Policing (BA in Combination)

Examine the critical role and complexities of policing in modern society. Our program was created in consultation with law enforcement agencies across Canada. You’ll study relevant and current topics to modern-day policing, including diversity, ethics, and police psychology. Graduates prepare to pursue a career in law enforcement or related fields. You must combine this online program with another Bachelor of Arts program to complement your learnings in policing. 

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Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on: 

  • Customize Your Path: Design your own unique learning experience, combining a BA in Policing (offered online) with several on-campus options like Psychology, Criminology, Health Studies, Political Science or Sociology.   
  • Curriculum Shaped by Law Enforcement Experts: Benefit from a curriculum developed in consultation with Canadian law enforcement agencies, focusing on essential, up-to-date topics.
  • Practical Skills Development: Enhance your career with practical skills in criminological and psychological theory application, data analysis, communication, leadership, and critical thinking, tailored to address real-world law enforcement challenges.  

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Join an Engaged Online Policing Community: Interact with fellow students in dynamic online forums and participate in the Policing community page to build connections and enhance your learning experience.
  • Attend Exclusive Criminology Events: Immerse yourself in the field by attending the Criminology Students' Association Annual Conference and public lecture series, featuring industry experts and cutting-edge discussions.
  • Volunteer to Mentor Future Students: Develop your public speaking skills and make a meaningful impact by volunteering to share your journey with prospective students, helping them navigate their own paths in the program.  

Courses, Options and Pathways

Required First Year Courses

  • Models of Policing
  • Communications for Policing

Sample Upper Year Courses

  • Civil Unrest: The State's Use of Force Against its Citizens
  • Cybercrime
  • Ethics, Corruption and Policy Accountability
  • Immigration and Conflict Zones
  • Mental Health, Addiction, and Crime
  • Police Psychology
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Leadership and Career Development
  • Reasoning and Argumentation in the Criminal Justice System
Learn more about courses offered in the Policing program.

Design Your Degree

You must combine this program with another Bachelor of Arts degree at Laurier, from either our Waterloo or Brantford campus. Some popular options include:

Management Option

The Management Option is for students interested in adding Business education to their degree. This is a direct-entry, 4.0-credit option that includes courses covering all the core pillars of Business and Economics. Apply directly to Policing in Combination with Management Option on OUAC.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term), January (winter term) or May (spring term, Brantford only)

Your Career Awaits

Graduates of the combination Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Policing will be well positioned to function and contribute in a range of public safety professions or pursue graduate studies in policing, criminal justice, law or related disciplines.

Note: Successful completion of the combination BA in Policing does not in itself provide any guarantee of recruitment as a police constable.

Possible career paths include:

  • by-law enforcement officer
  • civilian police service worker
  • conservation officer
  • corporate security
  • corrections officer
  • customs and boarder security officer
  • fraud investigator
  • loss prevention specialist
  • military/armed forces
  • policy analyst/advisor
  • private investigation
  • probation/parole officer
  • special constable

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Program Location

Courses for our Policing program are offered entirely in an online format and have been designed to engage students in multiple formats such as student-instructor, student-content and student-student interaction. Though you will be completing your studies online, you will have countless opportunities to interact with other students in your class.

The program you choose to combine with your online Policing degree will determine whether in addition to your online classes, you will also attend classes on one of our campuses.

For example:

  • If you choose to combine your online major in Policing with Human Rights, you will attend classes for the latter on our Brantford campus.
  • If you choose to combine your online major in Policing with Sociology, you will attend classes for the latter on our Waterloo campus.
To determine whether your program will entirely be online or whether you will also attend classes on campus, please visit the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program page of interest.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?