Full-time Programs
INVP - Protection, Security and Investigations (formerly Investigation and Protection Studies)
Program Entry
January and September
Program Length
Two-Year Ontario College Diploma
| Contact: | E-mail: |
|---|---|
| Melanie Rabishaw, Year One Coordinator | mrabishaw@loyalistc.on.ca |
| Kevin Rowcliffe Year Two Coordinator | Krowcliffe@loyalistc.on.ca |
On This Page
Highlights
- The rapid growth of the enforcement, inspection, investigation and security fields has created a shortage of qualified personnel, which means less competition, greater opportunities for advancement, and higher salaries.
- There has been an increased demand for safety, enforcement and investigative services as a result of local and global events including 9/11, SARS, and fear of violent crimes.
- Two four-week practicums offer a competitive job edge to Loyalist graduates.
- Our graduates get jobs. Surveys of recent graduates show full employment including attractive starting salaries, particularly for those willing to relocate.
- A common first year curriculum prepares students to specialize in any justice program in their second year.
- Small classes with our dedicated and experienced faculty mean more personal attention.
- Loyalist graduates of this program are highly regarded and sought after by employers.
Career Opportunities
This unique program prepares graduates for careers as investigators, enforcement officers, special constables, fraud investigators/ analysts, emergency planners, and a variety of other private and public law enforcement opportunities.
Our graduates find careers in government security/investigative functions, private enforcement agencies (public utilities, hospitals, universities, casinos, transit), investigations (retail, fraud, insurance, corporate, undercover), risk analysis, security auditing, by-law enforcement, alcohol and gaming enforcement, armoured security services, and nuclear security.
Graduates are also eligible to apply for careers with police services, RCMP, and military police. Many careers in enforcement and policing require applicants to pass a qualifying examination, which may include physical fitness testing, psychological testing, a written examination, as well as a police background check.
Program Description
The common 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. Students develop essential career skills in ethical decision-making, computers and communications.
The first year is common to all of Loyalist’s programs in Justice Studies, allowing the flexibility to transfer to a program in Customs Border Services, Community and Justice Services Worker, or Police Foundations.
Greater specialization in the second year focuses on preparing students for a challenging and exciting career in the rapidly expanding safety, security and investigations industry in either the public or private sector. Graduates are equipped to conduct threat risk assessments and to audit an organization’s security procedures. They are qualified to design a new security system or recommend changes to existing procedures.
Students will also gain an in-depth understanding of enforcement procedures, risk management and threat risk assessments, tort and contract law, and emergency planning. At the same time, they develop effective investigative techniques, which focus on areas such as interviewing and statement-taking, critical thinking and problem solving, and gathering evidence.
Classroom studies in the second year are enhanced by two four-week practicums. This provides students with real-world employment experience, and the opportunity to make an immediate and significant contribution while defining an occupational direction. Students have the opportunity to graduate into a job.
Approximate Cost
Tuition/Ancillary Fees: $3,393 (two semesters)
Consumables Fee: $10
Books and Supplies: $1,240
Relocation and travel may be required for work placement (practicum) experience – additional costs may be incurred.
Admission Requirements
(a) Required academic preparation –
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) (M) or (O) level, and
- Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent
OR
(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 Founda tions, Community and Justice Services, or Customs Border Services, are encouraged to discuss this with their faculty advisor and/or 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 are encouraged to review their qualifications with the program coordinator.
(d) Criminal Record Check: All students must undergo a criminal record check and/or vulnerable sector screening in order to qualify for the practicum component of the program. Please check with the program coordinator for details.
(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.
Loyalist / University Transfer
Turn your diploma into a degree. Credit transfer agreements are in place with the following institutions as of September 2011:
- Algoma University College
- Athabasca University
- Davenport University
- Griffith University
- Laurentian University
- Nipissing University
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Click here for details. Graduates may contact the university to make individual arrangements. Informal agreements are in place with other institutions and new transfer agreements are added annually.
Curriculum
First Year - Semester One
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
This course provides the student with an overview of the Canadian Criminal Justice System with a particular emphasis on the function, role and organization of the primary components of the system. There will be particular focus on; victims, enforcement, courts, corrections and the political framework under which the Canadian Criminal Justice System operates. The function of the Criminal Justice System will be examined in relation to issues affecting the system. Specific careers in the field of justice will be examined.
COMM 1038 Communicating for Results 1
Learn to communicate effectively in writing, incorporate correct use of basic grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction.
First Year - Semester Two
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.
