Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security)

Program Overview

Niagara College's Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security) program prepares students for careers in the private security sector. The program emphasizes critical thinking, research, and interviewing skills, and provides practical experience through volunteer opportunities and a Justice Studies Simulation Lab. Graduates are eligible for the Ontario Security Guard licensing exam and can pursue further studies in Police Foundations or Community and Justice Services.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security) program is a 2-year diploma program offered at Niagara College's Welland campus. It is designed for students seeking a career in the private sector of law enforcement, where their investigative skills will be utilized. The program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, research, and interviewing skills, equipping graduates to effectively respond to potential threats to organizations and private citizens.

Highlights:

• Curriculum is taught by former police officers with extensive investigative experience.
• Students gain practical, in-field experience via volunteer opportunities with local service agencies.
• Hands-on experiential learning takes place in the Justice Studies Simulation Lab.
• Students who successfully complete the first year and the First Aid course are eligible to write the Ontario Security Guard licensing exam.
• Graduates or students enrolled in their last level of Niagara College's PSI (Private Security) program can gain a Police Foundations OR Community and Justice Services (Correctional Worker) diploma with 8 additional months of study, based on available space and admission requirements.

Outline:

The program is structured over four terms, with a specific course schedule for each term.

Term One (2024 Fall):

• COMM1180 - Essentials of Writing to be Understood (3 credits)
• LAWS1105 - Canadian Justice System (3 credits)
• LAWS1123 - Law Enforcement Principles (3 credits)
• PHED1169 - Fitness and Use of Force Management I (2 credits)
• PSYC1101 - Psychology (3 credits)
• SOCL1103 - Sociology and Canadian Society (3 credits)

Term Two (2025 Winter):

• COMM1280 - Communications for Justice Studies II (3 credits)
• CRIM1201 - Criminology (3 credits)
• LAWS1304 - Criminal and Civil Law (3 credits)
• LAWS1401 - Provincial Offences (3 credits)
• PHED1269 - Fitness and Use of Force Management II (3 credits)
• PHIL1329 - Ethics and Code of Conduct (2 credits)
• SOCL1209 - Contemporary Social Issues (3 credits)

Term Three (2025 Fall):

• LAWS1390 - Surveillance Techniques (3 credits)
• PFPP1304 - Interviewing and Investigations (3 credits)
• SECR1220 - Security Risk Management (3 credits)
• SOCL1430 - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada (3 credits)

Term Four (2026 Winter):

• LAWS1297 - Public and Corporate Security (3 credits)
• PFPP1404 - Investigation and Evidence (3 credits)
• PHED1369 - Fitness and Use of Force Management III (2 credits)
• SECR1421 - Private Investigations (3 credits)
• SECR1424 - Security Procedures (2 credits)
• SECR1430 - Security Operations Management (2 credits)

Learning Outcomes (Term 1244):

• Work in compliance with established standards and relevant legislation in the protection, security and investigation fields.
• Make decisions in a timely, effective and legally defensible manner to uphold protection and security.
• Carry out delegated duties and responsibilities in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.
• Work effectively as a member of a protection and security team.
• Prevent and resolve crisis, conflict and emergency situations by applying effective techniques.
• Conduct and/or contribute to investigations by collecting, preserving and presenting admissible evidence.
• Monitor, evaluate and accurately document behaviours, situations and events.
• Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.

Careers:

Graduates of the Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security) program are prepared for a variety of careers in the private security sector, including:

• Airport and pre-boarding security
• Business establishment investigator - security
• Corporate security
• Municipal by-law enforcement
• Private investigator/detective
• Security consulting
• Theft prevention

Other:

• Students with criminal charges or convictions for which a pardon has not been granted will be significantly limited in employment opportunities in the field of criminal justice.
• Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the specified computer/technology requirements.
• Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.
• All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.