A group of students working on laptops around a long table, some wearing safety vests

Honours Baccalaureate Degree

Honours Bachelor of Community Safety

Duration

4 years

Location

This program is not currently accepting applications. However, Sheridan offers many other Applied Health and Community Studies programs that you may be interested in.

Create positive change with a new approach to community safety.

Program Overview

A new approach to community safety

This program is the first of its kind in Canada. It addresses the need for a new way of looking at community safety, focusing on prevention, preparedness and social justice. Traditional law enforcement methods are expensive and don’t always address the diverse needs of Canadian society. That’s why the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, non-profits, and graduate programs endorse this degree.

Build stronger communities

In our Community Safety program, you’ll learn about:

  • Government, law enforcement and emergency planning
  • Building partnerships between police and community groups
  • Speaking up for traditionally marginalized groups and vulnerable people
  • Empowering citizens to build safer and more resilient communities

Think globally, act locally

You’ll also learn how global events, like war and climate change, affect people at the local level. How do these events shape our perception of safety? How does the use of social media influence our understanding of these events? Throughout this program, you’ll develop a strong understanding of the challenges communities face. And you’ll explore new ways to address those issues.

An integrated approach

This program offers a new model for community wellness. It combines the social sciences, leadership, policing and crisis management. Projects span classes and subjects, so you’ll develop a broad perspective.

Gain critical skills and experience

Creativity and a passion for working with vulnerable and marginalized communities will serve you well in this program. You’ll build on your communication, research and critical thinking skills. And you’ll learn how to collaborate, facilitate and negotiate.

You’ll also have the chance to apply your unique skills to a full-time co-op work term between Semesters 7 and 8. You'll work in areas related to your career interests, such as government, law enforcement or non-profit work.

As a Community Safety student, you’ll be a trailblazer in a new field. Canadian society is in a period of transition, and this program will prepare you to help lead the way.

Sheridan has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this degree for a seven-year term starting September 13, 2017 and subject to renewal thereafter. Application to the Ministry for renewal of the consent is a prescribed and cyclical requirement for degree programs at all Ontario colleges. Sheridan will ensure that all students admitted to the Honours Bachelor of Community Safety program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame. Credentials earned during the period of consent remain valid, even if Ministry consent to offer the program is withdrawn in the future. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies, or other educational institutions).

PBCMS

Courses

Creative, innovative learning is at the core of all Sheridan’s courses. Here are the courses you’ll take in this program.

  • CODE TITLE CREDITS
    LAWS 15388 Introduction to Criminal Law 3
    SOCI 13506 The Sociology of Community 3
    PSRV 10767 Creative Learning and Leadership Portfolio 3
    PSRV 10974 Organizations and Administration in the Public Domain 3
    ENGL 17889GD Composition and Rhetoric (Breadth Elective) 3

    Total credits: 15

Courses subject to change.

Current students should refer to their ⁠Academic Requirements in myStudentCentre to track their academic progress and outstanding course requirements.

Find course details for electives:

Board Undergraduate Certificates

As a Sheridan degree student, you can earn a Board Undergraduate Certificate alongside your degree without taking any additional courses. Earn one of the following specialized credentials by completing a specific collection of electives as part of your program:

Career Opportunities

Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Community Safety program prepares you for a variety of career paths. When you graduate from this program, you’ll be well prepared for careers in public, private or non-profit sectors, such as emergency management, crisis intervention, community building, and law enforcement. You’ll also be eligible for graduate studies in fields like social work, sociology, or public administration.

Here are some places you might work:

  • Community agencies
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Provincial governments
  • Municipal governments
  • Policing
  • Canadian Border Services

Degree Completion

Successful graduates from the following three programs are eligible to apply to Year 2 of the Honours Bachelor of Community Safety degree. Students on these pathways may complete the degree in three years.

Eligible diploma programs

Community and Justice Services (MTCU 50705)

Eligible Sheridan and external graduates who have a final GPA of 3.0 or greater will be required to take one additional course in the first semester of the program.

Police Foundations (MTCU 53008)

Eligible Sheridan graduates from 2018 or later who have a final GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Eligible Sheridan graduates prior to 2018 and any external graduates who have a final GPA of 3.0 or greater. Graduates from these programs will be required to take one additional course in the first semester of the program.

Social Service Worker (MTCU 50721)

Eligible Sheridan graduates from 2018 or later who have a final GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Eligible Sheridan graduates prior to 2018 and any external graduates who have a final GPA of 3.0 or greater. Graduates from these programs will be required to take one additional course in the first semester of the program.

Get your degree in less time

Degree Completion allows you to apply your diploma credits toward a Sheridan degree. You'll get significant credit for the courses you completed in your diploma, which means you can complete your degree and advance your career sooner.

How to apply

Sheridan students and recent graduates

Apply through myStudentCentre: If you've recently been enrolled in a Sheridan program (Fall 2021 or later), you can apply directly to Sheridan through our internal application process on myStudentCentre. (In your dashboard, select the "Registration Status" tile and then "Apply to new program" to get started.) To apply as a Degree Completion student, select "Honours Bachelor of Community Safety Degree Completion – PBCMS" as your program of choice.

Graduates from other institutions

Apply through ontariocolleges.ca: If you're new to Sheridan, you'll need to apply through ontariocolleges.ca. To apply as a Degree Completion student, submit an application using the program code PBCMS.

Contact us

Have a question about Degree Completion? Please get in touch – we're happy to help!

Learning Outcomes

  • Create logical, thoughtful and coherent policy recommendations and proposals based on the safety needs of communities.
  • Discriminate between the roles and responsibilities of various public, private and not-for-profit actors and their interconnectedness working toward community safety.
  • Assess the features of agencies involved in the Canadian justice system, their programs and practices and how these operate in developing community safety.
  • Exemplify integrity and ethical conduct through respect for the principles and legislative framework of human rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Defend appropriate research methodologies and data collection techniques used to support evidence-based community safety policies and practices.
  • Apply research techniques to critically analyze community safety programs.
  • Assess major theoretical contributions within the social sciences as part of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the factors that improve the quality of life in diverse communities.
  • Critically assess the interconnection of theory, policy and practice within the justice sector and other social systems.
  • Evaluate the social, political, economic and ethical challenges that members of the local community, private organizations and governmental agencies must address within rapidly changing and diverse communities.
  • Construct evidence-based intervention strategies that promote community wellness, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
  • Prescribe specific investigative techniques to promote community safety.
  • Exhibit collaboration, facilitation and negotiation skills required for delivering services in the public and private sectors.

Unlock Sheridan: Apply and Explore events

Thursday, June 12, 2025 | Brampton
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | Oakville

Register and attend for your chance to win a New Student Kit valued at $3,000.

Get a feel for your future

Find your fit and choose with confidence. Choosing the right education is a big decision. At Sheridan we’re committed to providing you with the learning, support and services you need to achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Take a look around, and please connect with us if you have any questions!

Have a question? Contact us.

We’re happy to help with any questions you may have. Give us a call at any of these numbers and select Option 4 after the prompt, or simply fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

905-845-9430 (Oakville/Mississauga)
905-459-7533 (Brampton)

Contact Centre hours of operation:

Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Contact Sheridan

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