Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice & Legal Studies | St. Clair College

Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice & Legal Studies

School of Community Studies
Program Code: C999
Status: Open
Windsor Campus
Apply Online:
Domestic International
Four Year - Honours Bachelor Degree
Starts: September

Pathways

Contact:
Elizabeth Strutt-MacLeod
519-972-2727 ext. 4415

  • What’s really great about St. Clair College, is the small and intimate classroom sizes. It really gives you that one-on-one instructor experience, that prepares you for work in the real world.

    - Samantha Elford - 1st Year Student, Honours Bachelor Degree in Social Justice and Legal Studies

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Program Overview

The Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice & Legal Studies four year bachelor degree program combines the foundational knowledge and strengths of three pillars instrumental in bringing about socio-political development and positive change: poverty law, social justice, and community capacity building as achieved through education, advocacy, and activism. This multifaceted and interdisciplinary program, delivered primarily face to face with online support and some hybrid delivery, also includes curriculum providing a strong foundation of both the theoretical underpinnings as well as established practices in criminology, sociology, social work, philosophy, political science, Canadian law, community capacity building, and the study of under-represented and/or vulnerable populations.

Graduates will acquire strong problem-solving and analytical skills together with the interpersonal skills required of one seeking a leadership position in advocating for the reconstruction of societal constructs and practices on behalf of victimized and/or marginalized individuals and groups. Students will learn to critically analyze, formulate and develop strategies to address situations brought about through the withholding of full and equitable distribution of economic advantage, educational opportunity, sociopolitical power and/or physical resources from those without a political and/or social voice.

The program will also include practical components, such as case studies inviting creative programming, mock mediations bringing about affordable resolutions, simulations reflective of addressing social injustice, a capstone project geared toward finding strategies to address real world problems, and an internship with a social justice, community, not-for-profit, governmental, or legal organization.

The program curriculum will stimulate the development of an inquiring mind, increase sensitivity for inequalities, and encourage independent judgment and critical self-awareness. Graduates will not only be equipped to assist individuals, groups, organizations and coalitions to navigate the social-legal system in pursuit of democracy, participation and inclusiveness in the design and realization of equitable laws, but also be well prepared to pursue graduate studies in social justice and related fields.

Program Highlights

Students must complete a mandatory 14-week Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placement to qualify for graduation. This work term takes place between semesters 6 and 7 and serves as an opportunity for students to build upon previous experiential and theoretical knowledge and apply new found knowledge and skills to major projects in their last two semesters of study.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program will be able to gain employment in various roles focused on advocacy, public service, law enforcement, labour relations and/or in the creation and development of programs and services for community organizations, not-for-profit groups, and/or government departments. Specific careers could include community and social service workers, community and/or political liaison/ombudspersons, mediators, labour representatives, court officials, probation and parole officers, police officers, correctional service officers, by-law enforcement officials and other regulatory roles.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the bachelor program requires at a minimum, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, six University or University/College courses at the Grade 12 level, and a minimum average of 65%. Program-specific admission requirements include:.

Required:

  • English, Grade 12(ENG4U or equivalent)
  • Five other Grade 12 credits (U or M or equivalent)
  • The applicant must achieve an overall average grade of at least 65% in the above requirements.  In addition, the applicant must achieve a grade of at least 65% in ENG4U (or equivalent), with no grade less than 60% in the remaining courses used to qualify for admission.

Recommended:

  • Grade 12 Math (MDM4U or equivalent)

Selection Procedure

Eligible applicants will be selected by calculating the average of their top six Grade 12 U/M credits, including ENG4U.

Important Information

Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other related programs.

This is a HIGH-INTEREST program and has the potential to become oversubscribed. Applicants are advised to apply before February 1st. See Admission Procedures for details.

