Collaborative Study in Policing and Criminal Justice Program

Are you interested in a career in the policing profession? Brock University and Niagara College have teamed up to develop the Collaborative Study in Policing and Criminal Justice Program. In just four years, students in the CSPCJ Program earn both a twenty-credit BA degree from Brock University and a diploma in Police Foundations from Niagara College.

The CSPCJ Program responds to the need for professionals who possess both a solid academic background and the applied skills and substantive knowledge needed in the areas of policing and criminal justice. This would ordinarily involve attending college after gaining a university degree. However, the CSPCJ Program combines the two in a single integrated package. The combination of a university education and college training provides an excellent background for individuals who are seeking a career in policing and increases the chances for professional advancement.

The Police Foundations program at the Welland Campus of Niagara College meets, and in some cases exceeds, the program requirements mandated by the Government of Ontario. The CSPCJ Program was designed in consultation with the Niagara Regional Police Services and receives their full support and assistance.

The CSPCJ Program is designed primarily to prepare graduates to enter the policing profession, but the broad-based liberal education that students receive may also open doors to other professions, including corrections officer, parole officer, and private security consultant. Students may also go on to further their education by attending graduate school in their chosen discipline or by attending law school.

Students in the CSPCJ Program may choose to major in Communication Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. Students majoring in Communication Studies, Geography Political Science or Sociology receive a BA (Honours) degree, and students majoring in Psychology receive a 4-year BA with Major. In addition, all students receive the diploma in Police Foundations from Niagara College.

During Years 1, 2 and 4 of the program, students take all of their courses at Brock University. The specific courses taken at Brock University will depend on the student’s major area. Details of the courses required for students (according to their choice of major) are summarized in the Policing and Criminal Justice section of the current undergraduate calendar available online at www.brocku.ca/webcal/

During Year 3, all students complete the Police Foundations Accelerated Program, taking all of their courses at the Welland Campus of Niagara College. In addition to taking a variety of courses in topic areas such as Interviewing and Investigations, Criminal and Civil Law, Provincial Offenses, and Fitness/Lifestyle Management, students will engage in required practical volunteer work during Year 3. The courses taken in the Police Foundations Accelerated Program include the following:

When initially applying to Brock University, students interested in the CSPCJ Program should indicate Communication Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology as their chosen major. To be admitted to Brock University in these disciplines, students must have six 12U or M courses, one of which must be 12U English. For students majoring in Psychology, Math of Data Management is strongly recommended.

After being admitted to Brock University, students will complete their first year of studies, taking the courses required during the first year of the CSPCJ Program. In April, at the end of their first full year of study at Brock University, students will apply for admission to the CSPCJ Program. Students who are admitted will complete the program over the next three years, taking courses required for their chosen academic discipline. Students who are not admitted into the CSPCJ Program may continue their studies at Brock University as majors in their chosen discipline (Communication Studies, Geography, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology).

To be eligible for admission to the CSPCJ Program, students must have a minimum 70 percent average at the end of Year 1. Volunteering experience is an asset. Applicants who are admitted to the program must maintain a minimum 70 percent average and meet other program requirements to continue in the program and to enter the Police Foundations Accelerated Program at Niagara College.

Enrolment in the CSPCJ Program is limited, and admission to the program is not guaranteed by attainment of the minimum requirements. However, it is our goal to accept into the program as many qualified applicants as possible each year.

Inquiries about the Policing and Criminal Justice Program as well as questions about Brock University courses that are required for the program may be directed to:

Jeanette Ramsay, Undergraduate Student Affairs Officer, Co-ordinator, Policing and Criminal Justice, Faculty of Social Sciences.  She can be reached via email at: jramsay@brocku.ca or by phone at: 905 688 5550, ext. 3852

Administrative assistance is provided by Carol-Ann Farinacci, Assistant to the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences.  To book and appointment, email: dean.socsci@brocku.ca or by phone at: 905 688 5550, ext 3425

For program updates and/or more information, please visit …
www.brocku.ca/policing

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