Police Studies - Police and Investigations Diploma
Overview
With rapid societal change and evolving technology, there is a need for police officers dedicated to the community, to problem solving and to making a difference. Policing in the 21st century requires a broad base of knowledge and skill. This challenging and rewarding two-year diploma provides potential police officers with knowledge and skills in leadership techniques, policing, criminalistics, investigative techniques, criminology, law, psychology, sociology and human relations.
The diploma consists of 61 credits and can be completed through a full-time day program or part-time evening studies. The full-time day program is completed over two years, with one intake in the Fall term. Part-time evening studies can be completed over a three-year period or longer, with one intake in the Fall term.
Admission to the program is competitive and is subject to a quota. The competitive admission average may be considerably higher than the posted minimum.
Career Potential
Graduates from Police Studies may gain employment with the RCMP, municipal police services (e.g. Edmonton Police Service, Calgary Police Service) across Canada, the CN Police, Sheriff’s Department and the Canadian Forces Military Police. Graduates must apply directly to a police service and meet its minimum standards.
Police and Investigations Diploma
Faculty of Health and Community Studies
Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies
MacEwan.ca/Investigations
MacEwan.ca/Police
Investigate which of the two-year diplomas offered through the Police and Investigations program prepares you for the career of your choice: Investigative Studies or Police Studies.
Contact Information
T: 780-497-5221
E: investigations@macewan.ca
E: police@macewan.ca
PROGRAM OFFICE
Robbins Health Learning Centre
Room 9-407, 10910 - 104 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2
T: 780-497-4567
Program Requirements
The following program requirements are needed to complete the credential. Refer to the Student Plan as this plan identifies the usual course schedule.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| ENGL 211 | Business Communication | 3 |
| PSSC 102 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| PSSC 112 | Policing in Canada | 3 |
| PSSC 121 | Law and the Administration of Justice | 3 |
| PSSC 122 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| PSSC 123 | Legal Evidence in Criminal Investigations | 3 |
| PSSC 141 | Interpersonal Skills | 3 |
| PSYC 104 | Introductory Psychology I | 3 |
| or PSYC 105 | Introductory Psychology II | |
| SOCI 100 | Introductory Sociology 1 | 3 |
| 3 credits of university English (includes WRIT 101) | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| PSSC 203 | Forensic Science 1 | 3 |
| PSSC 204 | Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| PSSC 212 | Mental Health Foundations in Public Safety | 3 |
| PSSC 242 | Leadership Skills | 3 |
| PSSC 262 | Integration Seminar | 1 |
| PSSC 263 | Integration Seminar | 1 |
| PSSC 272 | Field Placement | 4 |
| PSSC 273 | Field Placement | 4 |
| PSSC 283 | Emergency Planning and Response | 3 |
| SOCI 225 | Criminology 1 | 3 |
| SOCI 321 | Youth, Crime and Society | 3 |
| Total Credits | 61 | |
| 1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is a C-. |
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Course Substitutions
| Credit Earned in: | May Be Substituted for Credit in Program Course: |
|---|---|
| INTD 105 | PSSC 141 |
Program Regulations
Academic Residency - Exemption
A student in Police and Investigations (Police Studies or Investigative Studies) must complete at least 30 per cent of courses through MacEwan University. Challenge examinations, transfer credit and other special assessments (for example, prior learning and recognition) are not included in the 30 per cent.
Program Standards
Students admitted to this program are presumed to be capable of fulfilling the academic requirements of their program with, if applicable, provision of reasonable accommodation. The reasonable accommodation of students with disabilities shall not require the University to lower its standards, academic or otherwise, nor shall it relieve a student of the responsibility to develop and demonstrate the essential skills and competencies expected of all students pursuing this program (policy E3400, Students with Disabilities).
Regulations Governing Field Placement (Work Integrated Learning)
Students must achieve satisfactory performance in all field placement courses in accordance with the course learning outcomes and grading criteria. Field placement hours may include days, evenings and weekends. Students are required to arrange their own transportation for required field placement activities and any costs incurred for meals, travel and accommodation are the student’s responsibility. Students will require daily access to a vehicle for any practice experience not accessible through public transportation. Required field placements will generally be within a 150 kilometer radius of the MacEwan University site.