COUN 1010 Student Success 2
This course is aimed at developing successful students. This curriculum will cover a number of topics, such as time management, learning styles, test taking, note taking, reading comprehension, and health and wellness and learning, but will also be developed throughout the course in consultation with the students.
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.
LASA 1003 Diversity and First Nations People
In this course, students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity. Specifically, students will focus on topics pertaining to inequality in various social settings, including but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, class, and sexual orientation. Incorporating social/legal explanations of diversity, students will develop a clear understanding of the impacted groups and possible strategies of community empowerment. The student will increase knowledge and awareness of important issues in the First Nations cultures of Canada. The legal status of First Nations peoples will be explored along with the Native rights and self-determination. Other critical issues relating to land claims, justice and social services will be studied.
COMM 1039 Communicating for Results 2
TBA
SOCI 1016 Sociology of Crime and Deviance
TBA
Second Year - Semester Three
PRAC 2000 Placement Preparation
A course designed to assist the student to review or develop skills in preparation for field placement and future employment in the Investigation and Protection field. The course focuses on issues that may arise on placement with an emphasis on problem solving.
PRAC 2001 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. At the discretion of the placement host, students are assigned practical tasks that enable them to enhance career knowledge and skills.
SECR 2004 Enforcement Procedures
This course will introduce students to provincial and federal statutes most commonly encountered by private law enforcement personnel. Licensing requirements under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act will be examined, along with provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Criminal Code, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Practical exercises emphasizing powers of arrest, use of force and search and seizure will all be completed during the course of study. Students will interpret and apply provincial statutes and definitions including Trespass to Property Act, Liquor License Act, Mental Health Act, Tenant Protection Act and Provincial Offences Act.
SECR 2005 Physical Security and Crime Prevention
This course provides the student with an introduction to security technology that is utilized within the Security industry today. Emphasis will be placed on researching, gathering and identifying new security technologies and learning the many aspects of when and where the equipment could and should be used. This provides the students with the basic knowledge and principles of identifying and managing security risks. Students are provided with a thorough understanding of crime and its prevention through the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Techniques.
SECR 2007 Risk Management
In this course, students will learn the importance of Risk Management, Threat Risk Analysis and the Security Audit to protect against loss. Students will participate in a threat risk analysis and complete security audit which involves the identification of an organizations operations and assets, examining different “threats” that may jeopardize them, and determining the overall vulnerability of the assets to those threats. Students will then make appropriate recommendations to protect the assets.
INVP 2000 Report Writing for Investigation and Protection Services
This course is designed to give students the knowledge and practice needed to develop the written and oral communication skills necessary for a successful career in investigations and law enforcement. Students will understand the general concepts of the communication process, the barriers that interfere with communication, and develop ways to overcome these barriers. Students will develop hands on experience writing memos, emails, letters, incident reports and business cases.
PSIN 2000 Private Investigator
Description to come.
Second Year - Semester Four
COUN 2001 Career Preparation
Preparation for employment by identifying prospective employers, relevant employment skills, preparing effective resumes and portfolios, and completing an employment interview simulation.
PRAC 2002 Practicum 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 the students Field placement objectives. At the discretion of the placement host, students are assigned practical tasks that enable them to enhance career knowledge and skills.
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 & SOCI 1004
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.
SECR 2002 Investigative Techniques
This course provides an introduction and in-depth study of private law enforcement concerns. The focus of this course is to develop knowledge and skills in essential issues subject to investigations in private industry. Issues addressed include: industrial espionage, terrorism, fraud and theft, loss prevention, white collar crime, computer crimes, private investigation techniques, labour disputes, workplace violence, substance abuse in the workplace, sexual offence investigations, health and safety law, accident investigations, and executive protection. Students are expected to undertake extensive related research.
SECR 2003 Interviewing, Investigation & Evidence
This course focuses on interviewing and investigation skills, and the rules of evidence. Students will examine the steps to an investigation and the legal issues related to the successful completion of both criminal and non-criminal investigations. Students will develop interviewing skills necessary to retrieve information from victims, witnesses, and suspects. Students will demonstrate effective management of a crime scene through hands on practical exercises.
SECR 2006 Emergency Planning
This course provides the student with an understanding of the importance of emergency planning and response. Emphasis will be placed on identifying potential emergencies, and planning, organizing and managing emergency situations to reduce negative impacts to the business in a cost-effective manner. Students will be given an overview of the principles of emergency management, and be expected to complete an emergency response plan based on a selected area of threat.
