Full-time Programs
CJSW - Community and Justice Services Worker
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER AND JANUARY
Program Length
Two-Year Ontario College Diploma
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Melanie Rabishaw, Year One Coordinator | mrabishaw@loyalistc.on.ca |
| Phil Howlett, Year Two Coordinator | phowlett@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- Help build safer communities by working with people at risk.
- There is a strong demand for graduates of this program to work in a variety of settings.
- A common first-year curriculum prepares students to
specialize in a majority of Justice Studies programs in their second year. - Two four-week field placements offer a competitive job edge to Loyalist graduates.
- Attractive entry-level salaries average approximately
$35,000 – $60,000 per year.
Career Opportunities
The Community and Justice Services program will prepare students for careers working with youth and/or adults at risk in both the community and inside residential and/or custodial facilities.
Graduates work in a vast range of settings including: youth custody facilities, child welfare homes, federal and provincial correctional facilities, attendance centres, community justice agencies, victim support agencies, and a variety of residential facilities for people at risk. Students entering this program should have a strong desire to make our communities safer. There is such a high need for community and justice services professionals that many students receive job offers before they graduate. Those who are hired on by the provincial or federal correctional system will receive additional training upon employment. Graduates hired and trained by Correctional Services Canada can earn approximately $60,000 per year.
Program Description
This popular program has been recently updated to reflect changes in society. The dedicated faculty will guide students through practical, hands-on activities that include scenario-based role playing, case studies, and tours of existing facilities. The program familiarizes students with best practices to ensure personal safety, protection of the public, and the safety of staff, clients and the community. The first year is common to most of Loyalist’s programs in Justice Studies, allowing the flexibility to transfer to a program in Customs Border Services, Investigation and Protection Studies, or Police Foundations.
Community and Justice Services has a three-fold focus: prevention, intervention and reintegration. Prevention involves studies in behaviour management, conflict resolution, applied psychology, criminology, and addictions. Intervention skills include interviewing and counselling, case management, program development, and suicide intervention. Reintegration emphasizes guiding clients back into the community, and may involve anything from life skills (such as managing a budget, personal hygiene and cooking) to cognitive restructuring, anger management and addictions couselling.
Classroom studies in the second year are enhanced by two four-week field placements in a relevant community or justice agency. Students make an immediate and significant contribution while they define their occupational direction. Effective assessment and communication skills are emphasized throughout the program, making Loyalist graduates attractive to employers. Students enjoy another employment edge with alternative dispute resolution training, and a certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
Approximate Cost
Tuition/Ancillary Fees: $3,096 (two semesters)
Consumables Fee: $55
Books and Supplies: $1,240
Note: Relocation and travel may be required for the field placement experiences.
Admission Requirements
(a) Required academic preparation –
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U), (M), or (O) level
- Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent
OR - mature applicant
Recommended academic preparation –
- Grade 12 mathematics
- computer proficiency in word processing,
file management, e-mail and Internet browsing
(b) Transfer to Another Justice Studies Program: Students who, at the end of Year One, wish to be considered for admission to another Justice Studies program including Police Foundations, Investigation and Protection Studies, or Customs Border Services are encouraged to discuss this with their program coordinator.
(c) Transfer of Credit: Applicants with prior education equivalent to Year One (from university and/or college) normally will be admitted directly to Year Two. Applicants seeking advanced standing must review their qualifications with the program coordinator.
(d) Police Background Check: In order to participate in the field placement in Year Two, students will be required to obtain a criminal record check by their local police service. Applicants should be aware that the existence of a criminal record may make them ineligible for field placement and thereby affect their ability to complete the program.
(e) Health: A personal health history form must be completed prior to registration. Applicants with special needs or limitations which may affect their potential employment are encouraged to discuss their program and career goals with the coordinator prior to enrollment.
(f) CPR and First Aid: Prior to Year Two, students are required to show proof of current CPR certification – Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), Level C, as well as a Standard First Aid Certificate.
(g) Volunteer and Work Experience: These types of experiences are viewed positively when being considered for Year Two and by police services.
Loyalist / University Transfer
Turn your diploma into a degree. Credit transfer agreements are in place with the following institutions as of September 2009:
- Algoma University College
- Athabasca University
- Davenport University
- Griffith University
- Laurentian University
- Nipissing University
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Click here for details and minimum requirements. Graduates may contact the university of their choice to make individual arrangements. Informal agreements are in place with other institutions and new transfer agreements are added annually.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
COMM 1010 Communications 1
This course will enable the successful student to communicate effectively in writing, incorporating correct use of basic grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction.
FITN 1000 Lifestyle Management and Fitness 1
This course will introduce students to the incidence and impact of Canada's leading diseases. The student will develop an understanding of wellness concepts, and practical strategies for developing a healthy lifestyle. Students will study and implement prerequisites for developing and maintaining personal physical fitness programs. The student will develop and implement personal strategies to meet fitness standards required by the various justice agencies.
LASA 1000 Principles of Ethical Reasoning
This course focuses on ethical issues faced by individuals in their personal lives, as citizens, and as professionals. Students will analyse and clarify their values and learn the basics of moral reasoning and ethical behaviour. Moral theories and professional codes are examined. Students will apply ethical decision making models to personal and professional dilemmas. This course will also provide first semester students with information, skills, and strategies that will enhance their chances for academic success.