Students cannot be in attendance at field placement agencies as a MacEwan University student except at times and locations authorized by the field placement course instructor for the course in which the student is currently enrolled. Students must comply with policy C2060 Work Integrated Learning regarding field placements. Students must have completed all prerequisite courses as well as all program and agency specific requirements prior to the start of any field placement course. In accordance with policy C2060 Work Integrated Learning, the University reserves the right, at any point during a field placement, to remove a student from the placement for serious performance issues (i.e., engaging in behaviour that places a client and/or others at risk or that is contrary to the professional or safety requirements of the placement). In such cases and with the concurrence of the Dean, the student will be assigned a grade of F in the course. Although this decision may be appealed according to policy E3103 Student Appeals, the student will not be permitted to remain in the field placement during the appeal.
Police Information Check
Students are responsible for obtaining a Police Information Check annually and for submitting these to the Program prior to September 1 for the duration of the program.
Students must be able to satisfy agency requirements prior to the start of each field placement.
A student must meet the specific Police Information Check requirements as set out in the admission criteria for the duration of the program or they may be required to withdraw from the program.
Student Plan
Students must follow the Student Plan (listed below) to complete this credential in the year(s) indicated by the plan. Students must consult with a program Academic Advisor regarding any deviation from the Student Plan, as this may extend the time it takes to complete the program.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits |
| PSYC 104 (or) | 3 | ENGL 211 | 3 |
| PSSC 102 | 3 | ||
| PSSC 112 | 3 | PSSC 123 | 3 |
| PSSC 121 | 3 | PSSC 141 | 3 |
| PSSC 122 | 3 | SOCI 1001 | 3 |
| Three credits of university English (includes WRIT 101) | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Term 1 | Credits | Term 2 | Credits |
| PSSC 2031 | 3 | PSSC 204 | 3 |
| PSSC 212 | 3 | PSSC 263 | 1 |
| PSSC 242 | 3 | PSSC 273 | 4 |
| PSSC 262 | 1 | PSSC 283 | 3 |
| PSSC 272 | 4 | SOCI 321 | 3 |
| SOCI 2251 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits 61 | |||
| 1 | The minimum passing grade for this course is a C-. |
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted to the following:
Regular Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicants must have an Alberta high school diploma (or equivalent) or GED diploma. Applicants must have a minimum overall average of 65 percent with no course grade lower than 50 percent, in the following high school courses:
- ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
- Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2
- One subject from Group A, B, C, or D
Applicants with nine or more post-secondary credits must also present a minimum Admission Grade Point Average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Previous Post-Secondary Admission
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Admission in this category does not imply or guarantee the transfer of any coursework and/or credential unless a block transfer agreement (internal or external) is in effect and published in the calendar by the Office of the University Registrar. In addition, transfer of coursework does not imply or guarantee that an applicant will be admitted.
Applicants must have successfully completed the following from a recognized institution:
- A minimum of 18 post-secondary credits with a minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and must have completed a high school diploma (or equivalent) or GED diploma.
Additional Admission Criteria
All applicants must meet the following:
1. English Language Proficiency
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
All applicants must meet an acceptable level of English language proficiency. We will require official documents such as high school or post-secondary transcripts or proof of successful completion of standardized language evaluation. Full details are available in MacEwan University’s academic calendar or online at MacEwan.ca/ELP.
2. Other Admission Criteria
To be evaluated through the Office of the University Registrar
Applicable to All Admission Categories
Applicants are required to complete the fitness test. Applicants must meet the minimum standard (rating of 1) for each fitness test component and achieve a minimum score of 30/50.
Applicants offered admission must present a clear Police Information Check (or equivalent from another policing agency) that includes a Vulnerable Sector Search. The Police Information Check must be submitted by the published document deadline and have been issued within three months of the start of the program intake term.
Equity Admission
The Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies at MacEwan University is committed to principles of equity and diversity. The department supports equitable representation of groups underrepresented in public safety and justice professions and has reserved up to 10% of admission spaces in each program as equity admission spaces for applicants who self-identify as Indigenous. MacEwan University defines Indigenous as First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Canada.
In order to be considered for admission under the Equity Admission criteria, candidates must still meet the minimum admission criteria for the program option to which they apply.