Help build the future of enhanced supports and rights for victims of crime.

The one-year Victimology Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for work in a variety of fields, providing services to victims of crime. This one-year program provides specialized knowledge and skills in victimology and in the provision of victim services. You also explore the history and theories of victimization, with applied victim-centred focus.

Combining theoretical and applied learning, it includes a field placement of more than 140 hours. It is in this setting where you learn about victims' issues and perspectives first-hand from experts in the field.

Practicum options include:

• victim crisis units
• police services
• victim advocacy centres
• indigenous healing centres
• women's shelters
• community action groups

Overall, you develop knowledge of crisis response, sudden and traumatic loss, and victim populations. Learn about crime and its effects on victims in the criminal justice system. In your practicum, you integrate theory with practice and contribute to victim service initiatives within your community.

The Victimology program offers you the means to pursue a unique career. This program is the first graduate certificate program offered by a Canadian college specializing in victimology. More than just theory, this program puts you in the field, allowing you to learn how to look at issues from the victim's perspective.

You may find work in a wide variety of fields helping victims of crime. Work opportunities may exist in:

• social services
• child protection
• crisis response
• the criminal justice system, and
• in other areas related to victimization

To qualify for this graduate certificate, you must complete the program within three years.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited to students who:

• Are committed to developing specialized knowledge and skills related to victimology and victim services.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Work successfully in a team environment.
• Thrive in challenging work settings and have the ability to work effectively in stressful situations.
• Are advocates of victim rights.

Careers

Graduates may find employment in a variety of occupational fields providing services to victims of crime, including social services, child protection, crisis response, the criminal justice system and in policy areas related to victimization.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Assess individuals, families and groups for the risk and experience of victimization.
2. Advocate for victims of crime within the criminal justice and other systems.
3. Plan, implement and evaluate interventions aimed at prevention and healing for victims of crime.
4. Refer victims of crime to appropriate services.
5. Design and deliver victim service education to other professionals and members of the community.
6. Collaborate with service agencies to plan, deliver and evaluate victim service programs and initiatives.
7. Identify, analyze and apply current research and theory to victim services.
8. Assess the personal impact of delivering victim services and employ self care strategies.
9. Plan and participate in on-going professional development.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that enable their contribution to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

Read this before applying:

Part-time graduate certificate programs require you to complete an application and be accepted into the program prior to course registration. Please complete the application form before registering. Your course will take place entirely online and does not require you to come to campus. Without a set class time you can complete your assignments when it’s most convenient for you while following the course deadlines. Different courses may be available each semester so don’t forget to check back regularly.

Effective Spring 2021, VIC2000 Professional Development Seminar and Self-Care will replace VIC2003 Professional Development and Self-Care, and VIC2007 Field Placement Seminar. Students following older programs of study will have to call the Registrar’s Office to register into VIC2000 Professional Development Seminar and Self-Care course. This course will not appear in the Academic Planner, however, it will be accepted as equivalent to both VIC2003 and VIC2007 when you apply to graduate.

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Applications to graduate certificate part-time programs must be submitted via our online application form available at: (https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/part-time-application-form/).

Prior to starting your application, please ensure that you have consulted the program admission requirements and have all the supporting documentation in a digital format ready to be uploaded.

Applications submitted in a paper format or via email will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be processed.

Applications will typically be processed within 2-3 weeks but can take longer during peak times and start of academic terms. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 4-6 weeks prior to start of term.

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING (WIL) OVERVIEW:
The final requirement of the Victimology part-time graduate certificate program is a 146-hour Field Placement course. This course is designed to provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that you have learned throughout the prerequisite courses.

As a field placement student, you are responsible for completing 146 experience hours on-site at your assigned field placement agency. Field placement hours can be completed all at once or in varying time periods throughout the term, your schedule must be agreed upon with your placement agency prior to the start of your placement. All placement hours must be completed by the final day of the term.

If you are already working with an approved victim services agency, you may choose to conduct a research project within your workplace. Students interested in completing the research project option are required to submit the Intent to Complete Placement Form. Your eligibility to complete the research project will be evaluated, and you will be contacted to confirm the next steps.

FIELD PLACEMENT ELIGIBILITY:
In order to be eligible for field placements, students must meet the following requirements prior to the placement deadline:

1. Academic Clearance: Students must complete all required prerequisite courses prior to the placement start date.
2. Placement/Project Request Form: All students are required to submit a placement/project request form prior to the placement deadline.
3. Secure an appropriate placement agency: It is the student's responsibility to confirm their placement agency, dates, hours, etc. Supports will be provided by the course facilitator and further information is available on the Field Placement Centre website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/field-placement.
4. Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS): if you are completing placement in the field, you will be required to submit a copy of your PRCSVS when you confirm your placement location.

PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

AC ONLINE ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore, essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.