Justice Studies

Earn 2 Credentials
HONOURS BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN JUSTICE STUDIES
from the University of Guelph
+
DIPLOMA IN COMMUNITY AND JUSTICE SERVICES OR POLICE FOUNDATIONS
from Humber

Future options include:

Anti-terrorism Analyst
Police Officer
Corporate Investigator
Victim Services Worker
Bylaw Enforcement
Crime Analyst
Police Officer
Anti-money Laundering Investigator
Research Analyst
Corporate Security Manager
Court Reporter
Parole Officer
Forensic Investigator
Certified Protection Professional
Border Services Officer

Graduate school and further education

Law School (local/international)
Bachelor of Education (Teachers College)
Master of Public Administration
Master of Arts in Political Science
Master of Arts in Social Justice

Master of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice Policy
Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Graduate Certificate in Insurance Management - Property & Casualty
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Investigations & Enforcement

Note: Some careers and entry into further education may require additional study.

If you don't see your career goal listed here - talk to us! There are many more options.

Get to Know Us Better

Discover U of GH at Fall Info Day!

Learn More

Find out how to apply

Admission Info

Check out the 2025 Viewbook

Download

What will I learn?

Graduate with a degree that opens doors to multiple career pathways where you can make a difference. Discover where your interests lie in the broad field of Justice Studies.

Learn about the Canadian justice system, understand social justice issues, and explore the development of community programs, ways to work with victims and offenders, and methods of crime prevention.

Study diversity, inclusion and equity; mental health and first aid; and globalization. Build key skills such as critical thinking, research methods and how to write effectively and prepare for a future in private, institutional or community settings.

1^st year: Build a foundation in justice and related fields.

2^ndyear: Begin to take courses that touch on various services and how they are delivered including counselling, conflict resolution, forensics and policing. Decide which diploma to pursue:

Diploma in Community & Justice Services: Focuses on social issues and explores the development of community programs, ways to work with both victims and offenders, and methods of crime prevention.
Diploma in Police Foundations: Prepares you for a career in the various levels of law enforcement in the Canadian justice system.

3^rd/4^th years: Move on to advanced courses that immerse you in topics such as ethics; rights and freedoms; youth and the law; and criminology.

Be career ready
Get the preparation needed for law school, locally or abroad. Our graduates come back to tell us just how well-prepared they were for their studies, standing out among their peers. Our student-led, justice-focused extracurriculars are outstanding hands-on experience (see "Learn outside of class", below). Other steps you can take include:

Select a placement in a law office or perhaps the Crown Attorney's Office
Take advantage of GH info sessions for LSAT and applying to law school

We can prepare you for work in police services, border services and other law enforcement. Evaluate staged crime scenes in our crime scene investigation (CSI) room. Use mock court to role-play a case. Learn investigative techniques and how to handle evidence.

Looking for other grad school options? You’ll get the academic foundation and practical applications to prepare you for a range of graduate studies.

Explore your courses

Popular course: Investigative Techniques

Crime & Criminal Justice
Forensic Techniques
Conflict Resolution
Youth & the Law
Ethics & the Justice System
Addictions & Mental Health

Note: Courses listed above are a selection from all four years of the program. For a course breakdown by year, click on the Program Overview below.

Program Overview

200 hours of workplace experience

0 hrs 2^nd Year

0 hrs 3^rd Year

Past placement partners include:

Various police services
Law offices
Ministry of the Attorney General
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Forensic Psychiatry Program
Private investigation/security companies
Canada Border Services Agency
Toronto South Detention Centre/Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General
Elizabeth Fry Society
Public Safety Canada
Toronto Court Services
Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services
Special Investigations Unit (SIU)

Note: You may be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening and/or Criminal Reference Check prior to placement.

What will I learn?

Transfer to U of GH and steer your career with a degree that opens doors to diverse opportunities where you make a difference. Graduate with knowledge of, and hands-on experience with, political and social issues; public policy; and Canada’s justice system that can be applied directly to a specific role or further studies.

Highlights

Work with justice professionals, get exposure to current issues and build important transferable skills through your studies and unique extracurricular opportunities
Understand diversity, inclusion and equity; mental health and first aid; and globalization
Choose to complete your diploma in either Community and Justice Services (focuses on social issues and explores the development of community programs, ways to work with both victims and offenders, and methods of crime prevention) OR Police Foundations (prepares you for a career in the various levels of law enforcement in the Canadian justice system)

Get the preparation needed for law school, locally or abroad. Our graduates come back to tell us just how well-prepared they were for their studies—standing out among their peers. Our student-led, justice-focused extracurriculars are outstanding hands-on experience (see "Learn outside of class", below). Other steps you can take include:

Select a placement in a law office or the Crown Attorney's Office
Attend GH info sessions for LSAT and applying to law school

Looking for other grad school options? You’ll get the academic foundation and practical applications to prepare you for a range of graduate studies.

Get to Know Us Better

Discover U of GH at Fall Info Day!

Learn More

Discover how to apply

Admission Info

2025 Transfer Applicant Guide

Download

Transfer pathways

If you have any postsecondary education and you wish to apply to the University of Guelph-Humber, then you are a Transfer Applicant.

College block credit transfer pathways

Our college block credit transfer pathways allow you to move seamlessly with your college diploma into our honours program.

