Location
Start Dates

  • January 09, 2025
  • September 02, 2025
Duration

4Terms

Course Delivery

  • Face to Face - Synchronous
  • Online - Asynchronous
  • Off-site
Tuition & Fees

Domestic: CAD $11,463
International: CAD $26,036
Estimated Book Costs: CAD $1,900

 

Program Description

You will attain knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in the various fields of justice where every day offers unique and exciting challenges.

These skills provide a sound foundation for your career in public and private sector justice organizations including law enforcement and corrections. Your instructors will include currently serving justice professionals and retired professionals from a variety of organizations. They are exemplary instructors committed to learner success.

You will have the opportunity to select courses from the following specializations:

  • Correctional Studies
  • General
  • Law Enforcement

This is a two-year (four-term) diploma program.

Beginning in Fall 2024, the program will offer online delivery for one cohort. With the exception of the Work-integrated Learning (WIL) experience required for graduation from the program, all courses in this delivery will occur online.

Regional learners

Learners living in the area surrounding Calgary can take the program starting in Fall (September) through the online offering. Contact Regional or view our locations to contact your nearest campus. Practicum courses include on-site activity at a local facility or organization in the region. 


Tuition and financial aid

Refer to the Program Tuition Fee Chart to find out how much a Bow Valley College career program will cost. Attend a financial aid information session for advice on how to pay for your education. 

Note:  All learners registered in the Justice Studies Diploma program are encouraged to write the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) assessment in term one of their program. 


Related Links


Course Listings Request More Information Applying FAQ
Domestic Applicants

Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402


International Learner Applicants

International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476


Regional Applicants

regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233

Airdrie Campus
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus


Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Or
  • Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test with a standard score of 520 in Language Arts: Reading and Writing

Or

English language proficiency requirements

Note: Future career and volunteer opportunities within justice will be negatively impacted for individuals who have any criminal convictions for which they have not yet received pardon or record suspension, or, have any criminal charges that remain pending or awaiting disposition from the courts. It is unlikely that Justice Studies graduates who have a criminal history will have any advantage when competing for employment. Applicants with further questions are advised to contact the Justice Studies program chair.

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** During the program, students will be visiting various facilities (such as correctional facilities). It is important to note that student attendance and participation during these visits are considered when determining overall grades. Some of these agencies and organizations will deny access to anyone who has either been criminally charged or has a criminal record.


Transferability

Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. Transfer credits are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis by the institution to which you apply. See our most current transfer agreements here

Course Listings Request More Information Applying FAQ
Domestic Applicants

Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402


International Learner Applicants

International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476


Regional Applicants

regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233

Airdrie Campus
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus


Employment Rate

86%


Training Related Employment Rate

36%


Based on Bow Valley College's Graduate Outcome Survey 2024.


Course Listing


Full course outlines are available here.

Curriculum subject to change.

Term 1

Required CoursesCredit

This course focuses on the theories, practical skills, and broader issues to guide work in the field of addiction. Learners reflect on their beliefs and values to develop a professional practice drawing upon and respecting the richness and depth of Canada's multicultural society and special populations. Learners explore the types of addiction, the breadth of addiction treatment theory, and how theory informs addiction treatment practice.

Through practice and reflection, learners nuture personal and professional relationships using interpersonal communication skills. With a focus on other-oriented communication, learners demonstrate how inequities and power dynamics influence relationships.

This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking. They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.

This course provides learners with the foundations for living a healthy lifestyle. Learners explore core concepts of fitness, nutrition, stress management, and mental health in relation to both occupational and personal goals. In addition to applying health and wellness to personal and professional contexts, learners explore how health and wellness can be applied to workplace populations.

This course provides an overview of Canadian civil and criminal law, its history, and structure. The civil law component provides the learner with foundational knowledge of the operation civil legal systems and the interests involved. The course explores Canadian criminal law through the examination of constitutional law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the substantive and procedural law contained in the Criminal Code.

This course provides an introductory overview of the discipline of Sociology. Learners explore human behavior, stratification, social institutions, and sociological theory and methods. Learners examine how social positions shape lives, and how people adjust to social and cultural environments.

