Honours Bachelor of Police Studies

Description

In this unique Honours Bachelor of Police Studies program, students experience hands-on engagement in such areas as forensics, cold case investigations, criminology, criminal behaviour analysis, geographic profiling and cybercrime. Students explore a broad range of themes related to policing, criminal justice, issues of diversity, professionalism, leadership, and scholarship. Approaching problems from a variety of perspectives supports critical thinking, sound decision-making, and innovation. Network building and connections with potential employers are provided by our strong partnerships with municipal, provincial, and federal police services and other criminal and civil justice-related agencies. These connections also provide valuable opportunities for a variety of field experiences through the fourteen-week co-op. Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in the justice field.

Career Opportunities

In addition to opportunities for further education, this program prepares our graduates for a variety of careers in the justice field including municipal, provincial and federal police services, Canadian Armed Forces, Canada Border Services, by-law enforcement, youth justice, private police, investigation, and corrections.

Program Learning Outcomes 

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. examine the influences of historical, current and future global trends on the policing profession;     
2. communicate effectively, orally and in writing, using structured and coherent arguments within and beyond police studies;
3. apply interpersonal, team building, and leadership skills in diverse settings; 
4. differentiate the structure and functions of national and international political, justice and legal systems including the wide variety of criminal and civil justice agencies and services;
5. gather, analyze and evaluate information using research methods and approaches appropriate to police studies;
6. provide ethical, accountable and effective professional practices to communities of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds;
7. assess and analyze the effectiveness and relevance of current judicial policies and procedures;
8. consider theories of deviance and social order in developing practical and effective evidence-based strategies and solutions to current issues in policing;
9. formulate personal and professional goals, including a leadership development plan, that contribute to ongoing professional development  and support autonomous professional practices;
10. apply critical thinking and analytical skills inside and outside the discipline.

Practical Experience

All co-operative education programs at Georgian contain mandatory work term experiences aligned with program learning outcomes.  Co-op work terms are designed to integrate academic learning with work experience, supporting the development of industry specific competencies and employability skills.

Georgian College holds membership with, and endeavours to follow, the co-operative education guidelines set out by the Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and Experiential and Work-Integrated Ontario (EWO) as supported by the Ministry of Colleges, Universities Research Excellence and Security.

Co-op is facilitated as a supported, competitive job search process. Students are required to complete a Co-op and Career Preparation course scheduled prior to their first co-op work term. Students engage in an active co-op job search that includes applying to positions on the internal job posting site and external job posting sites, accessing their personal network, researching companies of interest, preparing targeted and customized resumes and cover letters, participating in interviews, and using professional communication strategies with employers.

Programs may have additional requirements such as a valid driver’s license, strong communication skills, industry specific certifications, and ability to travel. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may be unable to complete the program progression as shown below. Please refer to Georgian College Academic Regulations for details.   

International co-op work terms are supported and encouraged, when aligned with program requirements.

Further information on co-op services can be found at www.GeorgianCollege.ca/co-op

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake - BAPS (direct entry stream)

• Sem 1: Fall 2026
• Sem 2: Winter 2027
• Sem 3: Fall 2027
• Sem 4: Winter 2028
• Sem 5: Fall 2028
• Sem 6: Winter 2029
• Work Term: Summer 2029
• Sem 7: Fall 2029
• Sem 8: Winter 2030

Fall Intake - BAPA (advanced standing stream)

Note: The advanced standing stream follows the Fall 2024 curriculum.

• Sem 5: Fall 2026
• Sem 6: Winter 2027
• Work Term: Summer 2027
• Sem 7: Fall 2027
• Sem 8: Winter 2028

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
• Minimum overall average of 65 per cent
• Six Grade 12 U or M level courses
• Grade 12 English (U)

Note: Police Foundations diploma graduates can apply to our advanced standing stream through OCAS using the major code of BAPA. 

Mature applicants may also be considered for admission to this program providing their previous school performance and/or recent work record suggests a strong possibility of academic success. In order to qualify, applicants must be 19 years of age on or before the commencement of the program and must have been away from formal education for at least one year immediately prior to beginning studies. Mature applicants must meet subject prerequisites prior to registration.

Applicants should be aware that first-year enrolment is limited; satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Selection Process

Selection is based on academic grades and subject prerequisites; applicants must meet minimum averages to receive final acceptance.

Additional Information

This college has been granted a consent by the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer this applied degree for a term of seven years starting July 9, 2025. The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

Non-core courses are required in all degree programs to meet the Ministry of Colleges and Universities benchmark for depth and breadth in degree-level learning. These courses are designed to give students the tools to develop interdisciplinary perspectives that inform their approach to their own discipline, their continued education and their life outside work.

Students are required to take: at least one first year interdisciplinary course (INTS1xxx); two introductory courses in their choice of disciplines outside their main field of study, which may include psychology (PSYC 1000 or PSYC 1001), social science (SOCI 1000), humanities (HUMA 1012), or science (SCEN 1000); one advanced course in a discipline (ex. PSYC3xxx, SOSC3xxx, HUMA3xxx), and; one upper level interdisciplinary course (INTS4xxx). These courses and any remaining non-core course requirements to be selected from the program list.

