To work as a correctional officer in Canada, you need to complete the Correctional Training program through Correctional Service Canada. Eligibility is achieved by passing a series of assessments and then successfully completing the program.

Correctional service officers

This instructional program class comprises any program that focuses on the systematic study of crime as a sociopathological phenomenon, the behaviour of criminals, and the social institutions evolved to respond to crime. These programs include courses in the theory of crime, psychological and social bases of criminal behaviour, social value systems and the theory of punishment, criminal law and criminal justice systems, penology, rehabilitation and recidivism, studies of specific types of crime, social attitudes and policy, and applications to specific issues in law enforcement administration and policy.

Criminology

Criminology Diplomas

Correctional service officers guard offenders and detainees and maintain order in correctional institutions and other places of detention. Primary workers develop women offender's correctional plan and work with other service officers in the correctional team. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments. Correctional service officers who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

The Criminology Diploma prepares you with a comprehensive grounding in criminology/criminal justice issues. It is a flexible program that offers transfer opportunities to the third year of a Bachelor's degree or Forensice Sciences program. 

Criminology Diploma

The Criminology Diploma covers topics that include protecting the public, detecting and preventing crime, probation supervision, social advocacy, counselling or conducting research. Graduates may also continue their education in criminology, social work, psychology, law and related social and behavioural sciences. The program curriculum includes courses in sociology, psychology, criminal law, the Canadian legal system, politics and government, social science research methods and more. 

The Criminology Diploma focuses on the criminal justice system and the complex problems encountered in the criminal justice field and deepen your knowledge of the processes and structures of the Canadian justice system. You’ll learn from instructors who have experience on the front lines as lawyers, youth workers, police officers, policy makers and psychologists. Upon graduation, you can seek further education in the fields of criminology, psychology, forensic science or similar, or start your career in areas such as the government, educational institutions or the non-profit sector.


The Diploma in Criminology contains a core of method and theory courses that provides a foundation for more advanced study of crime and social responses to crime. Electives reflect the multidisciplinary nature of criminology. The required courses and electives afford students of criminology an opportunity to develop abstract logical thinking and critical understanding of the issues, arguments, and debates that shape the discipline's character and aims.

The Criminology Diploma provides you with a broad, liberal education in social science, criminal justice, and law. You will learn scientific research methods, legal, philosophical, and theoretical approaches to aid in understanding crime and related social problems, and social responses to crime. This program is primarily designed for those seeking to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology (university transfer) and who plan to work in the field of criminal justice and/or continue their education beyond a Bachelor’s degree for graduate or law school studies. [View program information](https://langara.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/criminal-justice/program-curriculum.html). 

With the Criminology Diploma, you can gain insight into the justice system through experiences like correctional facility tours, mock trials and class discussions. 

The Crimionology Diploma prepares you for entry-level employment positions and for continued studies in academic and professional programs. Relevant areas of work and additional education include Corrections, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies, and Law Enforcement.

The Criminology Diploma introduces you to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. You'll examine the three main components of the criminal justice system—police, courts, and corrections. You'll explore the trends and correlates of crime, including the influences of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class and how. The criminological focus is broadened with courses from other disciplines within the Social Sciences and Humanities.

Educational Path

Criminology Diplomas

Programs

Careers