Term 2

Required CoursesCredit

This course provides an introduction to the diverse Indigenous Nations of Canada, while looking at the effects of colonialism in both historical and contemporary times, and from multiple perspectives. This course will orient learners to the current goals and challenges of Indigenous communities in Canada today. Learners are encouraged to situate themselves in Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action, especially as they relate to their chosen field of work.

This course provides an overview of Canada's criminal justice system. It focuses on the historical, theoretical, substantive, and procedural aspects of the police, the courts, and corrections as well as how each agency functions in society. Learners examine how these institutions originated and how they are influenced by governmental regulation, private and public oversight, and their underlying philosophies. Learners delve into the relationships between theoretical approaches and criminal justice policy; crime rates and justice statistics; the role of police and their operations; the court system; and corrections.

This course examines multiculturalism and its relationship to the criminal justice system in Canada. Among the issues discussed are the recognition, acceptance, and affirmation of ethnic, racial, and religious diversity within the framework of Canada's policy of multiculturalism. Particular emphasis is placed on Aboriginal history and traditions. Special attention is focused on the application of these issues to policing, corrections, and other aspects of the criminal justice system. Students will have the opportunity to develop the sensitivities and skills which will assist them in understanding and working with different cultures, and to be responsive to the needs and expectations of culturally diverse communities.

This course focuses on report writing and memorandum writing. Learners will study business writing in the format of email writing and letter writing. Resume writing and job application writing will be examined in depth. Learners will also focus on narrative report writing, occurrence report writing, and notebook writing. Learners will examine how to create and facilitate a workshop. The structure of speech, the sentence, word usage, spelling, punctuation and grammar will be explored in detail.

This introductory course provides learners with a basic understanding and an overview of the field of psychology. Attention is given to major psychological perspectives and the fundamentals of scientific thinking, biological factors, sensation and perception, cognitive processes, personality, social influences and human motivation. Learners will be encouraged to apply what they learn to their own lives and the world around them.

Term 3

Required CoursesCredit

In this course, learners explore a broad range of trauma issues in the lives of individuals, families, children, and youth. Learners examine the role of the practitioner in assessing the indicators of trauma, providing support and referral, and engaging in self-care. Learners explore policies and practices through a trauma-informed framework. Learners explore how attitudes, values, and experiences affect perceptions and judgments when dealing with various types of trauma.

This course provides an introduction to the major historical and contemporary theoretical concepts of crime, criminals, and criminality. The course establishes the theoretical relationship between criminology and other sciences like psychology and sociology. In addition, the course also delves into the use of the physical sciences and explores the effects of their use in criminal matters.

EARN AT LEAST 6 CREDITS FROM THE FOLLOWING COURSES:

This course examines correctional systems in Canadian society. Particular focus falls on the history of corrections, the role of corrections in contemporary society, and the interrelationship between the various components including community-based corrections, correctional centres, and parole. In addition, correctional treatment and after care will be reviewed. Emphasis will be placed on the formal and informal relationships which exist in correctional organizations and the relationships between staff and inmates in correctional centres.
Prerequisites: JUST1101

This course provides a broad overview of the history and the development of modern policing. Police work in a democratic society, police structure of governance, and the current trends in Canadian law enforcement are examined. In addition, legal powers of police and various models of policing will be analyzed in the context of current trends and issues.
Prerequisites: JUST1101

In this course learners explore the function of criminal law in Canada, with a focus on the Criminal Code. Learners examine the Criminal Code of Canada to understand offences described within. Learners practice identifying elements of a case in order to recommend a criminal offense and describe the associated penalty.

This course examines theoretical foundations and practical application of crisis and crisis intervention. Learners apply crisis models to assess and respond to a variety of crisis situations. Using communication and intervention strategies, this course discusses ethical considerations and best practices related to resources, advocacy, and support of people in crisis.

Term 4

EARN AT LEAST 9 CREDITS FROM THE FOLLOWING COURSES:

This course covers general aspects of Canadian law as it applies to the field of corrections, as well as Acts and Regulations specific to corrections. Expectations of correctional staff in light of the Charter of Rights and Criminal Code are reviewed, together with the application of common case law to corrections. Specific legislation covered in the course includes the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, the Prison and Reformatories Act, Provincial corrections act, FOIP, and Victimrelated legislation. Current legal issues in corrections will be explored.