Please Note

In Canada the various federal, provincial and municipal acts and regulations outline special requirements for those entering a career as a law enforcement officer. Students wishing to pursue such careers should ensure that they will be able to meet the physical and educational requirements before enrolling. Potential students with a criminal record will need to discuss their personal situations with college before enrolling in the program. In some cases an official criminal record may make it more difficult for students to complete the program requirements and find related employment after graduation.

Graduation Requirements

28 Mandatory Core Courses
4 Core Elective Courses (Specialty Topics)
2 Mandatory Non-Core Courses
6 Elective Non-Core Courses
1 Co-op Work Term

Note: The advanced standing stream follows the curriculum and progression for the Fall 2024 intake.

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60 percent or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester, and have an overall average of 65 percent in core courses and 60% in non-core courses.

Program Tracking - BAPS (direct entry stream)

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Core Courses
POLC 1000	Introduction to Police Studies	42
POLC 1001	Strategic Communications	42
POLC 1002	Canadian Criminal Justice	42
POLC 1009	Diversity, Equity, and Human Rights	42
Non-Core Courses
INTS 1007	Interdisciplinary Modes of Communication	42
	Hours	210
Semester 2
Core Courses
POLC 1004	Fundamental Concepts of Criminal Law	42
POLC 1005	Health and Wellness 1	42
POLC 1008	Community Policing	42
Elective Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration		42
Non-Core Courses
INTS 1002	Introduction to Multidisciplinary Research	42
	Hours	210
Semester 3
Core Courses
POLC 2003	Police Powers in Canada	42
POLC 2006	Provincial Offences	42
POLC 2008	Health and Wellness 2	42
POLC 2009	Youth Crime and Justice	42
Elective Non-Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 4
Core Courses
POLC 2007	Mental Health Issues	42
POLC 2010	Introduction to Forensic Science	42
POLC 2011	Criminology	42
POLC 2013	Public Safety and Emergency Management	42
Elective Non-Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 5
Core Courses
POLC 3012	Policing and Society	42
POLC 3014	Introduction to Research Methods for Policing	42
POLC 3015	Advanced Communication Skills	42
Elective Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
Elective Non-core Courses
Select 1 course at the 3000-level from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 6
Core Courses
POLC 3002	Foundations of Interviewing	42
POLC 3008	Criminal Procedures and Evidence	42
POLC 3013	Principles of Ethical Reasoning and Policing	42
POLC 3016	Global Crime and Criminal Justice	42
Elective Non-Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 7
Core Courses
POLC 4014	Dispute Resolution	42
POLC 4015	Criminal Behaviour and Analysis	42
POLC 4018	Leadership in Policing	42
Elective Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration		42
Elective Non-Core Courses
Select 1 course at the INTS 4000-level from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 8
Core Courses
POLC 4016	Honours Research Capstone	42
POLC 4019	Advanced Police Practices	42
POLC 4020	Cold Case Experience	42
Elective Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
Elective Non-Core Courses
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
	Total Hours	1680

Program Tracking - BAPA (advanced standing stream)

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 5		Hours
Core Courses
POLC 3002	Foundations of Interviewing	42
POLC 3007	Criminal Law: Advanced Theories	42
POLC 3012	Policing and Society	42
Elective Core Course (Specialty Topics Core or Non-Core)
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
Elective Non-Core Courses
Select 1 course at the 3000-level from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 6
Core Courses
POLC 3008	Criminal Procedures and Evidence	42
POLC 3013	Principles of Ethical Reasoning and Policing	42
POLC 3014	Introduction to Research Methods for Policing	42
Elective Courses (Specialty Topics: Core or Non-core)
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
Elective Non-Core Course
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 7
Core Courses
POLC 4005	Human Resources Management in Policing	42
POLC 4014	Dispute Resolution	42
Non-Core Course
MNGM 1000	Leadership Models and Theories	42
Elective Core Course (Specialty Courses: Core and Non-Core)
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
Elective Non-Core Course
Select 1 course at the INTS 4000-level from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
Semester 8
Core Courses
POLC 4001	Professional Standards in Policing	42
POLC 4015	Criminal Behaviour and Analysis	42
POLC 4016	Honours Research Capstone	42
Elective Core Course (Specialty Topics: Core or Non-Core)
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
Elective Non-Core Courses
Select 1 course from the available list during registration.		42
	Hours	210
	Total Hours	840

Plan of Study Grid

Co-op Work Term		Hours
COOP 1018	Police Studies Work Term 1	560
	Hours	560
	Total Hours	560

Course List

Code	Title
Elective Core Courses (Specialty Topics)
POLC 3009	Biology of Crime
POLC 3010	Terrorism and Violent Extremism
POLC 3011	Physical Fitness Training for Policing
POLC 3017	Crime Mapping
POLC 4003	Major Incident Command and Negotiating Skills
POLC 4004	Public And Media Relations
POLC 4006	Forensic Science: Advanced Techniques and Application
POLC 4007	Contemporary Social Movements
POLC 4008	Organized Crime
POLC 4009	Cyber: Space, Crime and Security
POLC 4010	Corporate and White Collar Crime
POLC 4011	Police Governance
POLC 4012	Victimology
POLC 4017	Police Studies Advanced Perspectives

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of four years (as stated above) may take a maximum of eight years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.