Justice Studies - Bachelor of Applied Arts
BAAJus
Program Office: 403.329.7246 • infojustice@lethbridgecollege.ca
Designed for individuals at any stage in their justice careers or educational journeys, the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies program builds on the fundamentals of the justice field and hones your critical thinking and research skills with a responsive curriculum that provides opportunities in a variety of municipal, provincial and federal jurisdictions.
After completing a diploma in Criminal Justice – Policing, Correctional Studies, or Child and Youth Care, you’ll take an additional two years to earn your Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies. In year three, your focus will be on current and emerging issues in justice. For your final year, you’ll gain valuable first-hand experience during a directed field study at a justice agency.
Direct Field Study Placement
The college dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the directive field study placement.
Applicants are advised they will be required to undergo a Criminal Record Check prior to enrolling in the placement. The existence of a criminal record may affect placement and future employment prospects. The agencies reserve the right to determine who is considered a suitable candidate.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information for your program, go to lethbridgecollege.ca/programs and select your program.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies degree.
Note: Employing agencies may have additional requirements for employment, such as a valid driver’s licence, Standard First Aid and CPR. Students are encouraged to maintain their credentials in these areas so that they are current at time of graduation.
Post-Graduate Pathways
Graduates of the BAAJS program may be eligible for acceptance into a variety of master’s degree programs. See an academic advisor for more information.
New third-year applicants, or transfer applicants with advance standing through completion of a related diploma, are accepted into the program in the Fall (September) term for on-campus and online study and also in the Spring (May) term for online study.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
Students who have completed a Correctional Studies Diploma or Criminal Justice - Policing Diploma from Lethbridge College, or equivalent will be accepted directly into the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies. Applicants with a related diploma/degree in a human service or justice related field such as child and youth care, law enforcement, addictions counselling, social work, criminology, or psychiatric nursing will also be admitted, and may be required to complete bridging courses in order to meet degree requirements.
Applicants with a diploma/degree require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to be accepted directly into the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies.
Applicants with post-secondary credentials and significant related work experience may apply to have their knowledge and skills assessed for transfer credit or prior learning credit in the Correctional Studies Diploma, the Criminal Justice - Policing Diploma, and the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies.
Transfer students entering the program who receive advance credit must meet Lethbridge College’s minimum residency requirements. This means that students may not receive advance credit for work completed at other institutions in excess of 75 percent of the total credits required for graduation from Lethbridge College.
All courses in the first three years of the BAAJS are available through Online Learning and on campus.
Directed Field Studies placement (4th Year) may be completed in any location in Canada, as all course work is online.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| See the Correctional Studies diploma or Criminal Justice - Policing diploma | 36 | |
| Credits | 36 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| See the Correctional Studies diploma or Criminal Justice - Policing diploma | 33 | |
| Credits | 33 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Term I | ||
| HUM-3350 | Ethics in Justice | 3 |
| JUS-3351 | Introduction to Research Methods in Justice | 3 |
| JUS-3352 | Social Justice | 3 |
| Select 2 Approved Electives: 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| HUM-3355 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| JUS-3388 | Orientation to Directed Field Studies | 1.5 |
| MGT-3370 | Management in Justice Organizations | 3 |
| PSY-3350 | The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour | 3 |
| Select 2 Approved Electives: 1 | 6 | |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Directed Field Study 2 | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| JUS-4452 | Analysis of Professional Relationships | 3 |
| JUS-4453 | Policies and Procedures in Justice | 3 |
| JUS-4454 | Applied Conflict Management | 3 |
| JUS-4455 | Comparative Justice Systems 3 | 3 |
| JUS-4461 | Identified Population Study | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 5 of the following: | 15 | |
| Directed Topics in Criminal Justice 3 | ||
| Community Involvement for Professionals | ||
| Applied Research 1 4 | ||
| Diversity Seminar 3 | ||
| Applied Research II 4 | ||
| Program Development and Management | ||
| Safety in the Justice Environment | ||
| Critical Incident Analysis | ||
| Community Relationship Analysis | ||
| Strategic Planning/Project Management | ||
| Human Resources Management Justice Organizations | ||
| Applied Leadership Justice Organizations | ||
| Financial Management in Justice Organizations | ||
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 130.5 | |
- 1
2 courses from List A and 2 courses from List B.
- 2
Note: All 4000 level courses are field study courses with academic components. Before enrolling in any of the following DFS courses, students are required to successfully complete JUS-3388 Orientation to Directed Field Studies (1.5 credits) (Orientation to DFS).
- 3
DFS placement not required to take this course.
- 4
DFS placement recommended but not required to take this course.
List A Electives (Populations)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 2 of the following: | ||
| JUS-3350 | Victimology | 3 |
| JUS-3357 | Contemporary Youth Justice in Canada | 3 |
| JUS-3360 | Indigenous Peoples and Culture in Justice | 3 |
| JUS-3378 | Women in Justice | 3 |
| PSY-2277 | Addictions Treatment | 3 |
List B Electives (Operational Systems)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 2 of the following: | ||
| JUS-3369 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| JUS-3372 | Directed Topics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| JUS-3387 | Crisis Management | 3 |
| MGT-3375 | Leadership in Justice Organizations | 3 |
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements
This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.
Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).
Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.
Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.
In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.
WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.
When you graduate, you'll have the academic and practical background to work in a variety of advanced positions, including:
- Case Workers in Provincial and Federal Justice Organizations
- Criminal, Intelligence, and Criminal Analysis
- Intelligence Surveillance Officers
- Parole Officers
- Probation Officers
- Supervisors/Managers in Justice Organizations