree in Criminology. The Criminology Department’s Award Ceremony takes place after the Spring Convocation Ceremony for criminology students. Eligible students must complete their criminology degree in time for the fall or spring semester; however, attendance at the Convocation Ceremony is not required.

Applications may be submitted through our online application form. If you have any questions, please email criminology@kpu.ca.

Student Recognition Awards:

1. Academic Achievement Award

The Academic Achievement Award honours KPU Criminology Major students who achieve academic excellence in their coursework. It will be awarded to the top three students with the highest cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs) in upper-level KPU Criminology courses.

Nomination Process: Students graduating during the current academic year are eligible to apply for this award. Applications for this award must be made by the student. An unofficial copy of the applicant’s KPU transcript must be submitted at the time of application.

2. Contribution to Scholarship Award

The Contribution to Scholarship Award is awarded to a KPU Criminology Major who has shared his/her research with academics and/or community partners. One student will receive the award; however, a joint award will be considered if two students work together on a project.

Please submit a 500-word statement that includes:

  • how you shared research with academia (e.g., conference, paper publication) and/or community partners or stakeholders (e.g., presentation to community event), and
  • explanation of how your research contributed to a particular field (e.g., Criminology, domestic violence, policy recommendations, etc.).

One reference letter from someone who can speak to the scholarship you submitted for this application is also required.

Nomination Process: Students graduating during the current academic year are eligible to apply or be nominated for this award. A copy of the statement, reference letter, and scholarly work must be submitted at the time of application.

3. Indigenous Justice Award (formerly Spirit Award)

The Indigenous Justice Award is open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. This is an award for a KPU Criminology Major who demonstrated a passion for justice or aims to make a difference in their community. One student will receive the award.

Please submit a 500 - 750-word statement that:

  • introduces yourself, such as where you are from, your nation, or community,
  • discusses how you plan to use your degree to enhance Indigenous justice or make a difference in your community, and
  • describes what “justice” means to you and your current commitment to justice.

A reference letter from someone who can support your involvement in making a difference is optional.

Nomination Process: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada graduating in the current academic year are eligible to apply or be nominated for this award. A copy of the statement and any other supporting work must be submitted at the time of application.

4. Social Justice Award

This is an award for a KPU Criminology Major who is engaged in social justice. One student will receive the award.

Please submit a 500-word statement that includes:

  • how you are working toward policy, legal, and/or social change,
  • an explanation of what social justice means to you, and
  • how have you been engaged in social justice during your KPU career.

Please include a reference letter of someone who can speak to your work (faculty member, member of community, inmate, etc.).

Nomination Process: Students graduating during the current academic year are eligible to apply or be nominated for this award. A copy of the statement and reference letter must be submitted at the time of application.

5. Community Engagement Award

This is an award for a KPU Criminology Major who has demonstrated community engagement. 

Please submit a 500-word statement that includes:

  • how you have engaged in community partnerships, organizing, etc. (e.g., what did you contribute? what was the impact of your engagement?),
  • an explanation of what community engagement means to you, and
  • how the community work impacted you.

One reference letter from someone who can speak to the community engagement that you discussed in your application (e.g., community partner/agency; KPU faculty) is also required.

Nomination Process: Students graduating during the current academic year are eligible to apply or be nominated for this award. A copy of the statement and reference letter must be submitted at the time of application.


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