Criminal Psychology and Behaviour

Program: CPSY
Credential: Certificate
Delivery: Part-time - online
Duration: 252 Hours
Effective: Fall 2025
Location: Orillia

Description

This program will enhance the knowledge and skill set of individuals who work or volunteer in corrections, law enforcement, security, women's shelters, human services, youth at risk, or individuals who have a special interest in criminal psychology and behaviour. The program explores why individuals become criminals as well as why individuals are attracted to those with deviant behaviours. The program also explores factors that research suggests underlie criminal behaviours.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will gain an understanding of the concepts and issues regarding criminal behaviour which could provide opportunities in the workplace. This program could lead to working or volunteering in a corrections program, working or volunteering at a women's shelter or working with youth at risk or individuals.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. explain and discuss various theories and predictions about psychopaths;
  2. illustrate a working knowledge and understanding of criminal psychology and the criminal mind;
  3. outline issues in criminal psychology psychopathic minds;
  4. examine psychological models related to criminology;
  5. discuss forms of sexual violence perpetrated by individuals;
  6. examine the reasons for sexually deviant behaviours and review relevant approaches and strategies for treatment;
  7. define co-dependency and explain the types of relationships;
  8. examine conflict resolution strategies and whether they work to reduce incidents of violent behaviour.

Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD); or equivalent, mature student status
  • Grade 12 English (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Graduation Requirements

6 Program Courses

Graduation Eligibility

The passing weighted average to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course.

Program Tracking

Plan of Study Grid
Program CoursesHours
GNED 1046 Cults and Terrorism (ODE) 45
PSYL 1005 Criminal Psychology - Antisocial/Psychopathic Minds (ODE) 42
PSYL 1006 Criminal Psychology - Criminal Minds (ODE) 42
PSYL 1009 Domestic and Workplace Violence (ODE) 42
PSYL 1025 Sexual Violence (ODE) 42
PSYL 1026 Mental Health and Substance Use Issues in Justice-Involved Individuals (ODE) 42
 Hours255
 Total Hours255

Graduation Window

Students registered in part-time studies programs must maintain continuous registration in order to complete the program according to the curriculum in place at the time they were admitted. Students who do not remain continuously registered must be readmitted to the program and follow the new curriculum.

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.

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