Using a streamlined, four semester, continuous model approach, students develop specific knowledge and the skills necessary to meet the needs of a various rapidly evolving public and private industries in relation to safety and security. Areas of study include investigative techniques, intelligence assessment, understanding radicalization and extremism, crisis intervention, emergency management, physical security planning, leadership and cyber security.

As a stand-alone program with areas of commonality between the Police Foundations and Community and Justice Services programs, students will acquire an overall understanding of the Canadian charter of rights, law enforcement, intelligence collection, the investigative process, mental health, crisis intervention, critical thinking and analysis to develop specialized knowledge and skills that are in demand within public and private sector industries.

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 an internship component. During your final semester, you’ll take part in a supervised, structured work opportunity and apply your academic knowledge in a setting directly related 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 Protection, Security and Investigation program?

Protection, Security and Investigation 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/

Additional information

Students may be required to obtain a security guard license, first aid certificate, criminal reference/vulnerable sector check or a reliability screening prior to participating in the work integrated learning portion of the program.

International and Landed Immigrant Applicants: International and Landed Immigrant Applicants should be aware that the ability to obtain a valid security screening may be a condition of employment within Federal/Provincial organizations.

*Please note that students who have resided or worked outside of Canada within the last five years may experience delays in the application process and may have difficulty meeting Federal/Provincial screening requirements.

Work Integrated Learning: All programs with a work integrated learning component at Georgian contain mandatory work term experiences aligned with program learning outcomes. An Internship is a supervised, structured work opportunity designed to integrate academic learning with work experience, supporting the development of industry specific competencies and employability skills for academic credit.

Georgian College holds membership with, and endeavors to follow, the guidelines for all work-integrated learning experiences as set out by the Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and Education at Work Ontario (EWO) as supported by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Internship is facilitated as a supported, competitive job search process. Students engage in an active internship search that includes applying to positions posted by Co-op Consultants, and personal networking.

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 Regulation 4.2.7: Changes in program, course, section or co-op, for details.

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

Further information about Co-op and Career Success Services can be found at www.GeorgianCollege.ca/co-op

What career opportunities can I take in community safety and correctional services?

Your Protection, Security and Investigation diploma gives you many career opportunities

Graduates may find employment in government organizations, corporate and industrial security agencies, the armed forces, police services, hotels, casinos and retail establishments or be self-employed in the security industry.

Graduates are eligible to write the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services examinations which are mandatory for Private Investigators and Security Guards in Ontario. Under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act 2005, only candidates who pass the examinations are allowed to apply for a private investigator and/or security guard license.

Check out PSIN in the news from OrilliaMatters.com

PSIN students represent at the NATO Youth Summit.

VMCC 2024 NATO Youth Summit Watch Party.

Career options

Pursue a wide range of career choices:

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Border services
Intelligence assessment and analysis
Municipal or provincial police

Special constables
Bylaw enforcement
Private investigations
Corporate security (government or private industry)

Nuclear security
Aviation, casino, hydro, retail or mining security
Emergency management
International opportunities

Marie Duquette, graduate of the Protection, Security and Investigation (PSIN) program at Georgian College - Orillia Campus

I can confidently say that the PSIN program prepared me for my current position in bylaw enforcement. I currently work as a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer/Animal Control Officer. The program gave me a solid foundation of investigative thinking which I apply in my position every day. The teachers provided a wealth of knowledge and experience to share from the industry. I use the knowledge and skills I obtained from the program in my daily duties.—Marie Duquette, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer/Animal Control Officer, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (class of 2022)

Is the Protection, Security and Investigation program right for me?

Advanced training and education in a variety of areas

In this program, you’ll develop the ability to assess situations, apply critical thinking skills, and implement appropriate protective measures to save lives and protect property. Plus, you’ll gain the ability to identify threats, assess vulnerabilities, conduct investigations, and protect people and assets from harm using industry best practices and real-world cases studies.

Take a look at how students connect with the Toronto Police Service Military Veteran Wellneess Program.

Get to know PSIN professor, Steve Waller, profiled on our blog.

Enhance your skillset

If any of the below skillsets interest you, the Protection, Security and Investigation program at Georgian is a good fit for you!

Conducting investigations
Detection deception
Eyewitness identification
Understanding terrorism, espionage and extremism
Intelligence

Physical security planning
Leadership
Risk management
Emergency management
Cyber security

Frontline security
Crisis intervention
Mental health
Obtaining your security guard licence
Obtaining your private investigator licence

Anissa Guy, graduate of the Protection, Security and Investigation (PSIN) program at Georgian College - Orillia Campus

Throughout my two years at Georgian College in the Protection, Security and Investigation program, I learned a lot that prepared me for the real world. In my first year, after completing the Introduction to Security course, I successfully received my security guard licence, and immediately after graduation, I got a job at the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Headquarters as a data entry clerk. I am confident that this program gave me the skills I needed, as well as a positive mindset, to be successful in finding the right job.—Anissa Guy, Data Entry Clerk, OPP Headquarters (class of 2021)

Pathways

Transfer options

A common first year with the Community and Justice Services and Police Foundations programs provides students with an overall understanding of criminal justice and law enforcement in Canada and also allows students the opportunity to transfer between programs after the first year of study and possibly receive all three credential in four years.

Graduating students may also have the opportunity to further their studies at the degree level and may receive up to two years of advanced standing (see Diploma to degree pathways) toward our unique four-year Bachelor of Human Services – Police Studies degree.

Flex MORE. Study Protection, Security and Investigation part-time

Benefits of studying part-time:

Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go!
MORE choices. We are always adding more flexible delivery programs and courses.

What you need to know:

Next steps:

Visit the part-time program page

Apply to the part-time program

What courses are included in the Protection, Security and Investigation diploma program?

Course overview

15 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
1 Internship

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Protection, Security and Investigation program outline.

PSIN 1000 – Introduction to Private Investigation and Surveillance
LAWS 1005 – Introduction to Security Skills
LAWS 1021 – Public Safety and Emergency Management
PSIN 2010 – Municipal Law Enforcement and Provincial Offences
Select 1 course from the communications course list during registration.
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.

Your course delivery method(s)

GC Flex

This program is delivered via GC Flex, giving you choice and flexibility. Using technology-enabled, purpose-designed learning spaces, professors deliver lectures and labs in the classroom and simultaneously online. You can participate on campus or online during class or review course materials online later.

Learn MORE about program delivery methods

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