Community and Justice Services at Algonquin College

Choose a career that betters your community from the inside out.

The two-year Community and Justice Services Ontario College Diploma program provides you with a broad range of skills to support you in joining the community and justice services field.

In this program, you develop an applied understanding of how to work with individuals, groups, and families in a variety of community-based settings. Woven throughout the program is a commitment to human rights, resiliency and restorative practice. Study topics include:

• addictions and harm reduction
• correctional practices
• mental health
• trauma-informed practice
• Indigenous studies
• gender and sexuality studies
• community building practice
• anti-oppressive practice

You also develop skills to support children, youth, and families in both individual and group capacities. These skills include assessment, supportive counselling, group facilitation, case management, advocacy, crisis intervention and supporting community led prevention initiatives. In your final semester, you have the opportunity to participate in a field placement experience in the community and justice field.

Graduates of this program typically find employment working with children, youth, and adults in both community and institutional settings.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have a desire and willingness to make a difference in their community
• Have a strong sense of empathy for others
• Are collaborative and comfortable working and learning in group environments
• Possess a strong work ethic
• Are able to work independently.

Careers

Graduates may find employment in:

• community-based agencies offering programs and support to youth and/or adults who need services related to issues such as mental health addictions, employment, and housing.
• justice-related agencies offering services to youth and/or adults who are in conflict with the law, or who are at risk of being in conflict
• a variety of residential facilities providing shelter or transitional supportive housing
• services and programs serving and supporting survivors of violence, or
• federal correctional institutions (note that all provincial and federal corrections require newly hired officers to take government-mandated training in addition to this diploma).

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Communicate in a manner consistent with professional ethics and practice, and a respect for self, others, and relevant law, policies and legislation.
2. Employ all relevant static and dynamic safety and security techniques to ensure the protection of the public, staff, and clients in institutional, residential, and community settings.
3. Intervene with clients, individually and in groups, in order to address and manage barriers to promote inclusion, positive growth and personal development.
4. Collect information, observe, monitor, record and assess client behaviour accurately in compliance with legal and organizational requirements.
5. Assist in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict, crises, and emergency situations using intervention strategies as prescribed by relevant legislative requirements and industry certification and/or standards.
6. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, supervisors and community justice stakeholders to maintain a productive, professional and safe working environment.
7. Engage in program planning, implementation, assessment, and evaluation to meet the needs of clients, staff, community and administration within the context of an interdisciplinary setting.
8. Apply knowledge of the history, philosophy, and diverse models of corrective action, of detention, rehabilitation, and reintegration to decision-making and institutional practices.
9. Develop and implement self-care strategies using self-awareness, self-inquiry and reflection.
10. Work in a manner consistent with professional ethics demonstrating respect for self, others and relevant legislation, policies and procedures in a multi-disciplinary workplace.
11. Assess and respond to the strengths and needs of clients, including complex responses impacted by mental health, addictions and other social factors in order to support and promote positive change.
12. Promote inclusive practices within community and justice services to increase understanding within the community and meet the needs of diverse populations.
13. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).

• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.

Program-specific Requirements:
Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note the important information listed below regarding program-specific requirements.