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Police and Justice Studies Diploma
A group of graduates from the program.
This unique two-year diploma program prepares graduates for careers in policing and other justice-related areas (sheriffs, corrections, parole etc.), while enabling students who desire to continue their education to ladder into degree programs in criminology, arts and business (may require some bridging courses).
The program was developed in close liaison with police and other justice agencies to ensure graduates would have the breadth of skills and knowledge required for a justice-related career.
Admission requirements
- BC Grade 12 (or equivalent)
- English 12 or English 12 - First Peoples with a minimum of 73% (or equivalent)
- A current resume and statement of career objectives is to be submitted with the application
Applicants should note that some required courses require physical fitness standards and may require a criminal record check.
General requirements
- Year Two students : BC Class 5, 7N or equivalent needed to complete the Justice Institute’s, Driving With Finesse, (a required component of JUST 2450 Police Skills)
Registration for courses and payment of fees
You will be notified by Admissions once you have been accepted to your limited enrolment program and will receive registration information once admittance has been finalized. Once admitted, you should be prepared to pay a commitment fee to secure your seat in the program. The commitment fee will be applied as a deposit toward Fall tuition.
Selection process
GPA (weighted at 70%); and Resumé and Statement of Career Objectives (weights at 30%).
Laddering
Graduates of the Police and Justice Diploma may ladder into a variety of degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Social Work
Financial aid
This program is eligible for BC student assistance.
Students should apply online at Student Aid BC. It may take up to 10 weeks to process a student loan. Please keep this in mind when making your application.
Visit Student Awards & Financial Support for more information.
| Fall semester / September to December |
CMNS 1810 Professional and Academic Composition (3,0,0) CMNS 1810 Professional and Academic Composition (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn the theory and practice of successful academic and professional writing. Students compare and apply techniques involved in writing for business and academic purposes, learning skills in audience assessment, document planning and design, research, and effective writing. Students complete assignments ranging from academic essays to a variety of professional communication documents.
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JUST 1140 Interpersonal Communications in Criminal Justice (3,0,0) JUST 1140 Interpersonal Communications in Criminal Justice (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students analyze elements of human behavior from the criminal justice perspective. Students examine four fundamental themes: the importance of self-awareness in developing effective communication in a team-based environment; the development and enhancement of critical communication and conflict resolution skills; elements of psychological distress and dysfunction as well as support strategies for people in crisis; and aspects relating to a justice-related career including mental health, harassment, and multicultural issues.
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JUST 1310 Introduction to Criminal Justice Services in Canada (4,0,0) JUST 1310 Introduction to Criminal Justice Services in Canada (4,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course offers a complete overview of the Canadian criminal justice system. Students begin by examining the legislative, structural, and operational components of the criminal justice system, and reviewing the roles and responsibilities of the professionals who work within this system. Next, students follow the process and discuss the rights of an accused person as they travel through the system, from the commission of an offence to conviction and sentencing. Students also examine the rights of the victims of crime and their impact on the sentencing of adult and young offenders. Finally, alternatives to the criminal justice court process and their affects on the system as a whole are considered.
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PHED 1230 Conditioning (3,0,0) PHED 1230 Conditioning (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are instructed in the basic principles for health and skill-related fitness. The course provides a basic understanding of the physiological basis for conditioning programs applicable to competitive sport. A discussion of fitness assessment is also a focus in this course. |
| Plus: one elective |
| Winter semester / January to April |
CMNS 1980 Professional Presentation/Communication, Police and Justice Studies (3,0,0) CMNS 1980 Professional Presentation/Communication, Police and Justice Studies (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students in the Police and Justice program examine core communication forms in their field, expanding on skills learned in CMNS 1810. Students develop writing and speaking skills, along with skills in interpreting communication scenarios, to produce effective professional verbal and written communication. Students learn best practice strategies for content, organization and production of various police reports, as well as the oral presentation of information. Students also develop skill in interviewing and research.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Police and Justice Program AND CMNS 1810 with C- minimum or equivalent OR CMNS 1811 with a C- minimum or equivalent professional writing course. |
JUST 1250 Tactical Communication Skills for Criminal Justice (4,0,0) JUST 1250 Tactical Communication Skills for Criminal Justice (4,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course contains two core themes pertaining to effective communication skills for public safety personnel. The first theme examines the foundation for communication skills required to effectively interview witnesses, victims and accused, including: probing, questioning techniques, listening, paraphrasing, summarizing, and documentation. The second theme builds on previous interviewing skills by incorporating conflict resolution and crisis intervention techniques. A variety of strategies to identify deceptive people, and response techniques for law enforcement personnel are practiced and discussed. The National Use of Force Model is introduced, and the use of verbal intervention skills using the Use of Force Model is also discussed.
