Students gain the knowledge and skills required to work with at-risk and offender populations in a variety of institutional and community correctional programs that operate within and adjacent to the justice system. Our curriculum combines theory and a variety of applied, experiential and work integrated learning opportunities that allow students to graduate with job readiness skills. Students learn about industry-based subjects such as human rights, equity and inclusion, and advocacy; skills and abilities relating to interpersonal and professional communications; programming and interventions connected to client and case management, and the importance of mental health, wellness and resiliency. The program is delivered by faculty with industry expertise, and complemented by subject matter experts who share their knowledge as part of the course curriculum. Our program has a long-standing history of community partnerships that allow students to participate in community projects and unique experiential learning opportunities. In second year, students complete a 7-week immersive field placement at a community or custody based justice agency that supports graduates as they transition to the profession.

Intake information

Start date	Campus
Fall 2025	Orillia

Tuition and fees

Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
Review additional program-specific fees for this program.
You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

Work-integrated learning

This program includes a field placement component where you’ll gain hands-on experience in a setting relevant to your program.
Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

Ready to apply?

Apply as a domestic student

Apply as an international student

Still exploring your study options?

What are the admission requirements for the Community and Justice Services program?

Community and Justice Services admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or 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/

Pathways

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/

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: A record of criminal offences, for which a pardon has not been granted, may prevent students from completing their placements, thereby affecting their ability to graduate.

Additional information

Students are required to sign a waiver indicating they are physically and medically able to participate in strenuous physical activity.

Students may be asked to have a valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C or HCP certificate before proceeding to field placement or participating in volunteer opportunities. It is recommended that First Aid and CPR training is completed prior to program entry.

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement.

Proof of completion of the Ontario Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Awareness training must be provided before proceeding on field placement.

Students are required to review agency requirements provided by the field placement office and complete requirements as needed.

What career paths can I take in community justice?

Your Community and Justice Services diploma gives you many career opportunities

As a member of the justice community, program graduates often work as part of an interdisciplinary team in the field, engaging in program planning, assessment, and the implementation of intervention strategies to meet the needs to clients and the community.

Graduates may consider career opportunities in federal and provincial correctional institutions, community residential facilities, open and secure custody facilities for youth, early intervention and rehabilitation programs, school settings, as well as community-based justice and advocacy agencies providing programs and services to offenders, individuals at-risk and victims of crime.

If you’re interested in any of these career paths, this program is right for you:

Correctional services
Youth services
Indigenous justice and outreach
Court support services
Community and social services
Transition homes or shelters
Addictions and mental health

Victim support services
Recreational, leisure and social programming
Residential care, group homes or detention centres
Rehabilitation and community re-integration

Is the Community and Justice Services program right for me?

Passionate about justice and helping people?

If you’re fascinated with law and justice and want to help at-risk people and communities, the Community and Justice Services program at Georgian is a great fit for you.

Throughout this program, you’ll learn about industry-based subjects such as:

human rights, equity and inclusion
restorative justice, mediation and advocacy
criminal law, justice and the court system
group dynamics, interpersonal and professional communication

community programs and correctional interventions
case management, treatment and re-integration
conflict management and crisis response
mental health, wellness and resiliency

A group of people sitting on chairs in a circle

Why study Community and Justice Services at Georgian?

Expert faculty

Learn from passionate, knowledgeable faculty.
Courses are taught by professors with a wealth of industry expertise.
Curriculum is complemented by subject matter experts who share their knowledge.

Valuable field placements

Build your skills with a seven-week immersive field placement.
Gain experience with a community- or custody-based justice agency to prepare for your future career.

Graduate career-ready

Improve your employability and network with employers before you graduate.
Make connections with community agencies through lectures, guest presentations, facility tours and experiential learning activities.
Advance your career by obtaining additional certifications and specialized community justice training throughout the program.

Exceptional community partners

Benefit from our long-standing history of strong community partnerships.
Participate in community projects and enjoy unique practical learning opportunities.
Our program is designed with input from local industry and employers regarding industry activities, career opportunities and change, such as:
- federal and provincial corrections
- community re-integration and halfway houses
- probation and parole
- youth justice
- court support services
- community justice and diversion
- victim services
- Indigenous justice and outreach
- community supports
- mental health and addictions

Here’s what our program graduates have to say!

I am very thankful for the connections I made in the Community and Justice Services program at Georgian, as well as the knowledge I was able to gain as it has really helped me get closer to achieving my goals. I found that because of my education at Georgian, I am able to say I am confident with where I am going and the path I chose.
– Bailey Swanton, graduate

The Community and Justice Services program exceeded my expectations. I have been very appreciative of the teachers I had through this program experience and finally feel I am going in the right direction of obtaining a job I want in this field.
– Kim Corbett, graduate

The program has given me a huge background knowledge about the community and justice system in Canada in order for me to enter the work environment with confidence. The teachers and staff at Georgian helped to keep me focused on what was important to succeed and I trusted their experience in finding the right placement.
– Linzi Caldwell, graduate

Learning spaces

Hands-on education at Georgian

Fitness facilities, simulation labs, and interview and counselling spaces give you the chance to engage in hands-on learning and develop skills used on the job.

Our newly renovated Orillia Campus features:

a full apartment-style lab with functioning furniture and fixtures to practise a variety of client-based interactions
numerous spaces to facilitate interview training and develop counselling skills
hybrid learning classrooms equipped with live streaming and video playback of simulations
a large courtroom-style multi-purpose learning classroom, designed to facilitate mock trials and courtroom proceedings
state-of-the-art fitness facility to engage in physical fitness training, wellness planning, and simulated career fitness testing requirements
Wiidookdaading Indigenous Resource Centre to explore Indigenous advocacy and community development

Apartment lab at the Georgian College Orillia Campus, featuring a bed, couch, coffee table, TV, dining room table and chairs, and other furnishings

Student with long brown hair wearing a headset while watching a counselling session through a TV screen at Georgian College's Orillia Campus

Three students and a professor inside the Indigenous Enterprises CIP lab at the Georgian College Orillia Campus

Treadmills, eliptical machines, rowing machines, dumbbells and other equipment in the Athletics and Fitness Centre at Georgian College's Orillia Campus

A young man in a grey t-shirt lifting weights inside the Athletics and Fitness Centre at the Georgian College Orillia Campus

Pathways

As a graduate of Georgian’s Community and Justice Services program, you’ll have many opportunities to further your studies.

Degree studies

Further your studies at the degree level! Graduates may receive up to two years of advanced standing toward our unique four-year Honours Bachelor of Police Studies degree program.

Learn about the police degree program

Graduate certificates

Graduating students may choose to pursue a one-year graduate certificate at Georgian, such as Addictions: Treatment and Prevention or Therapeutic Recreation.

Explore graduate certificate programs

Articulation agreements

Georgian also has several articulation agreements with a number of university programs offering many desirable study options for our graduates.

Browse articulation agreements

What courses are included in the Community and Justice Services diploma program?

Course overview

17 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
1 Field Placement

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Community and Justice Services program outline.

CJSR 1007 – Introduction to Community Justice and Corrections
CJSR 1008 – Introduction to Law and Correctional Legislation
FITN 1018 – Wellness and Resilience in Community Justice and Correction 1
LAWS 1005 – Introduction to Security Skills
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.

Your course delivery method(s)

Hybrid

This program has a hybrid delivery method. Some parts are online and other parts are delivered in person. You’ll need to come to campus for part of your program.

Learn MORE about program delivery methods

Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.