Justice Studies

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The Correctional Studies and Indigenous Policing Foundations specialty diplomas share a common first year in the Justice Studies diploma program.

Correctional Studies specialty

• Correctional Studies prepares you to work in federal or provincial correctional facilities. We emphasize a hands-on approach to learning, wherein you will gain both correctional theory and practical skills. You will learn from instructors who have experience working in correctional institutions. They will guide you in:
  • case management, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • managing conflict, aggression, and violence
  • the role of community corrections, youth justice initiatives, restorative justice
  • understanding Truth and Reconciliation and Calls to Action
  • working with offenders from diverse cultural backgrounds
  • the importance of healthy lifestyles, teamwork, and workplace wellness
  • preparing for interviews and physical abilities tests

Indigenous Policing Foundations specialty

• Demand is growing for police officers trained with an Indigenous perspective. Indigenous Policing Foundations will train you for a career in policing. The skills taught extend beyond your daily operational duties. You will develop cultural awareness and personal growth. When you graduate, you will be able to apply for federal, provincial, municipal and community policing positions.
• The program is available to everyone regardless of their cultural background. Our curriculum has a unique Indigenous focus, while covering the major requirements of law enforcement training. You are learning from instructors who have been on the front lines of community policing services. Your studies will focus on:
  • basic investigative techniques
  • criminal justice system and criminal law
  • historic and contemporary Indigenous topics
  • understanding Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action
  • dealing with addictions, family violence, suicide intervention
  • developing strong communication skills
  • preparing for police service examinations and physical abilities tests

Career and salary information

Your career

Graduates who have taken the Correctional Studies speciality are prepared for entry-level jobs in a variety of settings. Because our program works closely in partnership with federal and provincial correctional agencies, our graduates are encouraged to apply to various entry-level job postings. Your studies will also prepare you for a career in a young offender facility, healing lodge, community correctional centre, court security or other security agencies.

Graduates who have taken the Indigenous Policing Foundations specialty could find employment within federal, provincial, municipal and community policing positions.

For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus nearest you.

Potential careers

Admissions

Admission requirements

• Grade 12
• English Language Requirement

Note

• Upon request of the program, accepted applicants may be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check for access to correctional institutions and/or policing agencies for tours and practicums/clinical. The Criminal Record Check is not required for admission into the program. Instructors will inform the student when the Criminal Record is required. The cost of the Criminal Record Check is the student's responsibility. Program applicants should be aware that the Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Check must be requested from the police service in their home community, whether it is from a municipal/city police service or the RCMP detachment in their home area.
• If you have a criminal record for which a record suspension (pardon) has not been granted, or a matter that is currently before the courts, you may be unable to complete the program.
• Based on the results of a security clearance or a Criminal Record Check, a student may not be eligible to participate in tours or a practicum/clinical.
• The second year specialty courses for Correctional Studies will only be available in Prince Albert. The second year specialty courses for Indigenous Policing Foundations will only be available in Saskatoon.

Alternative admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 240 Reading
• 238 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission method

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2024-25 academic year

Year 1 - $7,450
Year 2 - Correctional Studies - $6,300
Year 2 - Indigenous Policing Foundations - $6,260

Courses

Get credit for what you know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

Transfer credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Transfer credit options for this program include:

• course transfers to Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Youth Care Worker certificate and diploma programs

Student awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Related programs

Child and Youth Care

Community Justice Worker

Mental Health and Addictions Counselling

Security Officer