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
• criminal justice system
• other areas related to victimization

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 ongoing professional development.
10. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

VICTIMOLOGY
Program Code 1611X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/self-registration-page or by contacting the Registrar's Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

This program is also available part-time through AC Online. For more information, visit the AC Online website at
www.algonquincollege.com/online/program-info/victimology-part-time

INFORMATION
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.

POLICE RECORDS CHECK DOCUMENTATION
Though not an admission requirement, applicants must note important information listed below regarding Police Records Check program requirements.

Successful completion of a field placement is a requirement for graduation from the Victimology program. Agencies that provide placement opportunities may require proof of a clear Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS). Your acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency. If you register in the program and do not have a clear PRCSVS and as a result are unable to participate in placement, you will not be able to graduate.

It is your responsibility to obtain the PRCSVS from your local Police Department prior to the deadline identified by your proposed placement agency and to pay any associated costs. Application processing delays are possible; please submit your application promptly upon placement agency or program request.

FIELD PLACEMENT/CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
In collaboration with faculty and agency personnel, students may either participate in research or work in a variety of settings such as community agencies, the criminal justice system and policy related placements. This practicum provides students with the opportunity to integrate theory through research or with practice providing victim-centered services or advocacy. Students reflect on their learning through student-led seminars, discussions and journals.

The final requirement of the Victimology 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 during the last four weeks of Level 02. 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
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. Program coordinator or course facilitator confirm placements with students, including the placement agency, dates, hours, etc. Further information is available on the Field Placement Centre website: 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 may be required, by the placement agency, to submit a copy of your PRCSVS.

PRIOR LEARNING AND RECOGNITION (PLAR)
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a postsecondary 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.

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).