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
BASJ100
 		Introduction To The Canadian Law And Legal Institutions
3
BASJ104
 		Fundamentals Of Sociological And Psychological Theories
3
BASJ102
 		Critical Thinking And Argument Development
3
BASJ103
 		Law, Power And Social Justice
3
CMST104
 		Academic Writing
3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
BASJ200
 		Counselling And Case Management
3
BASJ201
 		Fundamentals Of Community Outreach And Advocacy
3
BASJ202
 		Access To Justice-Society And The Law
3
BASJ203
 		Race, Class, Gender And Social Inequality
3
BSIT204
 		Organizational Behaviour
3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
BASJ300
 		Legal Research And Writing
3
BASJ301
 		Criminology
3
BASJ302
 		Criminal Law And Procedure
3
BASJ303
 		Ethics, Leadership And Professional Responsibility
3
ELEC1DEGRE
 		Choose 1 Degree Elective Course
3
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
BASJ400
 		Administrative Law And Tribunals
3
BASJ401
 		Working With Vulnerable Populations
3
BASJ402
 		Practices And Policies Of Crime Prevention
3
BASJ403
 		Employment Law
3
CMST404
 		Models Of Community Wellness
3
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
BASJ500
 		Crisis Counselling And Intervention
3
BASJ501
 		Theories And Practices In Social Justice
3
BASJ703
 		Social Science Research
3
BASJ503
 		Social Movements And Social Change
3
CMST504
 		Interpersonal Communications In Work And Life
3
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
BASJ600
 		Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice
3
BASJ601
 		Community Activism: Mobilizing For Change
3
BASJ602
 		Victimology
3
BASJ603
 		Professional And Career Development
3
BASJ604
 		Interdisciplinary Statistical Methods
3
Work Integrated Learning
Code Title Credits
BASJ610
 		Bachelor Of Arts In Social Justice And Legal Studies Professional Practice
28
Semester 7
Code Title Credits
BASJ700
 		Community Development Through Activism And Capacity Building
3
BASJ701
 		Restorative Justice
3
BASJ702
 		Oral And Written Advocacy-Proposals And Presentations
3
BASJ502
 		Constitutional Law and Human Rights
3
BASJ704
 		Introduction to Accounting
3
Semester 8
Code Title Credits
BASJ800
 		The Philosophy Of Social And Political Change
3
BASJ801
 		Activism, Advocacy And Social Change Through Social Media
3
BASJ802
 		Socio-Legal Approaches For Advancing Interests
3
CMST903
 		Indigenous Socio-Legal Traditions & Perspectives
3
ELEC1DEGRE
 		Choose 1 Degree Elective Course
3

View Pre/Co-Requisites for Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice & Legal Studies

