Criminal and Social Justice Diploma

The two-year diploma program is delivered fully online or in a combination of face-to-face and online courses and is awarded to students who successfully complete the curriculum, a total of 60 credits.

The program is designed to prepare you for a potential career in the field of criminal or social justice or to further post-secondary education such as a bachelor degree and is designed to facilitate maximum transferability to a full degree program after 2 years at College of the Rockies.

This program starts in September each year.

In the criminal and social justice diploma program, you will:

• Study theories of human and social behavior, criminal justice system and cultural and institutional roots of crime and deviance
• Learn about oppression and marginalization and will further their understanding of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous knowledge
• Develop effective skills in cross-cultural relations, communication, conflict resolution and crisis intervention.
• Be provided opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to further your post-secondary education or to prepare for a potential career within the field of criminal and social justice.

Program Structure:

Year 1 – Fall

CRIM 101	Introduction to Criminology	3
ENGL 100	English Composition	3
PSYC 101	Introduction to Psychology 1	3
HSWR 211	Conflict Resolution	3
HSWR 212	Crisis Intervention	3

Year 1 – Winter

CRIM 131	Introduction to the Criminal Justice System	3
COMC 102	Advanced Professional Communications	3
SOCI 102	Introduction to Sociology 2: Social Institutions	3
INDG 101	Introduction to Indigenous Studies	3
Elective	Chosen from list below: Note: Must choose PSYC 102 if completing the diploma program	3

One elective from the following:

CRIM 103 / PSYC 103	Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behavior (offered in Winter Semester) (for diploma stream, this is required in second year)
HSWR 214	Introduction to Addictions (offered in Spring Semester) (for diploma stream, this can be an elective in the second year)
PSYC 102	Diploma stream requires this course be taken in year 1 Winter Semester

Year 2 – Fall

CRIM 135	Introduction to Canadian Law	3
INDG 203	Indigenous Peoples’ Ways of Knowing	3
INDG 240	Indigenous Peoples’ Family Support Studies	3
SOCI 210	Introduction to Social Research Methods	3
Elective	Choose from the list below:	3

One elective from the following:

ANTH 101	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology	3
PHIL 101	An Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry 1	3
PSYC 240	Introduction to Abnormal Psychology	3
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology 1: The Individual in Society	3
STAT 106	Statistics	3

Year 2 – Winter

COMC 253	Intercultural Communications	3
CRIM 210/SOCI 211	Law, Youth and Young Offenders	3
PSYC 103/CRIM 103	Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour	3
PSYC 207	Social Psychology Note: For ONLINE ONLY students HSWR 214 is recommended, Other online alternatives include: ANTH 216 or SOCI 225	3
Elective	Choose from the list below:	3

One elective from the following:

ENGL 101	Introduction to Poetry and Drama
ENGL 102	Introduction to Prose Fiction
INDG 105	Introduction to Health and Wellness in Indigenous Communities
HIST 211	Women in Canada: 1920 to the Present
STAT 106	Introduction to Statistics
HSWR 214	Introduction to Addictions (offered in Spring semester) – if taken as required course in Winter Year Two, select another elective

Notes:

• Students intending to complete a degree should complete ENGL 100 plus either ENGL 101 or ENGL 102 in their diploma. Please consult the degree-granting institution on its English requirements.
• Students transferring to VIU after first year must complete CRIM 135 before admission.

Total Credits: 60

View official program outline

View Criminal and Social Justice Planning Guide

Year 1 – Semester 1 – Fall

Year 1 – Semester 2 – Winter

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Choose one elective from the following:

Notes:

• Must choose PSYC 102 if completing the diploma program and requires this course be taken in year 1 Winter Semester.
• CRIM 103/ PSYC 103 (offered in Winter Semester) (for diploma stream, this is required in second year)
• HSWR 214 (offered in Spring Semester) (for diploma stream, this can be an elective in the second year)

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Year 2 – Semester 1 – Fall

Notes:

• Students intending to complete a degree should complete ENGL 100 plus either ENGL 101 or ENGL 102 in their diploma. Please consult the degree-granting institution on its English requirements.
• Students transferring to VIU after first year must complete CRIM 135 before admission.

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One elective from the following:

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Year 2 – Semester 2 – Winter

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Choose one elective from the following:

Academic Requirements:

• Secondary school graduation or equivalent.
• Minimum 65% in either English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 090, or equivalent.

Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students:

For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)

Tuition Year 1:	$3,794.72
Tuition Year 2:	$3,652.80
Application Fee:	$30.00
Student Association Fee:	$138.00
Bus Pass Fee:	$177.60
Health and Dental Fee:	$480.00
Total	$8,273.12

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Tuition and Fees for International Students

For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)

Tuition Year 1:	$14,278.65
Tuition Year 2:	$15,864.90
Application Fee	$100.00
International Fee	$100.00
Student Association Fee	$138.00
Bus Pass Fee	$177.60
Health and Dental Fee	$480.00
Guard.me Insurance	$270.00
Total	$31,409.15

_{*These prices are for international students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

An education in Career and Social Justice opens up many career options. Just a few examples include:

• Correctional Service Officers *
• Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers *
• Border Services, Customs, and Immigration Officers *

With additional education and/or experience, career opportunities may include:

• Probation and Parole Officers
• Social and Community Service Workers *
• Managers in Social, Community, and Correctional Services *

* High Opportunity Occupation

To Institution	Program
Athabasca University	Bachelor of Professional Arts – Criminal Justice	Transfer Agreement
Columbia Southern University	Bachelor of  Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration – Appendix 1	Transfer Agreement
Kwantlen Polytechnic University	Faculty of Arts – up to 60 credits. Note: For transfer details please see the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar or visit the BC Transfer Guide website.
Lethbridge College	Bachelor of Criminal Justice Note: GPA is a minimum 3.0	Transfer Agreement
Royal Roads University	Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies	Transfer Agreement
Vancouver Island University	Bachelor of Arts, Criminology Major Program	Transfer Agreement