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Ministry-approved title: Protection, Security and Investigation
A career in law enforcement could mean being a Canada Border Services officer, special constable, correctional officer, by-law officer or police officer. Students can join our program to learn about each of these career paths through a diverse curriculum taught by industry professionals and discover which career best suits their interests.
Our program delivers security officer training and law enforcement courses that prepare graduates for roles within the protection, security, and investigation sectors. Students benefit from hands-on emergency management exercises, professional security guard course instruction, and field placement opportunities that simulate real-world scenarios. With industry-experienced faculty and state-of-the-art training facilities, graduates will be equipped with the qualifications necessary to pursue various career paths related to emergency management and law enforcement.
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Durham College's Protection, Security and Investigation program prepares students for rewarding careers in various security and law enforcement sectors. With a focus on theoretical knowledge and practical skills, this diploma program equips graduates with the qualifications and experience to excel in the growing fields of protection, security, and law enforcement.
This program introduces students to a diverse range of career options in law enforcement, offering a blend of academic and practical experience. Graduates will be eligible to achieve their security guard licence number.
This program includes a breadth of law enforcement courses which expose students to a diverse range of career options in law enforcement through a blend of academic and practical experiences. These courses cover topics like criminal law, emergency management procedures, investigation techniques, and security protocols fundamental to protection and security professionals. A general level of fitness is required to successfully complete some of the program requirements.
Security Guard training is a required course in this two-year diploma program. Upon successful completion of the security guard course, the ministry-approved content allows students to be eligible to write the Ontario Security Guard Licensing Examination at a provincial test centre. Please visit the Service Ontario website to review the eligibility criteria and detailed instructions on how to apply for your Security Guard license.
Why our students succeed:
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications; Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations; or Paralegal program.
Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
In their second year of studies, students register to take the PSIP 2000 – Field Placement for PSI course in their third or fourth semester. This learning experience requires students to complete 28 volunteer hours consisting of industry-related volunteering on or off campus. Some of those volunteer hours will be working in an access control capacity at either Durham College or OnTech varsity events.
These practical opportunities prepare students to apply security officer training techniques in authentic environments while developing skills valued by law enforcement agencies. The volunteer opportunities help increase student's civic citizenship and social connection. Assisting in the facilitation of Durham College events gives students the traits of engagement and commitment which are desirable for law enforcement professionals.
Students utilize our Learning Management System DC Connect to complete Ministry of Labour field placement training modules to obtain mandatory certifications and complete other placement related forms, by the established due date.
For more information contact Treina Kennington, Student Advisor/Field Placement Officer.
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