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PHIL 1110 Introduction to Critical Thinking (3,0,0) PHIL 1110 Introduction to Critical Thinking (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students access the basic blocks of knowledge building through an exploration of logical analysis. Students use the philosophical methodology of argument analysis to navigate issues presented in natural language and to resolve real world problems. Students examine the meaning of logical terms and philosophically investigate their contribution to arguments. Students give considerable attention to representing the logical structure of arguments and discovering their validity or invalidity.
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POLI 1110 The Government and Politics of Canada (3,0,0) POLI 1110 The Government and Politics of Canada (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are first introduced to the main processes, structures, and institutions of the Canadian government including the Constitution, the Prime Minister and cabinet, Parliament, federalism, and the party system. Students are then introduced to key political issues in Canada including social cleavages, policy debates, differing political ideologies, and Indigenous-settler relations. Students gain an understanding of how Canadian politics and government change over time and gain the tools for engaging in ongoing learning as political issues continue to affect their personal and professional lives.
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| Plus: one elective (recommended ANTH 2140) |
We accept all academic courses as electives. For assistance with choosing your electives, contact Arts Advising ([email protected], 250-371-5566 or AE257).
| Fall semester / September to December | |
JUST 2450 Police Skills (0,4,0) JUST 2450 Police Skills (0,4,0)Credits: 3 credits Building on verbal communication skills developed in previous courses, students practice the use of force techniques.
Students engage in hand-to-hand self defence training, including handcuffing techniques, pressure points and control
tactics, defensive baton techniques, and subject control techniques. In this physically intensive course, students gain
hands-on practical experience.
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JUST 2510 Introduction to Policing (4,0,0) JUST 2510 Introduction to Policing (4,0,0)Credits: 3 credits The objective of this course is to provide the foundation for students on policing in Canada, from the principles of Sir Robert Peel to policing in the present. Students explore navigating the Criminal Code, identify offences, prepare reports on criminals, learn about Community Policing principles, and discover various departments within police organizations. Students also participate in crime scene investigations, including the taking of fingerprints, the collection of evidence, and recording information in their police notebooks.
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PHIL 2010 Introduction to Ethics (3,0,0) PHIL 2010 Introduction to Ethics (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Ethics is the philosophical examination of 'the good life', or the kind of life that is most worth living. It is also the study of the values by which we live, and the values of others. Students explore questions of right and wrong (morality), consider the place of morality in life as a whole, and whether life has meaning. In particular, students discuss the nature and origin of morality, and to what extent being moral is necessary to living a good life. | |
SOCI 2590 Deviance and Control (3,0,0)* SOCI 2590 Deviance and Control (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students critically evaluate the concept of deviance, its resulting social control, and its use in institutions and daily social interactions. Students explore the role of power in reinforcing and challenging 'deviant' identities. Major topics include sexuality, youth, physical appearance, mental disorders, religion and scientific beliefs, and their place in the construction of criminal and non-criminal deviance. | |
| Plus: one elective (3 credits) | |
| Winter semester / January to April | |
JUST 2350 Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions (4,0,0) JUST 2350 Introduction to Canadian Law and Legal Institutions (4,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course provides an overview of the basic legal institutions in Canada, and the fundamental principles of common law. Students discuss how laws are developed and evolve, the Canadian court system, and the exercise of judicial power. The course also includes a general introduction to the substantive areas of torts, family law, administrative law, and criminal law.
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JUST 2810 Field Work Practicum (0,4,0) JUST 2810 Field Work Practicum (0,4,0)Credits: 3 credits Students engage with various aspects of the field of justice by participating in hands-on activities. Students develop and present a community policing activity to the public during the semester, including creating all instructional media, meeting with schools or service groups, and setting up their presentations. Students participate in the Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) firearms training; RCMP Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (P.A.R.E.) testing; driving course(s); directing traffic; and accident investigations and scenario-based training using actors. Students tour law enforcement facilities and participate in recruiting sessions with law enforcement groups.
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SOCI 2010 Race and Ethnicity (3,0,0)** SOCI 2010 Race and Ethnicity (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students learn about race and ethnicity as social constructions and examine sociological theories to explain race and ethnic inequality in Canada. Students are challenged to critically examine processes of racialization and ethnic belonging in Canada and also in comparison to other countries. | |
| Plus: two electives (6 credits) | |
* Students who have completed PSYC 2160 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology will be exempted from SOCI 2590.
** Students who have completed any of ANTH 2140 Canadian Native Peoples, ANTH 2150 Cultural Studies, or ANTH 2600 Minorities in the Modern World will be exempted from SOCI 2010.
