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Justice Studies Diploma

Justice Studies students
Credential
Diploma
Duration

2 years

Location
-Main Campus
The Program

In this program, you will gain an understanding of the elements of the justice system in Canada, how those elements relate to each other, and how the system works at the local, provincial/territorial, and federal levels. You will learn about the complex origins of crime and criminal behaviour; how to work with other professionals to improve community safety; and how to apply skills in mediation and conflict resolution to communicate effectively in stressful situations. You will also learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the connected contemporary issues within the justice system.

Completing this diploma program will allow you to liaise with working professionals in the justice system and to experience what it means to work in the field through a practicum placement.

Understanding the roles and requirements for a number of justice-related professions will prepare you for entry-level positions in the justice field, or degree completion in a Justice Studies or related undergraduate program.

Our program offers:

  • Dynamic learning activities
  • Blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills
  • Dedicated instructors who will help you succeed
  • Practicum placement that will give you experience in the justice field

Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes that enable them to:

  • Employ oral, written, and non-verbal communication strategies that are appropriate for situation and context
  • Analyse elements of the justice system and how they relate to one another
  • Interpret federal, provincial, and municipal laws in order to apply them within different areas of the justice system
  • Assess systemic issues within the justice system that impact the interactions of Indigenous and Non- Indigenous Canadians with the justice system
  • Assess societal inequities for their impact on the justice system and its interactions with various populations
  • Work collaboratively as a member of a team, program partnership, and/or interprofessional group
  • Describe the impact of global issues on the Canadian justice system
  • Assess varying sources of information for accuracy and relevance
  • Assess issues in the community and work collaboratively with partners to address these issues
  • Consistently and coherently apply moral principles to personal and professional practice
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct
  • Seek new knowledge, skills, and supports to maintain and improve personal physical, spiritual, and psychological well-being holistically
Program Content

Justice Studies Courses by Term

Please note: Justice Studies courses are only offered in the term listed. Justice Studies courses are normally offered on campus in a face-to-face delivery format.

Term 1 (Fall Year 1 Justice Courses)

  • JUST 100 The Canadian Justice System
  • JUST 105 Professional Seminar I

Term 2 (Winter Year 1 Justice Courses)

  • JUST 110 Canadian Criminal Law
  • JUST 115 Corrections
  • JUST 106 Professional Seminar II

Term 3 (Fall Year 2 Justice Courses)

  • JUST 200 The Justice System and Indigenous Canadians
  • JUST 210 Conflict Resolution
  • JUST 215 Community Justice Initiatives
  • JUST 205 Professional Seminar III

Term 4 (Winter Year 2 Justice Courses)

  • JUST 220 Gender and the Justice System
  • JUST 206 Professional Seminar IV
  • JUST 225 Practicum OR Capstone
    • JUST 225 Practicum (3 credits)
    • JUST 226 Capstone (3 credits)

Required Non-Justice and Elective Courses

Please note: these courses may be offered in numerous terms and may be offered online or on campus. Not all courses are offered every year. Please plan your program accordingly.

  • ENGL 219 Essay Composition and Critical Reading (Recommend Term 1)
  • SOCI 260 Introductory Sociology (Required Year 1, recommended Term 1)
  • PSYC 260 Basic Psychological Processes (note: students who wish to access 300-level Psychology courses must take PSYC 260 & 261)
  • SOCI 325 Criminology
  • SOCI 327 Criminal Justice and Crime Control
  • SOCI Requirement - see list below
  • Fitness Requirement - see list below
  • Indigenous Knowledge Requirement - see list below
  • Philosophy Requirement - see list below
  • 3 Open Electives - Student Choice of University Transfer Courses
    • Note: students who have an interest in 2nd year Psychology courses should take PSYC 261 as an elective.

Fitness/Wellness Requirement List

All aspects of fitness and wellness are relevant to careers in Justice-related areas. The Fitness and Wellness Requirement is designed to ensure that you have a foundation in health and wellness to prepare you for the world ahead. Depending on your career goals, you may wish to seek further advice on physical fitness specific to career entry testing requirements (e.g., the PARE/COPAT test). It is recommended that you take your Fitness/Wellness Requirement in Year 1 to support wellness habits through your program and career.  Your Justice Studies Seminars will discuss fitness and wellness issues relevant to careers in Justice Studies.

  • KNSS 210 Personal Fitness and Wellness
  • KNSS 214 Introduction to Personal Physical Activity
  • KNSS 244 Introduction to Nutrition
  • INTD 325 Mindfulness, Meditation & The Body
  • KDNC 200 Spectrum of Dance in Society
  • KPAC 255 Yoga for Beginners
  • KPAC 296 Flexibility & Relaxation

Sociology Requirement List

  • Choose 1 from the following list.
  • The Sociology Requirement is designed to expand your foundation in sociological theory as a foundation for justice studies and criminology.
    • SOCI 301 Gender
    • SOCI 310 Statistics
    • SOCI 312 Methods
    • SOCI 323 Poverty
    • SOCI 332 Theory
    • SOCI 365 Stratification
    • SOCI 371 Families

