Vancouver Island students looking for a career in justice and public safety can now complete an applied law enforcement degree in Victoria.
Beginning in September 2016, graduates of Camosun’s Criminal Justice Diploma and the Justice Institute of B.C.’s Law Enforcement Studies Diploma will have the opportunity to complete JIBC’s Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies at Camosun’s Lansdowne campus in Saanich.
“At Camosun, this partnership agreement provides more opportunities for our students to deepen their knowledge with enhanced qualifications in order to serve our local community and elsewhere,” said Dominic Bergeron, dean of the School of Arts and Science. “This is a logical next step for graduates of our diploma program in criminal justice. The pathway to the BLES degree program has been in development for some time and we are so pleased to see it launched in the next academic year.”
The new educational opportunity is one of the latest collaborations between Camosun and JIBC based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the institutions earlier this year.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to take my education to the next level,” said Eden Johner, a current Camosun College Criminal Justice program student. “The doors that the BLES degree will open are limitless. I’m excited to discover the career opportunities available to me when I graduate.”
Applications are currently being accepted through JIBC for classes starting in September 2016. Students have the option to complete the program at Camosun, at JIBC’s New Westminster Campus, or at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus. Diploma graduates from other institutions in a relevant field such as criminology or criminal justice are also able to apply.
“This degree program is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain the skills they need to be sought-after candidates in the highly competitive recruitment process for many public safety careers,” said Shaun Machesney, co-ordinator of the Bachelor of Law Enforcement Studies Program. “In addition to gaining an applied education in various leadership, management and business skills, students will learn about essential law enforcement subjects such as techniques on how to conduct investigations and collect forensic evidence, intelligence analysis, restorative justice, young offenders, crisis intervention and much, much more.”