Canadian Criminal
Justice Academy
Criminal Justice Diploma
Program Description
The Canadian Criminal Justice Academy offers a 2-year Criminal Justice Diploma designed to equip Learners with a robust academic foundation, essential skills, and practical experience for future careers in criminal justice. Graduates will be highly sought after in public safety and eligible for employment in a wide range of related fields.
Admissions Start Date: September 2026, January 2027, and May 2027
Program: Full time study over 5 semesters
Program Delivery: In-class and on-campus
Application
-
At least 17 years old at the date of application with the Applicant reaching their 18ᵗʰ birthday before formal studies begin. This “age of majority” is a requirement to access facilities, practicum opportunities, and positions within justice, corrections, public and private policing, and other criminal justice-related areas.
-
Possess a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent to Canadian standards - Learn more
-
Be a Canadian citizen, or hold a Permanent Resident status with the Government of Canada.
-
Apply Online
You must submit a preliminary application to become an official candidate for upcoming cohorts.
The Admissions Officer at CCJA will start your admissions process upon receiving the completed application online and have received the non-refundable registration fee. Upon completion, your application along with the eligibility questions will be reviewed. Eligibility will be determined by the Admission Officer.
Once approved, you will receive a conditional acceptance letter and be invited to the registration stage.
Application fee - $75 + GST
Please note once we have reviewed your qualification you will then be able to move forward with your admission process.
The Application Fee is non-refundable.
Admissions
Once you have received a conditional acceptance letter, you may move on to the admissions process.
Candidates seeking admission to the Academy require a recommendation from a Distinguished Nomination Officer (DNO). The DNO nomination is crucial, signifying recognition of promising leadership, academic excellence, and commitment. The DNO Officer can be from various sectors, and familiarity of the Registrant is not required. It is recommended that the Registrant provide a goal-focused cover letter to their DNO Officer that describes the level of commitment to their education and service to their communities. Nomination officials may be invited to Academy events and ceremonies. A nomination is a mandatory requirement to attend CCJA. Find out more info here.
Completing a Personal Disclosure Form and Personal Disclosure Interview
Completing the Personal Disclosure Form and attending the Personal Disclosure Interview is a pre-requisite which reflects the stages to being recruited to a police agency in Alberta.
Polygraph Interview Conducted
A polygraph is a truth verifier and an important step in your diploma application. The Academy utilizes the results to determine approval into the Criminal Justice Diploma Program. A certified polygraphist will conduct this examination. This is a Diploma pre-education polygraph and not a criminal investigation. Honesty and thoroughness are the measurables for this important and mandatory step.
Submit All documents
Required documents include:
-
High School Diploma and Transcripts
-
Copy of the Provincial Driver’s Licence or Provincial Identification Card
-
Distinguished Nomination Officer (DNO) Letter
-
Completed Personal Disclosure Form
-
Completed Polygraph Examination
-
Any Other Certifications or Documentation
-
Student Enrollment Contract
Upon review of the results of the truth verification and submitted documentation, the candidate will receive the academic policies and student manual along with the Student Enrollment Contract for review and acknowledgment.
Letter of Acceptance
Upon receipt of the Student Enrollment Contract, the Letter of Acceptance from the Executive Officers of the Canadian Criminal Justice Academy will be delivered. A $500.00 registration fee will be required to hold position in the cohort. This fee is applied to the tuition fees in the first semester.
1. Criminal Justice System
2. Effective Writing & Research Methods
3. Law Enforcement Investigations (Level 1)
4. Fitness and Lifestyle I
5. Justice and Criminology
Semester 1 Courses
Semester 2 Courses
-
Common Law, Criminal Procedures, and Criminal Code
-
Police Powers and Authority
-
Law Enforcement Investigations (Level 2)
-
Policing Indigenous People and Community
-
Traffic Investigations, Enforcement, and Management
-
Semester 3
Criminal Justice Careers Practicum - 240 hours - Local, Regional, and International Practicum Opportunities
Semester 4
1. Law Enforcement Investigations (Level 3)
2. Canadian Youth Justice; Protecting the Future
3. Mental Health and Addiction
4. Search, Seizure and Evidence
5. Communication and conflict resolution
Semester 5 Courses
-
Ethics, Police leadership, and decision- making
-
Human Rights and Diversity - Policing in a Multicultural Canada
-
Law Enforcement Investigations (Level 4)
-
Fitness and Lifestyle 2
-
Community Policing Initiatives
-
Course Listing
Career Options
Our graduates will become top candidates in public safety, equipped to pursue a broad array of career opportunities in related fields, including:
Municipal police services
Federal police and enforcement agencies
Canada Border Services Agency
Provincial and Municipal Peace Officers
Correctional Peace Officers
Private security agencies
Provincial, private, and non-governmental justice-related agencies.
Tuition
Tuition includes the following:
-
Coursework
-
Student fees
-
Course material fees
-
Textbook and electronic textbook fees
-
Student Insurance Coverage
-
Graduation fees
-
Administrative fees
-
Clubs & Activities
Financial Aid
Financial Support Options for Your Criminal Justice Education
At CCJA, we understand that investing in your education is a big decision, and we’re here to help make it more accessible. If you're looking for support with tuition for your Diploma, there are a few funding options available to eligible students in Alberta and across Canada.
1. Student Aid Alberta & Canada Student Loans
Through the Student Aid Alberta system, you can apply for both provincial and federal funding in one application. This includes non-repayable grants (based on financial need, family status, or disability).
Funds can typically be used for:
-
Tuition and course materials
-
Living expenses while in school
-
Transportation and other eligible costs
How to apply:
Visit Student Aid Alberta to complete your application. It’s recommended you apply early to ensure your funding is in place by the start of your semester.
2. Points for School – Pay Tuition with Loyalty Points
Points for School gives students and their supporters a unique way to help cover education costs by redeeming loyalty program points toward tuition and fees.
You can use your own points or receive contributions from friends and family to help fund your studies.
Simply register at www.pointsforschool.com, follow the steps to link your loyalty accounts, and apply your education credits directly to your school balance.
It's a creative and flexible way to make your education more affordable.
Campus Tour
Stepping into a criminal justice academy can feel incredibly intimidating. You might be staring at the website, wondering, "Should I apply?", "Can I get past admissions?", or "Is a law enforcement career actually the right path for me?"
Those doubts are completely normal, and honestly? They mean you care about getting it right.
We don't expect you to have it all figured out before you walk through our doors. That’s exactly why we host campus tours. This isn't a high-pressure sales pitch. It’s a chance to quiet the noise, see where you'll be training, meet the instructors, and get real, unvarnished answers to your toughest questions.
You don’t have to carry the weight of this decision alone, either. Bring your parents, your partner, or whoever your support system is. We want them to see the environment, ask their own questions, and feel confident about where you're headed.
No fear. No pressure. Just the facts you need to make an informed decision for your future.