Program Overview
The Border Services diploma program provides a foundational knowledge in customs, immigration and food inspection. Students will become familiar with the pertinent legislation, procedures, and documentation required to move people and goods across the border. In addition, they will also develop important communication, dispute resolution and critical thinking skills. The program is designed to provide graduates with foundational training to enable them to seek careers in the many industries and government agencies responsible for facilitating the movement of persons and goods across the borders.
Program Highlights
- Students utilize a variety of methods, including role playing and hands on activities, to demonstrate their understating and ability to combine the material covered in the core courses of this program: Border Service; Immigration; Brokerage; Food, Plant and Animal Import Requirements; Counterfeit Documents and Fraud Detection; Investigation, Interviewing and Evidence as well as Criminal Code and Federal Statutes.
- The focus of the Control and Defensive Techniques course enables students to gain an understanding of the authority and the importance of being able to articulate why a particular use of force was exercised.
- In the Extremism & Fundamentalism in Canadian Society course students examine the complexity and dynamics of political and religious fundamentalism using an integrated and interdisciplinary perspective.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this program will be prepared for the demands of being on the front line of global trade; seek careers in the many industries and government agencies responsible for facilitating the movement of persons and goods across the borders as well as careers in law enforcement.
Degree Completions
St. Clair College has an articulation agreement with Athabasca University that allows graduates of the Border Services program to pursue a university degree to further their career and/or academic studies.
Students can receive credit towards Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Post Diploma), Bachelor of Management 3Yr (Post Diploma), Bachelor of Human Resources Labour Relations (Post Diploma), Bachelor of Science (Post Diploma), or Bachelor of Professional Arts programs, including:
Students interested in this pathway are encouraged to connect directly with Athabasca University.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College(C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4U or EAE4C
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
Health & Fitness Requirements
Applicants must be able to physically perform the duties of this position. Students will complete occupational fitness requirements for border, correctional and police services. Any student seeking entry into this program should evaluate their physical readiness in anticipation of a rigorous fitness routine.
Courses
Please scroll to the bottom of the list to review the Pre/Co-Requisites.
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
JUS100
|
Law And Justice Communications I
|
3
|
|
JUS101
|
Lifestyle & Fitness Management I
|
3
|
|
JUS102
|
Interpersonal & Group Dynamics
|
3
|
|
JUS103
|
Issues In Canadian Criminal Justice
|
3
|
|
JUS104
|
Psychology For Law And Justice
|
3
|
|
JUS105
|
Ethics And Professionalism
|
3
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
JUS200
|
Law & Justice Communications II
|
3
|
|
JUS201
|
Lifestyle & Fitness Management II
|
3
|
|
JUS204
|
Interviewing & Investigation
|
3
|
|
JUS211
|
Mental Health And Addiction Awareness For First Responders
|
3
|
Semester 3
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
BRS304
|
Intraprofessional Skills Development
|
3
|
|
BRS306
|
Control & Defensive Techniques
|
3
|
|
BRS307
|
Criminal Code & Federal Statutes For Border Service
|
3
|
|
HSC168
|
First Aid, CPR, Defibrillator
|
1
|
Semester 4
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
BRS400
|
Counterfeit Documents & Fraud Detection
|
3
|
|
BRS403
|
Food, Plant & Animal Import Requirements
|
3
|
|
BRS404
|
Investigation & Evidence
|
3
|
|
BRS405
|
Extremism & Fundamentalism In Canadian Society
|
3
|
|
BRS411
|
Border Services Capstone
|
3
|
*Lab components of Fitness classes within this program are delivered at the main campus.
View Pre/Co-Requisites for Border Services
Every effort has been made to align the pre/co-requisite document with the information on the course outline. However, if there are any discrepancies identified, the information on the course outline takes precedence.
Past Cohorts:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| JUS100 |
Law And Justice Communications I |
3 |
| JUS101 |
Lifestyle & Fitness Management I |
3 |
| JUS102 |
Interpersonal & Group Dynamics |
3 |
| JUS103 |
Issues In Canadian Criminal Justice |
3 |
| JUS104 |
Psychology For Law And Justice |
3 |
| JUS105 |
Ethics And Professionalism |
3 |
| ELEC1030 |
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3 |
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| JUS200 |
Law & Justice Communications II |
3 |
| JUS201 |
Lifestyle & Fitness Management II |
3 |
| JUS202 |
Conflict Management |
3 |
| JUS203 |
Criminology |
3 |
| JUS204 |
Interviewing & Investigation |
3 |
| ELEC1030 |
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3 |
| JUS211 |
Mental Health And Addiction Awareness For First Responders |
3 |
Semester 3
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| BRS301 |
Border Service |
3 |
| BRS302 |
Immigration |
3 |
| BRS304 |
Intraprofessional Skills Development |
3 |
| BRS306 |
Control & Defensive Techniques |
3 |
| BRS307 |
Criminal Code & Federal Statutes For Border Service |
3 |
| HSC168 |
First Aid, CPR, Defibrillator |
1 |
| ELEC1030 |
Choose 1 Elective Course |
3 |
Semester 4
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| BRS400 |
Counterfeit Documents & Fraud Detection |
3 |
| BRS402 |
Brokerage |
3 |
| BRS403 |
Food, Plant & Animal Import Requirements |
3 |
| BRS404 |
Investigation & Evidence |
3 |
| BRS405 |
Extremism & Fundamentalism In Canadian Society |
3 |
| BRS406 |
French Communication |
3 |
Your Investment
The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:
2025-2026 Tuition Fees
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.
Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.
Tuition and Payment Info Campus Bookstore
Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Protection, Security and Investigation (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 53007)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Work in compliance with established standards and relevant legislation in the protection, security and investigation fields.
- Make decisions in a timely, effective and legally defensible manner to uphold protection and security.
- Carry out delegated duties and responsibilities in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
- Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.
- Work effectively as a member of a protection and security team.
- Prevent and resolve crisis, conflict and emergency situations by applying effective techniques.
- Conduct and/or contribute to investigations by collecting, preserving and presenting admissible evidence.
- Monitor, evaluate and accurately document behaviours, situations and events.
- Develop and implement ongoing effective strategies for personal and professional development.
SCC enriched vocational learning outcomes
- Utilize border services enforcement tools in field-related situations.
- Identify people who are inadmissible to Canada, including those involved in terrorism, organized crime, war crimes or crimes against humanity and execute appropriate criteria for their removal.
- Adhere to protocol as it relates to the health and protection of food, plants, animals, and Canada’s resource base.
- Abide with policies and procedures for the import of goods and services as they relate to the protection of Canadian industry from injurious effects of dumped and subsidized goods.
