Criminal Justice Professional Certificate Program
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CRIM 115: Introduction to Criminology Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course examines current theoretical explanations of criminal behaviour and the application of these theories in the Criminal Justice system. This analysis includes biological, psychological, social process, social structure, rational choice, and critical theories of crime causation and treatment. Future directions and emerging trends in Criminology will also be explored. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 118: Fundamentals of the Canadian Criminal Justice System Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course provides an analysis of the history, organization, and functions of the various components of the Canadian Criminal Justice system. This course focuses on the interrelationships among law enforcement agencies, prosecution, courts, correctional processes and institutions, probation, parole, juvenile justice, and other officials and their agencies. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 125: Professional Communication in Criminal Justice Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will examine theories and principles in effective interpersonal communications within the Criminal Justice context. This course will enable students to assess their own communication styles; interact effectively with superiors, peers, and subordinates; and communicate effectively with members of the public particularly in emergency situations. Cultural and gender diversity, teamwork and leadership, and professionalism will also be explored in detail. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 140: Canadian Criminal Law and the Court Systems Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course investigates the nature, purpose, sources, and principles of Canadian criminal law. Current policy and specific legislation in the Criminal Code will be examined in detail. The various levels and goals of the courts (federal, provincial, municipal) will be discussed. The major structures of the courts, basic procedures and legal concepts will be explored. A special emphasis will be placed on the criminal court systems. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 143: Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course examines the role professional ethics play in the Criminal Justice system. Classical and modern ethical principles will be investigated in detail. Topics include discussion of classical and modern ethical theories, application of ethical principles to real-world situations, balancing ethical conflicts, and development of professional ethics. Cases involving ethical conflicts will be analyzed using the case method. Prerequisite: None. |
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CRIM 155: Youth, Crime, and the Law Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course examines the nature, purpose, and function of the youth justice system in Canada. Reviews of the old Juvenile Delinquent Act, Young Offenders Act, and the current new Youth Criminal Justice Act, and solutions to delinquency problems will be addressed. Special emphasis will be assigned to the different requirements criminal justice professionals need to know when dealing with young offenders. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 175: Introduction to Law Enforcement Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course examines law enforcement agencies—their function and role in society, their structure and management, their critical operations and tasks. Specific police functions such as arrest, search and seizure; investigation, patrol and surveillance; traffic control; and conflict resolution are closely examined. Emphasis is placed to the training of police officers and to policing as an occupation, designing and planning strategies for police agencies, and related topics. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 185: Introduction to Corrections Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course offers an analysis of corrections in the Canadian Criminal Justice system and explores the history of punishment, environmental conditions, staff and inmate safety, special needs, gang control strategies, reintegration of offenders, control management, treatment, supervision, and the duties and responsibilities of the correctional system. It will provide students with the base of knowledge as it relates to the correctional setting and the community at large. Special emphasis will be placed on prison gangs and correctional issues including intake, classification, communication and trends. Prerequisite: None |
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ENGL 110: Fundamentals of English Composition Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course focuses on essay writing at the post secondary level. Students will examine examples of good writing, do short summaries, participate in critical exchanges in an individual and group setting, and complete several short writing assignments covering a spectrum of styles and purposes. While this course provides some grammar review, students will be expected to be at least at a senior high school level of competency or equivalent in both grammar and composition. Prerequisite: None |
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INTE 120: Introduction to Computing Applications Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| In this course, the student learns how to use the standard Microsoft Office applications and learns how to navigate the internet. Using a “learning-by-doing” approach in a computer lab, the student will learn how to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentation materials common in today’s office environment. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 141: Co-operative Education (Practicum) Hours: 80+ Credits: 3.0 |
| This course offers the student an opportunity to learn from experience – “learning by doing”. Students will be refining their abilities to learn outside of the classroom environment. In completing this practicum in their area of study, students will have the opportunity to discover more specifically what career they are more suited for in the justice field. Students enrolled in this course will have an opportunity to learn from their experience and to mesh this practical knowledge with their formal education. Each student will work under supervision at an approved training site. Prerequisite: None |
Criminal Justice Professional Diploma Program