SOCI 1003 Sociology & Canadian Society
An introductory course in which various concepts and sociological theories are presented. The sociological topics include the historical development of sociology, sociological theories, research methods, culture, socialization, race and ethnicity, and the study of aboriginal peoples of Canada.
SOCI 1004 Community & Social Services
This course will explore the structure and administration of community organizations and social services that operate within and adjacent to the Criminal Justice System. The course will further explore the issues, trends and legislation that impact on community social services.
LAWS 1008 Canadian Criminal Justice System
TBA
First Year - Semester Two
COMM 1011 Communications 2
This course emphasizes improvement in basic Communications skills.
Writing styles, editing, and different approaches to writing are
taught.
Prerequisite: COMM 1011
COUN 1003 Interpersonal & Group Dynamics
In this introductory level course, students learn to apply knowledge from interpersonal relations and group dynamics to working in a team. Emphasis will be placed on developing awareness of one's self to enhance effective communications individuals and groups.
FITN 1001 Lifestyle Management and Fitness 2
A continuation of Lifestyle Management and Fitness 1 combined with the introduction of the nutritional and psychological continuums of wellness. Emphasis will be placed on the development of personal programs. There will be both theoretical and physical fitness evaluations. Prerequisite: FITN 1000
LAWS 1003 Criminal and Civil Law
This course is designed to take the student from the origins of Canadian law, its roles and various components to the substantive aspects of civil, family, administrative and criminal law.
PSYC 1003 Psychology
In this introductory level course, students will study the basics of psychology, its concepts and theories including: the historical development of psychology, biological bases of behavior, learning and memory, perception and consciousness, motivation, lifespan and personality development, and abnormal behavior.
SOCI 2000 Sociology of Deviance
This course is an examination of the sociological theories of deviance. The student will be responsiblefor researching one area of Sociological Deviance and preparing a paper on that topic.
LASA 1003 Diversity and First Nations People
TBA
Second Year - Semester Three
CORR 2002 Correctional Interviewing and Counselling
An introductory course in skills and techniques necessary for interviewing and counseling in the area of corrections. Specific emphasis is placed on practical information and experiential learning.
LAWS 2002 Youth in Conflict with the Law
Enables the student to explain and analyze the historical, philosophical and contemporary application of statutes affecting youth in conflict with the law. Examines and analyzes the Youth Criminal Justice Act (2003) and other relevant legislation, the detention, interviewing and processing through the court structure of young offenders. The ability to summarize and appraise disposition alternatives with a view to aiding and rehabilitating a young offender while facilitating public safety and victim response is developed. Prerequisites: LAWS 1004 & SOCI 1004
PRAC 2003 Corrections Placement Preparation
A course designed to prepare the student for field placement (in both semesters) and future employment in the field of corrections. The course focuses on issues that may arise on placement with an emphasis on problem solving.
PRAC 2004 Correctional Worker - Practicum 1
To provide the student with the opportunity of observing career orientated functions and perform a variety of assigned tasks within the Program Goals.
PSYC 2001 Applied Psychology
The study of abnormal behavior including non-psychotic disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, drug addiction and psychopathology and analysis of abnormal behavior from a psychological perspective.
CSJW 2000 Penology
TBA
CSJW 2001 Special Populations
TBA
Second Year - Semester Four
CORR 2003 Safe and Secure Environments
This is a laboratory/lecture course designed to familiarize the student with the procedures used in correctional facilities in Canada. Procedures will be reviewed for a wide variety of program types.
CORR 2008 Principles of Case Management
This course is designed to present the student with a variety of approaches that lead to the acquisition of case management skills and techniques that are applicable for work within various Human Service consumer populations and age groups. This course acquaints the student with the philosophy, history and "best practice" of case management. Emphasis is given to ethical and policy considerations faced by human service practitioners, ehtical decision-making, professional competence, self-disclosure, confidentiality, and related topics as they apply to working as part of a case management team.
CORR 2009 Program for Integration/Re-in
Programming for Intervention and Reintegration This course acquaints the student with the philosophy, history and "best practice" of effective programming. Designed to familiarize the student with a variety of program models used for intervention/reintegration, the learner will have the opportunity to practice the skills and techniques that are applicable for work within various Human Service consumer populations and age groups. The methods and techniques of course delivery will include standard lectures, case studies, video presentations, and group work/discussion.
COUN 2002 Corrections Career Preparation
A course designed to prepare the student for job search specifically focusing on the cover letter, resume, and interview situation.
PRAC 2005 Correctional Worker Practicum2
Through this placement experience, students demonstrate achievement of program outcomes.
PSYC 2000 Conflict Management
The first part of this course is designed to teach the skills and techniques of non-violent crisis intervention to the justice studies student. This is a hands-on experiential course where the required skill will be taught through role-plays and didactic exercises. Students will learn how to respond appropriately to defuse the anger and/or frustration in the disruptive individual. The student is able to receive certification from the Crisis Prevention Institution. The remainder of this course is an applied course in conflict resolution with an emphasis on mediation and negotiation. Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and SOCI 1004
