Policing & Community Well-Being (B.A.)

Be a part of a truly unique degree experience: the only community-inclusive policing and community well-being program of its kind in Canada.

Interested in playing a vital role to keep members of your community safe, well, and healthy? Trent’s Policing & Community Well-Being degree is designed to shape the skills of tomorrow’s policing professionals in Canada. We prepare students to empower citizens, and work as an integrated network of professionals that includes law enforcement agencies, not-for-profit organizations, healthcare professionals, and social workers. At Trent, you can prepare to be part of a transformation that keeps society healthy and secure, as you learn from experts in Sociology, Criminology, Indigenous Studies, and Social Work. Taking advantage of Trent’s partnerships with social service, mental health, and policing agencies across Ontario, you will also gain hands on experiences that put your course learning into meaningful practice and give you an edge in the job market by solidifying social networks and enhancing future career development.

Resume Boosters:

Get hands-on through an optional eight-month work placement in your fourth year, working with social agencies that help to support marginalized community members, as well as police departments
Undertake an optional major research paper in fourth year
Apply the principles of collaboration, communication, and inclusion to enhance community well-being and security through experiential learning opportunities
Develop verbal and written communication skills, vital to working with diverse communities
Put theory into practice through use and analysis of real-life data and direct exposure to societal issues, including mental health, diversity, poverty, punishment, and addiction
Analyze community safety and wellbeing challenges and initiatives in Ontario municipalities and offer inclusive solutions to community problems

Career Paths:

Police Officer
Correctional Officer
Community Outreach Worker
Canadian Border Services Officer
Community Mental Health Worker
Conflict Mediator
Probation/Parole Officer
Crime Analyst
Lawyer
Policy Analyst

Popular Courses:

Introduction to Policing and Community Well-Being Part 1 and Part 2
Social Determinants of Health
Community Problem-Solving
Restorative Justice
Mental Health and Addictions in the Community
Violence in the Community
Problem-Solving in a Complex and Diverse Community
Diversity and Exclusion
Marginalization and Social Control
Surveillance and Technology in Policing and Community Well-Being
Law, Crime, and Social Policy
Prisons and Punishment

Program Strengths:

PLCW has a strong focus in community engagement and runs a group called the C.A.R.E Initiative that helps promote local community engagement each year
- Initiative examples include supporting local organizations with a:
  - Clothing Drive
  - Food Drive
  - Cell Phone Drive
  - Create for a Cause Paint Night
  - Anti-Human Trafficking Walk -- Planned for May 27 2023
Meet the PLCW Faculty to discover their research strengths and expertise they bring to the PLCW program
Policing and Community Well-Being offers students with dergee
- B.A. General
- B.A. (Honours)
- Minor

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program specific prerequisites
A minimum 75% overall final average
ENG 4U with a minimum of 60%

Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

For more PLCW information check out our program booklet

QR Code for PLCW Program Information Booklet