If you are in your final year of diploma completion, or have completed diploma, in one of the following recognized Ontario college two-year diplomas (or equivalent), with a minimum cumulative average of low to mid-70s you are eligible for 10.0 transfer credits (equivalent to approximately two years of study):

Community and Justice Services
Police Foundations
Protection, Security and Investigation

If you are in your final year, or have completed, a two-year Paralegal diploma from a recognized Ontario college (or equivalent), with a minimum cumulative average of low to mid-70s, you are eligible for up to 5.0 transfer credits (equivalent to approximately one year of study).

Full Admission Details

General transfer pathways

If you have postsecondary education and are not eligible for a College Block Credit Transfer Pathway, we will evaluate your transfer credit based on your education history once you apply.

Coming from a diploma program
If you have completed coursework or a diploma from a college diploma program, you must have a minimum cumulative average of low to mid-70s to be considered for admission.

Coming from a degree program
If you have completed a degree or degree-related coursework from a recognized college or university program, you must have a minimum cumulative average of 65% to be considered for admission.

Full Admission Details

Part-time study for professionals

If you have a minimum of three years of full-time work experience in a related field and some postsecondary education, you may be interested in our part-time online program to earn your Bachelor of Applied Arts with a specialization in Justice and Public Safety.

Learn More

Program overview

Review the program overview (below) to see the courses that make up the program you are interested in. Course scheduling is subject to change.

If you're transferring with a Community & Justice Services diploma, click on the CJS Transfer Program Overview below. For those with a Police Foundations or Protection, Security and Investigation diploma, follow POL Transfer.

CJS Transfer POL Transfer General Transfer

200 hours of workplace experience

0 hrs 2^nd Year

0 hrs 3^rd Year

Past placement partners include:

Various police services
Law offices
Ministry of the Attorney General
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Forensic Psychiatry Program
Private investigation/security companies
Canada Border Services Agency
Toronto South Detention Centre/Ontario Ministry of the Soliciter General
Elizabeth Fry Society
Public Safety Canada
Toronto Court Services
Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services
Community safety and crisis intervention services (includes campus safety, student EDI services, crisis prevention and mental health)
Special Investigations Unit (SIU)

Note: You may be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening and/or Criminal Reference Check prior to placement.

Future options include:

Anti-terrorism Analyst
Corporate Investigator
Victim Services Worker
Bylaw Enforcement
Crime Analyst
Police Officer
Anti-money Laundering Investigator
Research Analyst
Corporate Security Manager
Court Reporter
Parole Officer
Forensic Investigator
Certified Protection Professional
Border Services Officer

Graduate school and further education

Law School
Bachelor of Education
Master of Public Administration
Master of Arts in Political Science
Master of Arts in Social Justice
Master of Arts in Criminology & Criminal Justice Policy
Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution
Graduate Certificate in Insurance Management - Property & Casualty
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Investigations & Enforcement

Note: Some careers and entry into further education may require additional study.

If you don't see your career goal listed here - talk to us! There are many more options.

Want MORE information on Justice Studies?

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Profs in the industry

You are taught by professionals currently working in their field. They will tell you what they’re experiencing in law offices, police services, corporate offices, emergency services, etc. in real time.

Supported learning

Your classmates/cohort will move through the program together.
Your professors open doors to diverse professional networks. Their mentorship can guide you to new opportunities.
Your program team is eager to assist you. With everything in one building and a small student population, they’re a footstep or email away. Check out your team: Academic Advisor, Placement Coordinator, Career Coordinator, Librarian and Student Life Coordinator.

Safe spaces

Once you experience, it you’ll recognize it. UofGH creates a tremendous sense of safety through the support of Program Chairs, professors and staff. Feel comfortable to share your voice and care for your mental health.

Learn outside of class

Awards and competitions

Join our award-winning teams to represent the University in justice case competitions against other postsecondary institutions (local, regional and abroad). Solve complex problems, earn valuable experience and network with top professionals.

Wrongful conviction

Join the work of Innocence Canada to work on correcting wrongful convictions. Alph Phi Sigma is a partner with Innocence Canada and hosts a Wrongful Conviction Week each year.

Societies

Join the Criminal Justice Honour Society, Alpha Phi Sigma, that promotes academic excellence, community service, educational leadership and unity.

Become a member of the Pre-Law Society to foster a culture of legal inquiry and critical thought processes in the academic community; members compete in moot court competitions and prepare for LSATs and law school.

Check out our Clubs and Societies page.

Extra! Extra!

U of GH offers more extracurriculars for students in all programs. Learn more on our Extra! Extra! page.

Travel and learn with study tours (10 days) and Study Elsewhere (one semester). Visit our Global Learning Opportunities page for details!

photo abroad from singapore by Dylan Cunanan

“What made me fall in love with UofGH every week was the comforting feeling of opportunity constantly on the horizon. UofGH had so much in store for me, and it transformed me as a student, person and leader.”

Learn about Vic

Unique opportunities

Get certified

Register to take part in mental health first-aid training, and have it officially recognized on your Co-Curricular Record.

Heading to law school

Graduate ready for Canadian law school or take advantage of our partnerships in England. Earn a senior status law degree (LLB) with The City Law School, City, University of London in just two years without an LSAT requirement, or a Master of Law (LLM) through distance learning with the University of London in one year (full-time) or up to five years (part-time). Both with reduced tuition.

A step ahead

After graduation, take advantage of our partnership for a Master of Science degree with the University of Guelph (in Guelph, Ontario) MSc in Management. Speak with your Academic Advisor for more information.