A BA in Policing provides related, yet distinct, career tracks versus a BA in Criminology for Canadian law enforcement professionals. Policing programs often require on-the-job experience. On the other hand, criminology students tend to focus more on the sociological aspects of deviance and crime, responses by law enforcement, and crime prevention.
Advantages of Laurier’s online BA in Policing degree program
For the working police officer, the BA in Policing offers the following advantages over criminology and criminal justice studies:
- The degree program is completely online. It offers tremendous flexibility for the police officer on shift work for whom campus attendance is not an option.The online education program is designed for the active or retired police officer. To be admitted to the program, the applicant must produce proof of a minimum of one year of full-time employment as a police officer.
- The Policing BA program has a highly relevant curriculum, designed in collaboration with law enforcement organizations throughout Canada. The program equips police officers to be able to apply the perspectives and skills needed in today’s climate of increased scrutiny of police actions.
- Applicants can receive up to 10 transferrable college credits (half the required 20 credits). Transfer sources are community college, university, or from previous attendance at a police college or university.
Those seeking a career in policing should be aware that the competition is keen. Although a high school diploma is all that is officially required to enter police training for some police services, a bachelor’s degree from the right university can help give you an edge.
Advantages of Laurier’s dual degree in Criminology and Policing
Criminology, among other things, explores the psychological aspects of crime and attempts to answer questions such as “Why did a crime occur?” Our program is unique because it is a dual degree, which offers you the advantage of criminology combined with the specialized knowledge that comes from pursuing a career in policing. This is a more diverse and robust program than a criminal justice degree that will cover criminal justice basics in a broad sense but may not prepare you for a specialized profession in either the field of criminology or policing. For those interested in criminology and policing, the Laurier Combined Honours BA in Criminology and Policing explores the world of crime, criminals, and its victims from the perspectives of a range of social and behavioural sciences. Why do people commit crimes? How does society respond through punishment and rehabilitation efforts?
Criminologists in Canada are equipped for a wide variety of careers, from parole officer to private investigator. For example, candidates could fill a role as a Social Policy researcher, a job on the list of Canada’s Top 100 jobs with a median salary range of $72,155 and a robust wage growth prediction of 20 percent.
A university degree during any stage of a career in law enforcement opens the door to promotion. Canada’s police services are looking for candidates who are thinkers, and a bachelor’s degree prepares the professional police officer for the a wide range of opportunities in police organizations.
Need more information?
Interested in advancing your career in the realm of public safety with a bachelor degree? Request more information and download the Laurier program brochure from our home page.