Get the Skills to Become a Security Professional

Security Guard looking at computer monitor.
Security guards are responsible for monitoring the premises through patrols or video surveillance

Security and Community Safety Certificate in as Little as 25 Weeks Online OR On Campus

Security professionals play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of people, property, and assets in various settings. Professionals in this field protect their client’s properties from theft, vandalism and other illegal activity.

Select from three programs to fit your desired path and career goals: Security and Community Safety Certificate (25 weeks), Enhanced Security and Community Safety Certificate (37 weeks), or Justice & Community Safety Leadership Diploma (61 weeks).

Why Upskilling is Essential in Today’s Job Market

Like many Canadians, you may be concerned about the rising cost of living and the need to find ways to increase your income potential. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, training to obtain new qualifications could be a great solution.

Discovery Community College is dedicated to offering convenient, supportive, and affordable career training. With a range of funding options available, there has never been a better time to invest in upskilling.  Contact us today to learn how we can help you get ahead in today’s job market.

Becoming a Qualified Security Professional

If you’re looking for a steady, reliable career, look no further than a career in security. At Discovery Community College, we’re proud of our history of trainee success.

Discovery Community College offers two Security Certificate programs: Security and Community Safety & Enhanced Security and Community Safety. If you’re looking to quickly start a career in the security field, consider either Certificate program. From there, you can choose to complete the Justice & Community Safety Leadership Diploma program, which is designed to give you advanced security training.

During the Security and Community Safety – Certificate program, you will learn:

  • Mental Health for Community Safety
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Foundational Safety Certificates
  • Community Safety Professionalism and Ethics
  • Indigenous Cultures in Canada
  • Canadian Charter and Criminal Code
  • Basic Security Training (BST)
  • Cultural Foundations of Community Safety

Ready-to-work graduates can use this program as a foundation toward a career in a wide variety of private and government safety administration and security roles. This program introduces the foundational knowledge and skills required to become a successful applicant for a career in community safety and security.

During the Enhanced Security and Community Safety – Certificate program, you will learn:

  • Mental Health for Community Safety
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Foundational Safety Certificates
  • Community Safety Professionalism and Ethics
  • Indigenous Cultures in Canada
  • Canadian Charter and Criminal Code
  • Basic Security Training (BST)
  • Cultural Foundations of Community Safety
  • Diversity in Canada
  • Conflict Management for Community Safety
  • Understanding Crime in Canada
  • Practicum Work Experience

This program introduces foundational knowledge and skills required to become a successful applicant for a career in security, probation and conservation administration, border services and related community safety positions across Canada.

After successful completion of your Security Guard training program, you will be fully prepared to apply for your BC Security license.

There has never been more funding for career training than there is right now. A variety of funding opportunities may be available to you, including WorkBC, Student Aid BC, and employment grants. An experienced Financial Aid Representative is available to answer any questions you may have, can assist with potential funding applications and help you discover the best options for your specific needs.

Is a Career in Security and Community Safety Right for You? Take the Discovery Community College “Security Career Training Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Security Career Readiness Score Now >>

Security and Community Safety – Certificate

Total: 500 hours, 25 weeks

Introduction to Community Safety – 240 hours / 12 weeks

  • Microsoft Office 365 Essential Skills (40 hours)
  • Mental Health for Community Safety Part I (40 hours)
  • Crisis Intervention (24 hours)
  • Introduction to Community Safety Part I (20 hours)
  • Introduction to Community Safety Part II (44 hours)
  • Foundational Safety Certificates (32 hours)
  • Community Safety Professionalism and Ethics (40 hours)

Cultural Safety & Security – 240 hours / 12 weeks

  • Introduction to Psychology for Community Safety (48 hours)
  • Indigenous Cultures in Canada (40 hours)
  • Canadian Charter and Criminal Code (24 hours)
  • Mental Health for Community Safety Part II (48 hours)
  • Basic Security Training (BST) (40 hours)
  • Cultural Foundations of Community Safety (40 hours)


Enhanced Security and Community Safety – Certificate

Total: 740 hours, 37 weeks

Introduction to Community Safety – 240 hours / 12 weeks

  • Microsoft Office 365 Essential Skills (40 hours)
  • Mental Health for Community Safety Part I (40 hours)
  • Crisis Intervention (24 hours)
  • Introduction to Community Safety Part I (20 hours)
  • Introduction to Community Safety Part II (44 hours)
  • Foundational Safety Certificates (32 hours)
  • Community Safety Professionalism and Ethics (40 hours)

Cultural Safety & Security – 240 hours / 12 weeks

  • Introduction to Psychology for Community Safety (48 hours)
  • Indigenous Cultures in Canada (40 hours)
  • Canadian Charter and Criminal Code (24 hours)
  • Mental Health for Community Safety Part II (48 hours)
  • Basic Security Training (BST) (40 hours)
  • Cultural Foundations of Community Safety (40 hours)

Social Safety & Security – 240 hours /12 weeks

  • Employability Skills (40 hours)
  • Diversity in Canada (40 hours)
  • Introduction to Sociology for Community Safety (40 hours)
  • Conflict Management for Community Safety (40 hours)
  • Understanding Crime in Canada (44 hours)
  • Practicum Work Experience (36 hours)

DCC offers 2 security training options tailored to your area of interest and career goals:

Security & Community Safety Certificate & Enhanced Security & Community Safety Certificate Curriculum Guide

  • Security and Community Safety Certificate – 25 weeks, 500 hours
  • Enhanced Security and Community Safety Certificate – 37 weeks, 740 hours

Security and Community Safety Certificate

The Security and Community Safety Certificate program prepares you with the foundational background, applied skills, and knowledge required to become an entry-level candidate in the field of security and safety.

