Protect your community on the front lines and behind the scenes
Protection, Security and Investigation Ontario College Diploma program
We connect students to extraordinary learning experiences that inspire innovation and prepare our graduates for life and career success.
Program information
Program description
Using a streamlined, four semester, continuous model approach, students develop specific knowledge and the skills necessary to meet the needs of a various rapidly evolving public and private industries in relation to safety and security. Areas of study include investigative techniques, intelligence assessment, understanding radicalization and extremism, crisis intervention, emergency management, physical security planning, leadership and cyber security.
As a stand-alone program with areas of commonality between the Police Foundations and Community and Justice Services programs, students will acquire an overall understanding of the Canadian charter of rights, law enforcement, intelligence collection, the investigative process, mental health, crisis intervention, critical thinking and analysis to develop specialized knowledge and skills that are in demand within public and private sector industries.
Intake information
| Start date | Campus |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | Orillia |
Tuition and fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- Review additional program-specific fees for this program.
- You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.
Work-integrated learning
This program includes an internship component. During your final semester, you will take part in a supervised, structured work opportunity and apply your academic knowledge in a setting directly related to your program.
What are the admission requirements for the Protection, Security and Investigation program?
Protection, Security and Investigation admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or mature student status
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/
Pathways
Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/
Additional information
Students may be required to obtain a security guard license, first aid certificate, criminal reference/vulnerable sector check or a reliability screening prior to participating in the work integrated learning portion of the program.
International and Landed Immigrant Applicants: International and Landed Immigrant Applicants should be aware that the ability to obtain a valid security screening may be a condition of employment within Federal/Provincial organizations.
*Please note that students who have resided or worked outside of Canada within the last five years may experience delays in the application process and may have difficulty meeting Federal/Provincial screening requirements.
Work Integrated Learning: All programs with a work integrated learning component at Georgian contain mandatory work term experiences aligned with program learning outcomes. An Internship is a supervised, structured work opportunity designed to integrate academic learning with work experience, supporting the development of industry specific competencies and employability skills for academic credit.
Georgian College holds membership with, and endeavors to follow, the guidelines for all work-integrated learning experiences as set out by the Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) and Education at Work Ontario (EWO) as supported by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Internship is facilitated as a supported, competitive job search process. Students engage in an active internship search that includes applying to positions posted by Co-op Consultants, and personal networking.
Programs may have additional requirements such as a valid driver’s license, strong communication skills, industry specific certifications, and ability to travel. Under exceptional circumstances, a student may be unable to complete the program progression as shown below. Please refer to Georgian College Academic Regulation 4.2.7: Changes in program, course, section or co-op, for details.
International work terms are supported and encouraged, when aligned with program requirements.
Further information about Co-op and Career Success Services can be found at www.GeorgianCollege.ca/co-op
What career opportunities can I take in community safety and correctional services?
Your Protection, Security and Investigation diploma gives you many career opportunities
Graduates may find employment in government organizations, corporate and industrial security agencies, the armed forces, police services, hotels, casinos and retail establishments or be self-employed in the security industry.
Graduates are eligible to write the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services examinations which are mandatory for Private Investigators and Security Guards in Ontario. Under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act 2005, only candidates who pass the examinations are allowed to apply for a private investigator and/or security guard license.
Career options
Pursue a wide range of career choices:
- Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Border services
- Intelligence assessment and analysis
- Municipal or provincial police
- Special constables
- Bylaw enforcement
- Private investigations
- Corporate security (government or private industry)
- Nuclear security
- Aviation, casino, hydro, retail or mining security
- Emergency management
- International opportunities
I can confidently say that the PSIN program prepared me for my current position in bylaw enforcement. I currently work as a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer/Animal Control Officer. The program gave me a solid foundation of investigative thinking which I apply in my position every day. The teachers provided a wealth of knowledge and experience to share from the industry. I use the knowledge and skills I obtained from the program in my daily duties.—Marie Duquette, Municipal Law Enforcement Officer/Animal Control Officer, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (class of 2022)
Is the Protection, Security and Investigation program right for me?
Advanced training and education in a variety of areas
In this program, you’ll develop the ability to assess situations, apply critical thinking skills, and implement appropriate protective measures to save lives and protect property. Plus, you’ll gain the ability to identify threats, assess vulnerabilities, conduct investigations, and protect people and assets from harm using industry best practices and real-world cases studies.
Enhance your skillset
If any of the below skillsets interest you, the Protection, Security and Investigation program at Georgian is a good fit for you!
- Conducting investigations
- Detection deception
- Eyewitness identification
- Understanding terrorism, espionage and extremism
- Intelligence
- Physical security planning
- Leadership
- Risk management
- Emergency management
- Cyber security
- Frontline security
- Crisis intervention
- Mental health
- Obtaining your security guard licence
- Obtaining your private investigator licence
Throughout my two years at Georgian College in the Protection, Security and Investigation program, I learned a lot that prepared me for the real world. In my first year, after completing the Introduction to Security course, I successfully received my security guard licence, and immediately after graduation, I got a job at the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Headquarters as a data entry clerk. I am confident that this program gave me the skills I needed, as well as a positive mindset, to be successful in finding the right job.—Anissa Guy, Data Entry Clerk, OPP Headquarters (class of 2021)
Pathways
Transfer options
A common first year with the Community and Justice Services and Police Foundations programs provides students with an overall understanding of criminal justice and law enforcement in Canada and also allows students the opportunity to transfer between programs after the first year of study and possibly receive all three credential in four years.
Graduating students may also have the opportunity to further their studies at the degree level and may receive up to two years of advanced standing (see Diploma to degree pathways) toward our unique four-year Bachelor of Human Services – Police Studies degree.
What courses are included in the Protection, Security and Investigation diploma program?
Course overview
15 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
1 Internship
Program-specific courses
Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Protection, Security and Investigation program outline.
- PSIN 1000 – Introduction to Private Investigation and Surveillance
- LAWS 1005 – Introduction to Security Skills
- LAWS 1021 – Public Safety and Emergency Management
- PSIN 2010 – Municipal Law Enforcement and Provincial Offences
- Select 1 course from the communications course list during registration.
- Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.
Your course delivery method(s)
GC Flex
This program is delivered via GC Flex, giving you choice and flexibility. Using technology-enabled, purpose-designed learning spaces, professors deliver lectures and labs in the classroom and simultaneously online. You can participate on campus or online during class or review course materials online later.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
Check out our other related programs
Community and Justice Services
Knowledge is built upon a foundation of strong experiences. Learn from experts and build the skills to change your community.
Honours Bachelor of Police Studies
Broaden your understanding of the nature, role and function of policing. Learn the science and application behind it. Excel in your career.
Police Foundations
Extraordinary learning experiences and community connections. Develop your knowledge and competitive skills for life and career success.
Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training
Develop your knowledge and skills with hands-on experience in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, public education and life safety.
Do you have questions about Protection, Security and Investigation? Contact us!
Thinking about applying to Georgian?
Contact our student recruitment team to explore your study options.
- 705.722.5152
- recruitment@georgiancollege.ca
Already applied to Georgian?
Connect with the Office of the Registrar for admissions-related questions.
- 705.722.1511
- registrar@georgiancollege.ca
Are you an international student?
Contact our international recruitment team to learn more about studying at Georgian.
- 705.722.5158
- international@georgiancollege.ca
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