Program Overview

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Community and Justice Services Ontario College Diploma program

Program Description

Students gain the knowledge and skills required to work with at-risk and offender populations in a variety of institutional and community correctional programs that operate within and adjacent to the justice system. Our curriculum combines theory and a variety of applied, experiential and work integrated learning opportunities that allow students to graduate with job readiness skills. Students learn about industry-based subjects such as human rights, equity and inclusion, and advocacy; skills and abilities relating to interpersonal and professional communications; programming and interventions connected to client and case management, and the importance of mental health, wellness and resiliency. The program is delivered by faculty with industry expertise, and complemented by subject matter experts who share their knowledge as part of the course curriculum. Our program has a long-standing history of community partnerships that allow students to participate in community projects and unique experiential learning opportunities. In second year, students complete a 7-week immersive field placement at a community or custody based justice agency that supports graduates as they transition to the profession.

Intake Information

• Start date: Fall 2025
• Campus: Orillia

Tuition and Fees

• Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
• Review additional program-specific fees for this program.
• You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

Work-Integrated Learning

• This program includes a field placement component where you’ll gain hands-on experience in a setting relevant to your program.
• Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or mature student status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to:

Pathways

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement.

Additional Information

Students are required to sign a waiver indicating they are physically and medically able to participate in strenuous physical activity.

Students may be asked to have a valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C or HCP certificate before proceeding to field placement or participating in volunteer opportunities. It is recommended that First Aid and CPR training is completed prior to program entry.

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement.

Proof of completion of the Ontario Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Awareness training must be provided before proceeding on field placement.

Students are required to review agency requirements provided by the field placement office and complete requirements as needed.

Career Opportunities

As a member of the justice community, program graduates often work as part of an interdisciplinary team in the field, engaging in program planning, assessment, and the implementation of intervention strategies to meet the needs to clients and the community.

Graduates may consider career opportunities in federal and provincial correctional institutions, community residential facilities, open and secure custody facilities for youth, early intervention and rehabilitation programs, school settings, as well as community-based justice and advocacy agencies providing programs and services to offenders, individuals at-risk and victims of crime.

Program Fit

If you’re fascinated with law and justice and want to help at-risk people and communities, the Community and Justice Services program at Georgian is a great fit for you.

Throughout this program, you’ll learn about industry-based subjects such as:

• human rights, equity and inclusion
• restorative justice, mediation and advocacy
• criminal law, justice and the court system
• group dynamics, interpersonal and professional communication
• community programs and correctional interventions
• case management, treatment and re-integration
• conflict management and crisis response
• mental health, wellness and resiliency

Why Study at Georgian?

• Expert faculty
• Valuable field placements
• Graduate career-ready
• Exceptional community partners

Learning Spaces

• Fitness facilities, simulation labs, and interview and counselling spaces give you the chance to engage in hands-on learning and develop skills used on the job.
• Our newly renovated Orillia Campus features:
  • a full apartment-style lab with functioning furniture and fixtures to practise a variety of client-based interactions
  • numerous spaces to facilitate interview training and develop counselling skills
  • hybrid learning classrooms equipped with live streaming and video playback of simulations
  • a large courtroom-style multi-purpose learning classroom, designed to facilitate mock trials and courtroom proceedings
  • state-of-the-art fitness facility to engage in physical fitness training, wellness planning, and simulated career fitness testing requirements
  • Wiidookdaading Indigenous Resource Centre to explore Indigenous advocacy and community development

Pathways

As a graduate of Georgian’s Community and Justice Services program, you’ll have many opportunities to further your studies.

Degree Studies

Further your studies at the degree level! Graduates may receive up to two years of advanced standing toward our unique four-year Honours Bachelor of Police Studies degree program.

Graduate Certificates

Graduating students may choose to pursue a one-year graduate certificate at Georgian, such as Addictions: Treatment and Prevention or Therapeutic Recreation.

Articulation Agreements

Georgian also has several articulation agreements with a number of university programs offering many desirable study options for our graduates.

Course Information

17 Program Courses 2 Communications Courses 3 General Education Courses 1 Field Placement

Program-Specific Courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Community and Justice Services program outline.

• CJSR 1007 – Introduction to Community Justice and Corrections
• CJSR 1008 – Introduction to Law and Correctional Legislation
• FITN 1018 – Wellness and Resilience in Community Justice and Correction 1
• LAWS 1005 – Introduction to Security Skills
• Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
• Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.

Course Delivery Method

Hybrid

This program has a hybrid delivery method. Some parts are online and other parts are delivered in person. You’ll need to come to campus for part of your program.

Related Programs

• Social Service Worker
• Child and Youth Care
• Police Foundations
• Protection, Security and Investigation