Diploma in Community and Justice Services Fleming College - Sutherland Campus (Peterborough), Canada

The Community and Justice Services program will prepare you for front-line work in the criminal justice system and community services field, where you can contribute to positive individual and social change.

Program Highlights
As a graduate of the Community and Justice Services program, you will be challenged to do your personal best while learning how to develop effective relationships with those who are in your care. Throughout the two-year Community and Justice Services program, you will learn what's needed to work with society's at-risk youth and adult populations through experiential and in-class training. Your courses will include a significant focus on human relations and communications skills -- which are essential to your success in this field.

You will obtain the skills and training to work in diverse community and institutional settings. You may work with people who are currently involved, or who are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system, child welfare, or mental health systems. As well, you may work with people who are currently incarcerated, or who are experiencing difficulties as a result of addictions, anti-social behaviours, or a lack of appropriate supports.

WHY CHOOSE FLEMING
The Skills for Justice Scenario Lab at Fleming College is a unique teaching and learning space where faculty are able to involve students in scenarios to test skills and develop competencies in a safe and realistic setting. Access to community-based experiential training is also an integral part of the program. The 15-week field placement gives you a great deal of exposure to the field – and employers respect and value your training. Fleming College's CJS program has an excellent reputation across the province and beyond. Our Field Observation course is unique in the Ontario college system in that it operates inside a federal institution. Other community partnerships also afford students the opportunity to test their skills in real community and correctional environments throughout the four semesters of the program.

WORK EXPERIENCE
The field placement experience is a 15-week block, longer than placements in many other Community and Justice Service programs. During placement, you will be required to obtain a minimum of 520 hours in the field. Placements are available throughout the province and beyond, in correctional centres or community-based programs, including schools, residential treatment facilities and social service agencies. You will be required to submit a current police records check and vulnerable sector check to the placement agency prior to starting third semester. If you have been convicted of an offense under the Criminal Code for which you have not been pardoned or are flagged on a vulnerable sector check, you may be denied the opportunity to do a field placement. If you are deficient in one second semester course you will require a personal interview with the program coordinator to determine if field placement is possible. A student who is deficient in two or more courses will be unable to enroll in third semester until the transcript is complete and clear.