Philosophy Requirement List

  • Choose 1 from the following List
  • The Philosophy requirement is designed to broaden your perspectives on moral philosophy and ethics. This requirement can be taken in Term 1 or Term 2.
    • PHIL 201 Values & Society
    • PHIL 300 Professional Ethics
    • PHIL 319 Philosophy of Law
    • PHIL 340 Moral Theory
    • PHIL 355 Philosophy of the Environment
    • PHIL 386 Bioethics
    • PHIL 399 Technology and Computing

Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives

  • Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives Requirement (Recommended in Year 1)
  • Choose at least 1 course from the following list.
  • The Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives Requirement is designed to provide a foundational knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in Canada including their histories, cultures, diverse perspectives, and current contexts.
    • INDS 205 Indigenous Peoples in Canada
    • ANTH 327 Cultures in a Global Context
    • ANTH 356 Survey: Indigenous Canada
    • ENGL 385 Indigenous Literature
    • HIST 372 The Prairie West in Canada
    • HIST 373 Canada to 1867
    • HIST 374 Canada Since 1867
    • HIST 379 Indigenous Peoples and Canada
    • SOCI 307 Indigenous Peoples in Canada
    • SOCI 368 Race and Ethnicity in Canada
    • POLI 223 Canadian Political Issues

Practicum Registration Eligibility

Registration in JUST 225 Practicum will be based on GPA and limited depending on the number of Practicum seats available each year. GPA is calculated based on the last 30 credits applicable to the Justice Studies Diploma not including the JUST Seminars.

Students must have passed JUST 105, 106, and 205 in order to register in JUST 225. JUST 206 is a co-requisite for JUST 225 and the two courses must be taken at the same time.

Practicum must be completed in the final term of the student’s program.

Additional Practicum requirements and practicum pre-requisites (e.g., vaccinations and criminal record checks required by the agency) are discussed in 1st Year Seminars.

    Admission Requirements

    ELA 30-1 or equivalent with a minimum 60%
    AND
    One other course from Group A or equivalent with a minimum 60%

    Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

    Note: Indigenous applicants to the Justice Studies program, go to Program Admission Features above for more information.

    Non-academic requirements:
    Completion of a pre-admission introduction module to Justice Studies by March 31st for students applying before March 1st.  Students who apply after March 1st will have 30 days in which to complete the module.

    Note: Some employers, including the RCMP, require a High School Diploma.

    Note: Field trip or practicum access may be restricted to students 18 years of age or older based on the agency or institution’s minimum age requirement.

    Note: Field trip and practicum agencies may also have access restrictions related to criminal records and vaccination status.  Students who have criminal records or charges pending may be denied access to off-site learning activities.  Students who do not meet the eligibility/access requirements may not be able to access an alternate learning activity.  Students will be informed of any access restrictions at least one week prior to Field Trips.   Requirements for practicum placement will be communicated in Year 1 of the Program.  

    Note:  Volunteer opportunities, practicum placements, field trip attendance, and future employment within Justice-related fields will be negatively impacted for individuals who have criminal convictions or charges pending or awaiting disposition from the courts.  The Government of Canada provides information on pardons and record suspensions.

    Other Requirements

    Practicum Experience requirements:
    Applicants must provide, at their own expense, a Police Information Check or Vulnerable Sector Check to many agencies for practicum experience. Adverse information on such checks may limit practicum placement and prevent program completion. It is the decision of each agency or institution whether or not to accept a student for placement based on the results of such checks.

    Some placements may require additional documentation, such as a medical examination, or RCMP Field Investigation and Security Clearance. It is important to learn about these requirements early in the program to ensure sufficient time for receipt of the documentation prior to the fourth term practicum.

    Graduation Requirements

    Students must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

    Related Careers
    • Policing (e.g. RCMP, Municipal Police Officer)
    • Probation Officer
    • Youth Justice
    • Crime Prevention
    • Border Services
    • Corrections
    • Fish and Wildlife Officer
    • Investigations
    • Legal Services
    • Court Clerk
    • Railway/Transit Police
    • Criminal Analyst
    • Bylaw Officer
    • Community Peace Officer
    • Private Investigator
    • Victims Services Advocate
    • Security

    Additional education may be required for some careers within the justice system.

    Career and Life Skills:

    • Empathy
    • Cultural Understanding
    • Understanding of the Canadian Justice System
    • Working with marginalized populations
    • Conflict resolution
    • Leadership
    • Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills
    • Problem Solving
    • Critical Reasoning
    • Creativity
    • Privacy and Records Management
    Program Admission Features

    The Justice Studies program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To facilitate greater participation of Indigenous learners, the Justice Studies program has designated 10% of seats for qualified applicants who are Status Indian/First Nations, Non-status Indian/First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. After June 1 of each year, any such designated seats which have not been taken by Indigenous learners meeting admission requirements, and applying under this provision, will be released to qualified applicants on the waitlist.

    Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the AcademicCalendar, and qualify for a designated seat by:

    • Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission
    • Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry

    Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):

    • Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities
    • Proof that an ancestor's name has been entered in: the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll
    • Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Indigenous Canada
    • Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Indigenous ancestry with supporting documentation

    Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.

    We understand that you still have questions about the programs.
    You can talk to us and we can help.