Community & Justice Services | St. Clair College
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September

Pathways:
Upon graduation, the following pathway to a degree is available:
Community & Justice Services Bridge - CC99

Contact:
Melissa Kakuk
519-972-2727 ext. 4977

Program Overview

The Community and Justice Services program focuses on at-risk and high-risk client groups in both community and institutional settings. The nature of these environments and the diversity of clients demand a highly trained workforce able to intervene effectively using best practices in order to ensure the protection of the public and the safety of the community, staff, and clients. This program is designed to prepare students for front-line careers in the justice system with attention to custody, risk assessment, case management, intervention strategies, and reintegration.

Program Highlights

  • The comprehensive curriculum involves both theory and hands-on learning and prepares students for a wide variety of careers related to institutional and community-based services as well as other areas of law enforcement.
  • Specialized courses such as Youth in Conflict with the Law, Institutional Correctional Practices, and Restorative Justice are taught by field experts providing first-hand expertise about existing issues and current trends.
  • Students obtain invaluable experience working with at-risk client groups through an intensive work placement experience. This connects students to the community and many employment opportunities.
  • Students will complete occupational requirements for border, correctional and police services via PARE, FITCO and PREP fitness assessments.

Career Opportunities

Careers may be based in youth facilities; federal and provincial correctional institutions; justice agencies; policing and community agencies, programs and services.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of courses at the College(C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:

  • Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4U or EAE4C.

Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.

Important Information

Some correctional agencies have minimum hearing and vision standards.

Health Requirements

Applicants must be able to physically perform the duties of this position. Students will complete occupational requirements for border, correctional and police services via PARE, FITCO and PREP fitness assessments. Any student seeking entry into this program should evaluate their physical readiness in anticipation of a rigorous fitness routine.

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
JUS103
Issues In Canadian Criminal Justice
3
JUS104
Psychology For Law And Justice
3
JUS102
Interpersonal & Group Dynamics
3
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
JUS101
Lifestyle & Fitness Management I
3
JUS105
Ethics And Professionalism
3
JUS100
Law And Justice Communications I
3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
JUS201
Lifestyle & Fitness Management II
3
CJS201
Youth Justice System
3
JUS202
Conflict Management
3
CJS203
Institutional Correction Practices
3
JUS203
Criminology
3
JUS200
Law & Justice Communications II
3
CJS204
Correctional Interviews & Counselling
3
JUS211
Mental Health And Addiction Awareness For First Responders
3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
HSC168
First Aid, CPR, Defibrillator
1
CJS352
Work-Integrated Learning And Skills Development
14
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3

*Both ELEC1030 courses MUST be online

Semester 4
Code Title Credits
CJS406
Youth Issues
3
CJS407
Inclusive Community Practices
3
CJS401
Restorative Justice/Practices
3
CJS403
Safe & Secure Environment
3
CJS404
Rehabilitation And Reintegration Programming
3
CJS205
Diversity Issues In The Canadian Justice System
3
CJS411
Integrative Seminar
3

View Pre/Co-Requisites for Community & Justice Services

*Lab components of Fitness classes within this program are delivered at the main campus.

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
JUS103
Issues In Canadian Criminal Justice
3
JUS104
Psychology For Law And Justice
3
JUS102
Interpersonal & Group Dynamics
3
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
JUS101
Lifestyle & Fitness Management I
3
JUS105
Ethics And Professionalism
3
JUS100
Law And Justice Communications I
3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
CJS201
Youth Justice System
3
CJS202
Community Correction Practices
3
CJS203
Institutional Correction Practices
3
JUS203
Criminology
3
JUS200
Law & Justice Communications II
3
CJS204
Correctional Interviews & Counselling
3
JUS211
Mental Health And Addiction Awareness For First Responders
3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
CJS310
Field Placement
21
HSC168
First Aid CPR Defibrillator
1

*ELEC1030 MUST be online

Semester 4
Code Title Credits
JUS202
Conflict Management
3
CJS401
Restorative Justice/Practices
3
JUS201
Lifestyle & Fitness Management II
3
CJS403
Safe & Secure Environment
3
CJS404
Rehabilitation And Reintegration Programming
3
CJS205
Diversity Issues In The Canadian Justice System
3
CJS406
Youth Issues
3
CJS407
Inclusive Community Practices
3

Special Conditions

Students must have achieved an overall program Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or greater to enroll in the placement course CJS352 (Work-Integrated Learning and Skills Development).

Corequisite

Students must successfully complete HSC168 - First Aid, CPR, AED prior to attending placement. This course is provided as part of the pre-placement workshops for CJS352 in Semester 3.

Police Clearances

Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear Police Record Check for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense.

The police clearance is due the first week of Semester 3. If students are unable to obtain this police clearance by the first week of Semester 3, they jeopardize the opportunity to complete placement. Students who cannot obtain a police clearance, will not be able to attend placement and therefore will not be able to complete the program.

Immunization/Vaccination

Some placements require proof of a satisfactory medical examination and immunization prior to going on placement.

Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of the placement sites changes at any point, students will be notified immediately by the College.

It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their place of business, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.

Other

Reliable transportation is required, as students may be placed anywhere in Windsor-Essex County. Students are responsible for their own travel and costs related to their field placement experiences.

Students will be expected to wear professional attire and conform with the professional requirements of their placement provider.

All required training modules (WHMIS, Access Forward Customer Service Training, AODA Training) must be completed prior to placement start.

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2023-2024 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Program Physical Demands Analysis

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Community and Justice Services (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 50705)

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Communicate in a manner consistent with professional ethics and practice, and a respect for self, others, and relevant law, policies and legislation.  
  2. Employ all relevant static and dynamic safety and security techniques to ensure the protection of the public, staff, and clients in institutional, residential, and community settings.
  3. Intervene with clients, individually and in groups, in order to address and manage barriers to promote inclusion, positive growth and personal development.  
  4. Collect information, observe, monitor, record and assess client behaviour accurately in compliance with legal and organizational requirements.
  5. Assist in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict, crises, and emergency situations using intervention strategies as prescribed by relevant legislative requirements and industry certification and/or standards.  
  6. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, supervisors and community justice stakeholders to maintain a productive, professional and safe working environment.  
  7. Engage in program planning, implementation, assessment, and evaluation to meet the needs of clients, staff, community and administration within the context of an interdisciplinary setting.
  8. Apply knowledge of the history, philosophy, and diverse models of corrective action, of detention, rehabilitation, and reintegration to decision-making and institutional practices.
  9. Develop and implement self-care strategies using self-awareness, self-inquiry and reflection.
  10. Work in a manner consistent with professional ethics demonstrating respect for self, others and relevant legislation, policies and procedures in a multi-disciplinary workplace.  
  11. Assess and respond to the strengths and needs of clients, including complex responses impacted by mental health, addictions and other social factors in order to support and promote positive change.
  12. Promote inclusive practices within community and justice services to increase understanding within the community and meet the needs of diverse populations.