This course examines crises and conflicts that law enforcement personnel encounter. Although no two crises or conflicts are the same, learners explore common factors that may be involved, such as stress, mental health, and abuse. In addition, learners examine effective intervention and de-escalation strategies that may be engaged by law enforcement personnel.

This course deals with criminal procedure issues that relate to law enforcement. The course examines the procedural requirements of the criminal justice system as they relate to the role of the law enforcement officer. Activities within that role include: search and seizure, charging, arrest, detention, interrogation, and warrants. The learner analyzes pre-trial procedures and trial processes.

This course will provide a detailed review of the role casework plays in dealing effectively with individuals who require legal intervention due to criminal behavior. A thorough understanding of the purpose of casework, the specific procedures involved along with the practical application through case studies will be provided.

Interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects is fundamental to investigation. Learners explore basic investigative responsibilities and key skills required to conduct effective interviews. They examine case law and statutes to be considered during interviews and interrogations.

This course provides an overview of Canada's community corrections field. It focuses on the theoretical, substantive, and procedural aspects of the police, the courts, and corrections and their role in community corrections and restorative justice. Learners examine how these inter-disciplinary agencies play a pivotal role in release, reintegration and risk strategies of offenders in the community. Learners delve into case studies and use critical thinking skills to evaluate and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diverse offender populations and their specific needs.

Complete at least 3 credits from the following:

  • ADDC1302 - Physiology and Pharmacology of Addiction
  • CYCR2401 - Indigenous Child, Youth and Family Work
  • ENGL1301 -Introduction to Literary Analysis
  • FASD1101 - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness for Human Service Professionals
  • HMSV1103 - Working from Indigenous Perspectives with Elders’ Teachings
  • HMSV1501 - Introduction to Counselling
  • HMSV2502 - Facilitating Groups
  • INDG2201 - Teachings of the Medicine Wheel
  • JUST2104 - Introduction to Forensic Science
  • PSYC1202 - Child and Adolescent Development
  • PSYC2401 - Abnormal Psychology
  • SOCI1201 - Sociology of the Family
  • WGST2101 - Introduction to Women and Gender Studies

EARN AT LEAST 3 CREDITS FROM THE FOLLOWING COURSES:Credit

In the Service Learning Placement learners have the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service with classroom instruction and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. This course allows students to work in partnership with a community-based organization to apply their disciplinary knowledge to a challenge identified by the community.

This course gives learners the opportunity to demonstrate applied research, critical reflection, communication, and presentation skills in multifaceted projects that merge academic and intellectual experiences while investigating a social problem within the justice field. Under supervision of a faculty member with industry experience students will present a viable, evidence-based, and practical response to a systemic need that has been identified.

This course is an applied learning experience in a justice career setting. During this experience learners apply prior course work, challenge their assumptions and problem solve in a real world context. Practicum placements vary in nature from law enforcement and corrections, to non-government and social justice opportunities, building foundational skills in preparation for the recruitment process.

Program FAQs

The program is offered full-time or part-time, primarily in-class at the Calgary downtown campus. Classes normally take place between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Some of the courses are available online.

The Justice Studies Diploma program allows you to specialize in Law Enforcement, Correctional Studies, or General Justice. All Justice Studies learners take the same set of courses in Year 1 and take courses specific to their specialization in Year 2.

 

Learners must declare a specialization in order to graduate. Learners may declare a specialization after completing one term of the program by filling out a declaration form.

You must meet the admission requirements exactly as they are written. If you do not have both the high school diploma and the English requirement, then you must meet the GED or Admissions Testing requirements. 

 

Future career and volunteer opportunities within justice will be negatively impacted for individuals who have any criminal convictions for which they have not yet received a pardon or record suspension, or who have any criminal charges that remain pending or awaiting disposition from the courts. It is unlikely that Justice Studies graduates who have a criminal history will have any advantage when competing for employment.

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** During the program, learners will be visiting various facilities (such as correctional facilities). It is important to note that learner attendance and participation during these visits are considered when determining overall grades. Some of these agencies and organizations will deny access to anyone who has either been criminally charged, or has a criminal record

 

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