Policing (BA)

Designed for professionals working in law enforcement with at least one year of professional experience, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Policing prepares you for leadership roles in law enforcement or to pursue post-policing careers. 

Benefit from a fully online program that allows you to continue working in your field, as you learn critical leadership skills in analysis, communication and how to sensitively and strategically navigate the most current issues facing law enforcement professionals today. 

image of sirens

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:  

  • Built-in Flexibility: Enjoy the convenience of our exclusively online, asynchronous program designed for busy professionals and those living remotely, ensuring you can balance your studies with work and personal commitments.
  • Curriculum Shaped by Law Enforcement Experts: Benefit from a curriculum developed in consultation with Canadian law enforcement agencies, focusing on essential topics such as leadership, communication, ethics, and resilience.
  • 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

First-Year Required Courses

  • Models of Policing
  • Communications for Policing
  • Police Psychology
  • Intercultural Communication in Policing
  • Leadership and Career Development in Law Enforcement

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Youth Justice
  • Leadership Foundations
  • Gladue Principles

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Indigenous Peoples’ Political Structures
  • Media, Social Media and Crime
  • Ethics, Corruption and Police Accountability
  • Cyber Crime

Specializations, Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Criminology Minor
  • Global Crime and Justice Certificate
  • Gladue Principles Certificate

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Admissions

  • Format: part time
  • Duration: four years*
  • Start: September (fall term), January (winter term) or May (spring term)
  • OUAC code: UPO

*Timeline varies depending on transfer credits granted upon admission.

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.

Possible career paths include:

  • investigator
  • detective
  • community outreach officer
  • corrections officer
  • policy analyst
  • public safety educator

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.

student-business-lecture-banner.jpg

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, asynchronous format. Courses are designed to engage students in multiple formats such as student-instructor, student-content and student-student interaction, so you have significant opportunities to interact with other students in your class.

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?