This program includes several important micro-credentials that are often required for entry-level security employment. These include certificates in areas such as first aid, violence prevention, and Basic Security Training.

Enhanced Security and Community Safety Certificate

The Enhanced Security and Community Safety Certificate program prepares you with the academic background, applied skills, and knowledge required to become a well-prepared candidate in the fields of community safety, security, and justice.

This program will provide you with a deeper understanding and skill in interpreting and managing cultural dynamics, crisis intervention, diverse cultural norms, and an introduction to some of the tools used to understand crime in Canada.

Locations:

Class Delivery:  On campus, blended on campus and online, and online with practicum placements in your local community

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet these requirements prior to acceptance into the program:

• Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent (ABE)*, or equivalent* from another school system OR be a mature applicant (must be 19 years old on the first day of class)

• If a mature applicant, then provide proof of completion of grade 10 English from a BC secondary school or equivalent* from another school system or complete one of the following assessments:

Accuplacer
• Next generation reading minimum score 230
• Next generation writing minimum score 230

Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) within the last year
• Listening 6
• Speaking 6
• Reading 6
• Writing 6

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

  • Academic or General test within the last two years
    • Overall band score of 5.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of speaking, listening, writing, reading.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Overall score of 46-59
• Reading 8-12
• Writing 18-20
• Speaking 16-17
• Listening 7-11

  • Signed consent for a criminal record check under the Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP)

Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.

*Equivalent:
For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor. Entrance requirements may be met with evidence of secondary and post-secondary studies at an equivalent level, and/or with successful assessment testing.

Criminal Record Checks

For the CRC with the Ministry of Justice of British Columbia, DCC will submit an on-line application to the
Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP). For the CRC with the RCMP, applicants must submit their own
application to an RCMP detachment. The status of the CRC does not automatically prevent an applicant from
attending this program. However, any CRC that reveals “relevant” offences may limit work experience
options.

A satisfactory criminal record check is one that shows no convictions for any offences reviewed under the
Criminal Records Review Act by the Ministry of Justice of British Columbia and no convictions for any
offences reviewed under the Certified Criminal Record Check conducted by the RCMP, as well as no
outstanding criminal charges. Note that these are two separate criminal records checks conducted
separately and they review different offences. We strongly recommend that students get both criminal
records checks completed.

Note that employers in the fields of security, safety, justice, and related professions will normally require a
clear criminal record prior to employment. We strongly recommend that students complete their CRC
through both the CRRP and the RCMP

Important Note

Federal, Provincial and Municipal agencies in Canada have their own requirements for regulatory
enforcement personnel employment. Students wishing to pursue these careers should ensure that they are
able to meet the educational, physical, and other entry requirements for their desired employment before
enrolling in one of these programs. Completion of one of these programs does not guarantee entry into any
law enforcement or regulatory enforcement profession. However, we believe that completion will help the
student become a preferred candidate in the recruiting process.

Domestic Fees

Enhanced Security &
Community Safety Certificate Domestic Fees:

Application Fee: $100.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $12,277.73
Textbooks & Supplies: $700.90
Total: $13,142.73

Security & Community Safety Certificate
Domestic Fees

Application Fee: $100.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $8,786.89
Textbooks & Supplies: $541.90
Total: $9,484.94

International Fees

Enhanced Security &
Community Safety Certificate (International) Fees

Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $15,862.05
Textbooks & Supplies: $700.90
Total: $16,777.05

Enhanced Security &
Community Safety Certificate (International) w/Co-Op Fees

Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $17,662.05
Textbooks & Supplies: $700.90
Total: $18,577.05

Security & Community Safety Certificate
(International) Fees

Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $11,341.95
Textbooks & Supplies: $541.90
Total: $12,090.00

Practical “On-The-Job” Training

As a trainee in Security Guard Officer training, you’ll train hands-on during a practicum placement at a variety of sites in the community. Practicums are an excellent way to gain real-world experience, make important industry connections and try different aspects of the profession before you finish this program.

Successful ready-to-work graduates of Security Guard training in BC enter the professional world with confidence, knowing they have both the theoretical classroom skills and the hands-on, practical experience to make a real difference in their new career. With career-focused Security Guard training in BC and dedicated support from Discovery Community College, you could be working in a new career in less than a year.

Convenient Learning Options

At Discovery Community College, you don’t have to put your life on hold to start career training. We offer accessible learning including on-campus, online and blended on-campus and online learning options.

Many of our learners are raising families and some continue to work while training. We will help you choose a schedule that works for you.

International Learners

As an international learner training at Discovery Community College, our co-op based training programs allows you to gain real-world experience in the community with a cooperative work experience placement upon completion of the program.

Over 35 Years of Success

Discovery Community College has been training learners just like you for successful careers for over 35 years. Our college is a well-respected institution, who has formed alliances with numerous community partners. We are also registered with and designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch of British Columbia, formally PPSEC, since 1996.

Is a Rewarding Career as a Security Professional Right for You?

If you’re interested in learning more about Security Guard training in BC and exploring whether this might be the career path for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.

Our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Representatives are also happy to answer any questions you have and can help with everything from course information to financial aid options.

To speak with Admissions right away, give us a call at 1-877-315-5241.

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