Prepare for a career helping others in a correctional setting

Sheridan’s Community and Justice Services Program prepares you for a future working within the correctional field, often dealing with adult offenders or members of vulnerable sectors of society, like youth.

The program combines a strong theoretical foundation in the social sciences, particularly psychology, criminal law and criminology, with an intensive hands-on experiential focus.

Our criminal justice studies curriculum helps you hone your human relations and interpersonal skills as well as equipping you with skills such as:
  • Proper use of static and dynamic security techniques
  • Correctional program development and implementation
  • Crisis intervention and prevention methods
  • Offender case management
Professors teaching your college classes are not only outstanding educators, but are also well experienced in the correctional field. You'll learn through:

  • Group activities including mock interviews, role playing and collaborative assignments
  • Presentations by guest speakers from the field
  • Field trips to facilities such as youth centres, jails and halfway houses
  • Lectures by criminal justice program instructors

Field Practicum


Following an individual interview to determine your specific career interests, you'll undertake a field placement in a correctional setting such as an adult institution, youth facility, community-based agency or residential facility. This practicum experience is an excellent springboard to future employment for many students. 


Prior to your placement, and at your own expense, you must obtain certification in CPR (Basic Rescuer), St. John Standard First Aid and a criminal record check including a vulnerable sector check.

The Community and Justice Services Program is located at the Davis Campus in Brampton, Ontario.

By the end of this program graduates will have the ability to:

  • Work and communicate in a manner consistent with professional ethics and practice.
  • Employ relevant security techniques to ensure the protection of the public and intervene with clients to facilitate constructive behaviour change.
  • Observe, monitor, record and assess client behaviour accurately.
  • Assist in the prevention and resolution of conflict, crisis and emergency situations.
  • Establish and maintain constructive relationships.
  • Participate in program planning, implementation and assessment.
  • Apply knowledge of social science concepts when interacting with clients, staff, professionals and the public.

CODE TITLE CREDITS
 
TERM 1
COMM 19999 Essential Communication Skills 3
JUST 13344 Introduction to the Canadian Justice System 3
LEIS 13678 Integrated Justice Seminar/Fitness and Lifestyles 3
PHIL 1011G Ethics/Critical Thinking 3
PSYC 15065G Psychology Core Concepts 3
CCGE General Education Elective 3
 
Total: 18
 
TERM 2
CSRV 10273 Victim Issues 3
JUST 15366 Community Corrections 3
JUST 15812 Youth in Conflict with the Criminal Justice System 3
FLPL 17491 Field Observation and Seminar 3
PSYC 12399 Psych: Abnormal Behaviour 3
SOCI 16039G Introduction to Sociology 3
 
Total: 18
 
TERM 3
SOCS 24980 Group Work Dynamics - CW 3
SOCS 19387 Criminology 3
JUST 28824 Offender Management and Programming 3
JUST 20441 Defensive Tactics and Safety Issues 3
FLPL 14349 Field Practicum 1: Community and Justice Services 5
FLPL 10726 Field Seminar 1: Community and Justice Services 1
 
Total: 18
 
TERM 4
CSRV 15436 Resolving Conflict in Community and Justice Services 3
SOCS 23270 Applied Criminology 3
FLPL 21333 Field Practicum 2: Community and Justice Services 8
FLPL 26217 Field Seminar 2: Community and Justice Services 1
CCGE General Education Elective 3
 
Total: 18
Sheridan — where organizations hire their best employees. When you have completed your Community and Justice Services college diploma program, you'll be ready to be employed in:
  • Youth facilities
  • Jails or adult correctional institutions
  • Halfway houses
  • Community centres
Note: Careers in probation and/or parole require a university degree.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses: 
        

  • One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U)

or

Mature student status. (See "Admissions" section for details)

APPLICANT SELECTION

Eligible applicants will be selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses).

As well, applicants should be aware of the physical demands of the field, and course work, and explore possible field placement and employment related standards before applying.

Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs. 
 

CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK AND IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Sheridan field placement agencies may require a police record check for criminal offences, a vulnerable sector check and/or a current acceptable record of immunization. Students will be required to provide this documentation directly to their field placement prior to the start of the placement and at their own expense. Students who cannot meet these requirements may have limited field placement opportunities. Please refer to the Sheridan Health Services website at Immunization.sheridancollege.ca for complete information, or come in to one of the campus health centres.

*Course duration for September starts is two academic years. Course duration for January starts is 16 months continuous.

Program Offerings

Program Details

Faculty:
Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies
Program Code:
PCAJS
Duration:
2 Year Regular (PCAJS)
Designation:
Ontario College Diploma
Campus:
Davis Campus
Start:
September, January