Full-time Programs
CUSB - Customs Border Services (formerly Customs and Immigration)
CUST - Customs and Immigration (now Customs Border Services)
Program Entry
SEPTEMBER AND JANUARY
Program Length
Two-Year Ontario College Diploma
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Melanie Rabishaw, Year One Coordinator | mrabishaw@loyalistc.on.ca |
| Kathryn deGast-Kennedy, Year Two Coordinator | kdegastkennedy@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- Canadian border security is emerging as a defining issue in public safety and global business.
- Jobs are plentiful and lucrative, especially for those who are willing to relocate.
- A common first-year curriculum prepares students to
specialize in any justice program in their second year. - Opportunity to graduate with a certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
- Two work placements provide eight weeks of on-the-job experience.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions with customs brokerages dealing with importing and exporting goods, private businesses, and freight forwarders that ship goods throughout the world. Graduates are also qualified to apply for positions as officers with Canada Border Services Agency, overseeing customs and immigration at airports and other border points.
Depending on the position, starting salaries can range from $30,000 to $32,000 in the private sector, and entry-level government salaries beginning in the mid-$60,000s.
Program Description
The events of 9/11 have had a profound effect on Canada’s customs and immigration system, and the field has changed dramatically. The first year of this program provides students with a sound knowledge of the justice system and insight into Canada’s current social and political structures, as well as human behaviour. The curriculum is common to all Loyalist’s programs in Justice Studies, allowing the flexibility to transfer credits toward a diploma in Community and Justice Services, Paralegal, Investigation and Protection Studies, or Police Foundations.
The second year focuses on legal issues, practices and procedures directly related to the import/export field. Students develop an insight into the essential skills that are required in the border services field. Included in these skills are those related to listening, observing, critical thinking, conflict management and decision making. With a strong focus on written and verbal communications in all four semesters of the program, Loyalist graduates are highly regarded by employers.
Approximate Cost
Tuition/Ancillary Fees: $3,096 (two semesters)
Consumables Fee: $55
Books and Supplies: $600
Note: Students should budget for relocation and travel to participate in field placement work experience.
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
Recommended academic preparation –
- mathematics and geography
(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, Community and Justice Services, or Investigation and Protection Studies, are encouraged to discuss this with their faculty advisor and/or program coordinator.
(c) Police Background Check: In order to participate in the field placement in Year Two, students will be required to complete a criminal record check and police background check by their local police service which indicates no criminal record. Some applicants may not be eligible for the required field placement.
(d) 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.
(e) 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 are encouraged to review their qualifications with the program coordinator.
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
Electives: COUN 1010
Additional fees may apply.
Second Year - Semester Three
COMM 2001 Communications 3
This course emphasizes improvement in basic Communications skills. Writing styles, editing, and different approaches to writing are taught.
CUST 2000 Customs and Immigration - Statutes and Regulations
A course designated to familiarize the student with related Federal Statutes as they pertain to the Import and Export Field, and Canadian Immigration Law.
CUST 2002 Customs Administration
An introductory course in the application of legislation and regulations governing Customs and Excise in the importation and the Exportation of goods is studied.
CUST 2003 Brokerage and Logistics
A course which introduces the student to the Import and Export Business, the first part concentrating on the Customs Brokerage industry in Canada. Part 2, looks at the movement of goods, geographical problems that may occur in transportation and general transportation systems (logistics) in other words, looking into the world of Freight Forwarders. Prerequisite or Corequisite: Customs and Immigration - Statutes and Regulations.
PRAC 2006 Customs - Placement Preparation
A course designed to prepare the student for their Field Placement Practicum in the Customs, Immigration, Brokerage, Freight Forwarder and Private Industry (Importing/Exporting) Fields. Also a Computer/Math component is built into this area of study.
PRAC 2007 Customs and Immigration - Practicum 1
Customs and Immigration - Practicum 1 A Field placement course designed to provide the student with the opportunity of observing career functions and perform a variety of assigned tasks within the Program Option Goals and the students Field placement objectives.
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.
Second Year - Semester Four
COMM 2002 Communications Competencies for Enforcement
This course will utilize the skills developed in previous Communications courses allowing the student to write professional reports, business letters, and memos. Prerequisites: COMM 1010; COMM 1011; COMM 2001
COMP 2002 Customs Computer Applications
A course that is computer based with practical applications, leading the student through the Canadian Import and Export Process with actual data, form and computer usage. Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester three courses.
COUN 2003 Customs- Career Preparation
A course that is designed to increase the depth of understanding self and the process of successful employment search in the Import and Export Field. Research, Testing and Mock Interviewing is included. Prerequisite: Successful completion of semester three courses.
CUST 2004 Customs Administration 2
A course that gives the student an in-depth look into the working and practices of Customs Administration. A working knowledge of Customs requirements in reference to Regulations. Administration of the Importation and Exportation of Goods is stressed. Prerequisite: CUST 2002
CUST 2006 Brokerage and Logistics 2
A course which furthers the students' knowledge in the Import and Export business, concentrating on the Customs Brokerage and Transportation Industry in Canada. Also the course looks at the movement of goods, geographical problems that may occur in transportation and general transportation systems in depth. Prerequisites: Brokerage and Logistics 1
PRAC 2035 Customs and Immigration Prac 2
A field placement course designed to provide the student with the opportunity of observing career functions and perform a variety of assigned tasks within the Program Option Goals and their field placement objectives. Prerequisite: Successful completion of All semester three courses, including Practicum 1 and semester four courses.
CUST 2007 Vehicle Search
TBA
