Program Overview

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Justice Studies - General

About

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.

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 NOTEDuring 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._

Admission Requirements

• Credit in English 30-1, or 65% in English 30-2, or equivalent
• Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test with a standard score of 520 in Language Arts: Reading and Writing
• Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admission and Placement Test

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.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, please review English language proficiency requirements.

Academic Upgrading

Enhance your previous education to meet the missing admissions requirements for one of the BVC programs.

Available Intakes

• September 2025
  • Domestic: Open
  • International: Open
• January 2026
  • Domestic: Open
  • International: Not Offered

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Students

Term	Tuition Fees	Additional Fees	Total Fees*
Term 1	$2,756	$605	$3,361
Term 2	$2,416	$605	$3,021
Term 3	$2,676	$605	$3,281
Term 4	$2,370	$605	$2,975

International Students

Term	Tuition Fees	Additional Fees	Total Fees*
Term 1	$6,570	$605	$7,175
Term 2	$5,787	$605	$6,392
Term 3	$6,568	$605	$7,173
Term 4	$5,942	$605	$6,547

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

Term 1

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
ADDC1101	Introduction to Addictions Studies	3	picturepdf
COMM1101	Interpersonal Relationships And Communication Skills	3	picturepdf
ENGL1201	English Composition	3	picturepdf
JUST1401	Health, Wellness, and Fitness	3	picturepdf
LEGL1101	Introduction to Canadian Law	3	picturepdf
SOCI1101	Introduction to Sociology	3	picturepdf

Term 2

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
JUST1101	Introduction to the Criminal Justice System	3	picturepdf
JUST1102	Diversity and Criminal Justice in Canada	3	picturepdf
JUST1301	Professional Report Writing and Presentations	3	picturepdf
PSYC1101	Introduction To Psychology	3	picturepdf
INDG1101	Introduction to Indigenous Studies	3	picturepdf

Term 3

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
HMSV2304	Trauma-Informed Practice	3	picturepdf
JUST1103	Foundations of Ethics and Justice	3	picturepdf
JUST1601	Criminology	3	picturepdf

Term 4

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
JUST2201	Correctional Law	3	picturepdf
JUST2304	Crisis Management for Law Enforcement	3	picturepdf
JUST2503	Canadian Criminal Procedure	3	picturepdf
JUST2604	Correctional Casework	3	picturepdf
JUST2607	Interviewing and Investigations	3	picturepdf
JUST2610	Community Corrections and Restorative Justice	3	picturepdf

Electives

Earn at least 6 credits from the following courses:

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
JUST2101	Introduction to Corrections	3	picturepdf
JUST2103	Introduction to Law Enforcement	3	picturepdf
JUST2202	Criminal Law in Canada	3	picturepdf
JUST2302	Crisis Intervention and Communication in Corrections	3	picturepdf

Earn at least 3 credits from the following courses:

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
ADDC1302	Physiology and Pharmacology of Addiction	3	picturepdf
HMSV1501	Introduction to Counselling	3	picturepdf
HMSV2501	Social Policy	3	picturepdf
HMSV2502	Facilitating Groups	3	picturepdf
PSYC1202	Child and Adolescent Development	3	picturepdf
PSYC2401	Psychopathology	3	picturepdf
SOCI1201	Sociology of the Family	3	picturepdf
WGST2101	Introduction to Women and Gender Studies	3	picturepdf
FASD1101	Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness for Human Service Professionals	3	picturepdf
INDG2201	Indigenous Approaches to Healing and Wellness	3	picturepdf
ENGL1301	Introduction to Literary Analysis	3	picturepdf

Earn at least 3 credits from the following courses:

Code	Course	Credit	PDF
JUST2997	Justice Studies Service Learning	3	picturepdf
JUST2998	Justice Studies Applied Research and Capstone Project	3	picturepdf
JUST2999	Justice Studies Practicum	3	picturepdf