Diploma in Community and Justice Services
Centennial College
Key Information
Campus location
Toronto, Canada
Languages
English
Study format
Blended, Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
CAD 2,721 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
May 2024
* tuition 2 semesters Canadian students; CAD 15,693 - tuition 2 semesters International students
Introduction
- Program Code: 1206
- School: School of Community and Health Studies
- Credential: Ontario College Diploma
- Program Type: Post-secondary program
- Program Length: 2 years/ 4 semesters
- Location: Progress Campus
If you're fascinated with law and crime and want to help at-risk people and communities, the Community and Justice Services program is for you.
Facilitated by the School of Community and Health Studies, Community and Justice Services courses will help you to gain the expert knowledge and practical skills to work in diverse settings that address youth and adult populations that are at risk, currently incarcerated involved with the criminal justice system, or involved in rehabilitation programs.
In this diploma program, emphasis will be placed on:
- Prevention, intervention and rehabilitative strategies
- Practical communication
- Treatment approaches
- Group dynamics
- Program development and facilitation
- Case management and security skills
This program will include more than 400 hours of placement in and around Greater Toronto Area jails, group homes, community centres, courthouses and schools.
Please note:
- This program is taught using a combination of modalities. Courses may be delivered face-to-face, online, or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching.
- A minimum grade of C (60 percent) is required to pass all courses in this program, including GNED, COMM and ENGL.
Admissions
Curriculum
Semester 1
- CJSP-100 Personal Management 1: Preparing for Success
- CJSP-101 Introduction to the Adult Criminal Justice System
- CJSP-102 Youth Culture and the Law
- CJSP-105 Security Skills
- CJSP-111 Mental Health and Addictions 1: Introduction
- COMM-160/COMM-161 College Communications 1
- GNED General Education Elective
Semester 2
- CJSP-104 Applications of the Criminal Justice System: Youth & Adult
- CJSP-107 Ethical Issues in the Criminal Justice System
- CJSP-108 Field Practicum Preparation
- CJSP-112 Mental Health and Addictions 2: Strategies and Interventions
- CJSP-113 Interpersonal Communication Skills and Group Process and Development
- CJSP-114 Counselling Skills 1: Best Practices and Case Management
- COMM-170/COMM-171 College Communications 2
Semester 3
- CJSP-206 Building Community Partnerships
- CJSP-208. Field Practicum 1
- CJSP-214 Counselling Skills 2: Individual, Family & Group Work
- ENGL-205 Critical Thinking and Literature Review in the Community Justice Services
- GNED General Education Elective
Semester 4
- CJSP-203 Criminology
- CJSP-211 Field Practicum 2
- CJSP-212 Profiles
- CJSP-213 Personal Management 2: Preparing for Employment/Career
- GNED-500 Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action
Program Outcome
Program Highlights
- Active participation in the Community and Justice Services program is essential as you'll learn counselling, case management, risk assessment, care and control, and crisis and suicide intervention skills.
- You'll develop a professional portfolio.
- The third and fourth semesters will include field placements two days a week, with the other three days spent in class.
- The Community and Justice Services program has forged connections to the field that will provide you with an exceptional field placement learning experience and employment opportunities.
- Hands-on experience, working with diverse client groups in a variety of settings, and exposure to the criminal justice and community services field will open doors to the employment market.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Communicate in a manner consistent with professional ethics and practice, and a respect for self, others, and relevant law, policies and legislation.
- 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.
- Intervene with clients, individually and in groups, in order to address and manage barriers to promote inclusion, positive growth and personal development.
- Collect information, observe, monitor, record and assess client behaviour accurately in compliance with legal and organizational requirements.
- Assist in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict, crises, and emergency situations using intervention strategies as prescribed by relevant legislative requirements and industry standards and/or certification.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, supervisors and community justice stakeholders to maintain a productive, professional and safe working environment.
- 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.
- Apply knowledge of the history, philosophy, and diverse models of corrective action, of detention, rehabilitation, and reintegration to decision-making and institutional practices.
- Develop and implement self-care strategies using self-awareness, self-inquiry and reflection.
- Work in a manner consistent with professional ethics demonstrating respect for self, others and relevant legislation, policies and procedures in a multi-disciplinary workplace.
- 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.
- Promote inclusive practices within community and justice services to increase understanding within the community and meet the needs of diverse populations.
- Propose innovative solutions to address gaps in programs/services in the criminal justice sector through collaborations with community partners.
- Discuss how to engage in decolonizing actions within the professions of Community and Justice Services in the collective pursuit of reconciliation.
Career Opportunities
Companies Offering Jobs
Organizations that have hired program graduates include:
- Correctional Services Canada
- Springboard Services
- Ministry of the Solicitor General
- Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
- Ministry of the Attorney General
- Salvation Army
- Toronto District School Board
- Toronto Bail Program
- Kennedy House Youth Services
- Fernie House Youth Services
Career Outlook
- Youth Worker
- Correctional Officer
- Youth Services Officer
- Police Officer
- Bail Officer
- Court Officer
- Program Facilitator
- Agency/Institution Supervisor
- Youth Counsellor
- Outreach Worker
- Child/Adult Advocate
- Probation and Parole Officer (with degree)
- Victim Services and other higher-level positions in federal/provincial institutions.
Education Pathways
Successful graduates of this Community and Justice Services program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level. Please note that each pathway has a specific minimum grade requirement in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.
Areas of Employment
With a program emphasis on prevention, intervention and rehabilitation, you will be extremely marketable and in demand. As a Community and Justice Services graduate, you will possess the skills and knowledge you need for a career with at-risk populations (in the community and custodial settings), including involvement with gangs, addictions, criminal activity, lack of community support and services, institutionalization, and more.
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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