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CRIM 200: Issues and Perspectives on Deviance and Crime Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course introduces students to deviance, crime, and their control in Canada. Students will study the major theoretical approaches to the sociology of deviance and crime. Measurements and uses of data on deviance and crime will also be studied. Current practice of deviance and crime with respect to homicide, sexual assault, prostitution, drug abuse, organized crime, business crime, and mental illness will be explored in detail. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 215: Criminal Procedure and Evidence Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course examines selected topics in criminal procedure and evidence within the Canadian context. Emphasis is given to how criminal cases are processed through the court system. An investigation of the system of rules and standards through which the admissibility of evidence is determined will be made. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its impact on criminal procedure and evidence will also be examined in detail. |
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CRIM 225: Conflict Resolution and Crisis Intervention Techniques Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will explore theories and principles in resolving conflict and crisis situations encountered in Criminal Justice practice. Students will be provided with skills and techniques to intervene in conflict and crisis situations with competence and confidence through experiential approach such as role-playing and simulations. Students will examine conflict and crisis situations from their inception through intervention by the Criminal Justice professional. Various problem-solving models and techniques that are appropriate in addressing problematic situations will be covered in detail. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 235: Forensics and Criminal Investigation Techniques Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will introduce students to the practical procedures, techniques, and applications of criminal investigation and forensics. Students will understand the basic investigative responsibilities, investigating crimes against persons and property. Related challenges to the criminal investigator such as terrorism, hate-crimes, cyber-crime, drug trafficking, and organized crime will also be investigated. Preparing for and presenting cases in court will also be covered. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 245: Community Corrections and Rehabilitation Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will examine theories, current issues and practices, and perspectives on community corrections and rehabilitation in Canada today. Principles of community corrections, diversion, and sentencing; probation; caseloads and rehabilitation programs; prisoner re-entry; and special issues in community corrections will be explored in detail. Particular focus on certain identifiable groups of special needs offenders for who community programs may be appropriate will be covered as well. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 255: Trends and Issues in Youth Justice Practice Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will examine various issues involving children and youth at-risk from a Criminal Justice perspective. Special needs of youth at-risk will be addressed and recommendations will be explored. Emphasis will be given on common youth at-risk issues such as suicide, pregnancy, drug addiction, violence, and homelessness. Specific youth at-risk intervention strategies will also be investigated. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 265: Human Rights and Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will examine the role human rights and diversity issues play in Criminal Justice. Students will investigate various human rights and diversity principles and analyze their implications to professional practice. Current issues and social problems relating to our current cultural society will be examined. Students will also explore the myths and realities surrounding race, gender, social class, crime, and the roles these issues have played in criminal arrest, investigation, sentencing, among others. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 275: Special Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will critically review current theory, methods, research results, and practice in a selected area in Criminology or Criminal Justice (i.e., Law Enforcement, Corrections, Youth Services, Border Services, and Private Security and Investigations). Sample topics include restorative justice, special offenders, correctional casework and counseling, correctional methods, probation and parole, police management, patrol operations and procedures, gangs and organized crime, terrorism, cyber-crime, corporate crime, criminal intelligence, crime prevention through environmental design, customs and immigration law, and others. Students should check with the Criminal Justice department to determine subject and content area for a particular semester. Prerequisite: None |
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PSYC 110: Basic Concepts of Psychology Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| In this course, the student will understand the basic psychological principles, theories, applications and methodologies. Topics include the psychological study of human behavior, personality development, biological psychology, social psychology and abnormal psychology. Prerequisite: None |
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SOCI 110: An Introduction to Sociology Hours: 40 Credits: 3.0 |
| This course will serve as a practical introduction to the field of sociology. Students will be able to identify and explain the significance of some of the phenomena, methods, and theories of sociology; differentiate between sociological and other questions, theories, and approaches; and interpret a variety of data arrays in order to assess and make sociological arguments. Related theory, research and analysis related to the field will be examined. Prerequisite: None |
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CRIM 241: Co-operative Education (Practicum) Hours: 80+ Credits: 3.0 |
| This course offers students an opportunity to learn from experience – “learning by doing”. Students will be refining their abilities to learn outside of the classroom environment. In completing this practicum in their area of study, students will have the opportunity to discover more specifically what career they are more suited for in the justice field. Students enrolled in this course will have an opportunity to learn from their experience and to mesh this practical knowledge with their formal education. Each student will work under supervision at an approved training site. Prerequisite: None. |
Co-operative Education/Practicum/Work Experience
Columbia College aims to meet employers’ needs by graduating individuals with first-hand experience linking theory with practice.During the Co-operative Education/Practicum part of the program students obtain on-the-job experience in an organization.This hands-on experience enables them to learn first-hand in the work environment.This experience is critical as today’s employers would prefer to hire people who possess both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.