About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 2 Year Diploma
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0211 P0211
  • Delivery Length: 2 Years
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Overview

Looking for a distinctive, rewarding, and challenging career where your investigative skills are used in the private sector of law enforcement?

As a graduate of the Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security) program, your critical thinking, research and interviewing skills will serve you well in effectively responding to potential threats to organizations and private citizens.

Highlights
  • Curriculum is taught by former police officers with extensive investigative experience.

  • Gain practical, in-field experience via volunteer opportunities with local service agencies.

  • Hands-on experiential learning takes place in the Justice Studies Simulation Lab.

  • Students who successfully complete first year and the First Aid course are eligible to write the Ontario Security Guard licensing exam.

  • Graduates or students enrolled in their last level of of Niagara College's PSI (Private Security) program can gain a Police Foundations OR Community and Justice Services (Correctional Worker) diploma with 8 additional months of study, based on available space and admission requirements. See: Pathways tab for more information.

Career Opportunities
  • Airport and pre-boarding security
  • Business establishment investigator - security
  • Corporate security
  • Municipal by-law enforcement
  • Private investigator/detective
  • Security consulting
  • Theft prevention
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1180 Essentials of Writing to be Understood 3
LAWS1105 Canadian Justice System 3
LAWS1123 Law Enforcement Principles 3
PHED1169 Fitness and Use of Force Management I 2
PSYC1101 Psychology 3
SOCL1103 Sociology and Canadian Society 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1280 Communications for Justice Studies II 3
CRIM1201 Criminology 3
LAWS1304 Criminal and Civil Law 3
LAWS1401 Provincial Offences 3
PHED1269 Fitness and Use of Force Management II 3
PHIL1329 Ethics and Code of Conduct 2
SOCL1209 Contemporary Social Issues 3
Term three (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
LAWS1390 Surveillance Techniques 3
PFPP1304 Interviewing and Investigations 3
SECR1220 Security Risk Management 3
SOCL1430 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canada 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term four (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
LAWS1297 Public and Corporate Security 3
PFPP1404 Investigation and Evidence 3
PHED1369 Fitness and Use of Force Management III 2
SECR1421 Private Investigations 3
SECR1424 Security Procedures 2
SECR1430 Security Operations Management 2
Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. Work in compliance with established standards and relevant legislation in the protection, security and investigation fields.

  2. Make decisions in a timely, effective and legally defensible manner to uphold protection and security.

  3. Carry out delegated duties and responsibilities in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

  4. Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.

  5. Work effectively as a member of a protection and security team.

  6. Prevent and resolve crisis, conflict and emergency situations by applying effective techniques.

  7. Conduct and/or contribute to investigations by collecting, preserving and presenting admissible evidence.

  8. Monitor, evaluate and accurately document behaviours, situations and events.

  9. Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • Aboriginal Beliefs, Values, and Aspirations in Contemporary Society – Grade 11 (M)
  • Canadian Politics and Citizenship – Grade 11 (O)
  • Challenge and Change in Society – Grade 12 (M)
  • Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology – Grade 11 (M)
  • Understanding Canadian Law – Grade 11 (M)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Note

Students with criminal charges or convictions for which a pardon has not been granted will be significantly limited in employment opportunities in the field of criminal justice.

Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security) program below.

  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Community and Justice Services (Correctional Worker)

    Students receive two 2-year Ontario College Diplomas in 3 years.

  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Police Foundations
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Police Foundations
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Police Foundations (Advanced Standing)
  • From NC to
    Griffith University Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice Australia
  • From NC to
    Royal Roads University Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies Canada
  • From NC to
    Seneca College Honours Bachelor of Crime & Intelligence Analysis Canada
  • From NC to
    Trent University Honours Bachelor of Arts in Policing and Community Well-being Canada
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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