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
BASJ100 Introduction To The Canadian Law And Legal Institutions 3
BASJ101 Introduction To Canadian Government And Politics 3
BASJ102 Critical Thinking And Argument Development 3
BASJ103 Law, Power And Social Justice 3
CMST104 Academic Writing 3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
BASJ200 Counselling And Case Management 3
BASJ201 Fundamentals Of Community Outreach And Advocacy 3
BASJ202 Access To Justice-Society And The Law 3
BASJ203 Race, Class, Gender And Social Inequality 3
BSIT204 Organizational Behaviour 3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
BASJ300 Legal Research And Writing 3
BASJ301 Criminology 3
BASJ302 Criminal Law And Procedure 3
BASJ303 Ethics, Leadership And Professional Responsibility 3
ELEC1DEGRE Choose 1 Degree Elective Course 3
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
BASJ400 Administrative Law And Tribunals 3
BASJ401 Working With Vulnerable Populations 3
BASJ402 Practices And Policies Of Crime Prevention 3
BASJ403 Employment Law 3
CMST404 Models Of Community Wellness 3
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
BASJ500 Crisis Counselling And Intervention 3
BASJ501 Theories And Practices In Social Justice 3
BASJ703 Social Science Research 3
BASJ503 Social Movements And Social Change 3
CMST504 Interpersonal Communications In Work And Life 3
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
BASJ600 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice 3
BASJ601 Community Activism: Mobilizing For Change 3
BASJ602 Victimology 3
BASJ603 Professional And Career Development 3
BASJ604 Interdisciplinary Statistical Methods 3
Work Integrated Learning
Code Title Credits
BASJ610 Bachelor Of Arts In Social Justice And Legal Studies Professional Practice 28
Semester 7
Code Title Credits
BASJ700 Community Development Through Activism And Capacity Building 3
BASJ701 Restorative Justice 3
BASJ702 Oral And Written Advocacy-Proposals And Presentations 3
BASJ502 Constitutional Law and Human Rights 3
BASJ704 Introduction to Accounting 3
Semester 8
Code Title Credits
BASJ800 The Philosophy Of Social And Political Change 3
BASJ801 Activism, Advocacy And Social Change Through Social Media 3
BASJ802 Socio-Legal Approaches For Advancing Interests 3
CMST903 Indigenous Socio-Legal Traditions & Perspectives 3
ELEC1DEGRE Choose 1 Degree Elective Course 3
Semester 1
Code Title Credits
BASJ100 Introduction To The Canadian Law And Legal Institutions 3
BASJ101 Introduction To Canadian Government And Politics 3
BASJ102 Critical Thinking And Argument Development 3
BASJ103 Law, Power And Social Justice 3
CMST104 Academic Writing 3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
BASJ200 Counselling And Case Management 3
BASJ201 Fundamentals Of Community Outreach And Advocacy 3
BASJ202 Access To Justice-Society And The Law 3
BASJ203 Race, Class, Gender And Social Inequality 3
BSIT204 Organizational Behaviour 3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
BASJ300 Legal Research And Writing 3
BASJ301 Criminology 3
BASJ302 Criminal Law And Procedure 3
BASJ303 Ethics, Leadership And Professional Responsibility 3
ELEC1DEGRE Choose 1 Degree Elective Course 3
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
BASJ400 Administrative Law And Tribunals 3
BASJ401 Working With Vulnerable Populations 3
BASJ402 Practices And Policies Of Crime Prevention 3
BASJ403 Employment Law 3
CMST404 Models Of Community Wellness 3
Semester 5
Code Title Credits
BASJ500 Crisis Counselling And Intervention 3
BASJ501 Theories And Practices In Social Justice 3
BASJ502 Constitutional Law and Human Rights 3
BASJ503 Social Movements And Social Change 3
CMST504 Interpersonal Communications In Work And Life 3
Semester 6
Code Title Credits
BASJ600 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles And Practice 3
BASJ601 Community Activism: Mobilizing For Change 3
BASJ602 Victimology 3
BASJ603 Professional And Career Development 3
BASJ604 Interdisciplinary Statistical Methods 3
Work Integrated Learning
Code Title Credits
BASJ610 Bachelor Of Arts In Social Justice And Legal Studies Professional Practice 28
Semester 7
Code Title Credits
BASJ700 Community Development Through Activism And Capacity Building 3
BASJ701 Restorative Justice 3
BASJ702 Oral And Written Advocacy-Proposals And Presentations 3
BASJ703 Social Science Research 3
BASJ704 Introduction To Accounting 3
Semester 8
Code Title Credits
BASJ800 The Philosophy Of Social And Political Change 3
BASJ801 Activism, Advocacy And Social Change Through Social Media 3
BASJ802 Socio-Legal Approaches For Advancing Interests 3
CMST803 Leadership Foundations 3
ELEC1DEGRE Choose 1 Degree Elective Course 3

Placement Requirements

  • Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, some of our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.
    • It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their place of business, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.
    • If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
  • All students enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice and Legal Studies degree program are required to complete a 420-hour Internship/Co-op placement.
  • Students are required to have successfully completed the 6 semesters prior to the placement term.
  • Opportunities for student internships/co-ops are arranged by the college; however, students may secure that opportunity for themselves. (In those instances, it must be a field placement reflective of the career paths of the program and with a provider not already set up through the college).
  • Reliable transportation is required, as students may be placed anywhere in Windsor-Essex County. Students are responsible for their own travel and costs related to their field placement experiences.
  • Students will be expected to wear professional attire and conform to the professional requirements of their placement provider.
  • Internships/Co-Op placements comprise of 420 hours and are typically completed at 35 hours a week for 12 weeks or 30 hours a week for 14 weeks during the Spring/Summer Semester between the 3rd and 4th year of the program. Although we make every effort to secure paid Internships/Co-Ops, due to the nature of much of the work in the field and the budget restrictions of non-profits, the Internship/Co-Op position may be unpaid. In those instances, we ask the providers to allow for greater flexibility to allow the student to maintain part-time paid employment.
  • Placement hours may vary from one host to another but are typically a 7-8 hour period between 8am-5pm EST Monday through Friday.
  • To qualify for some Internship/Co-Op placements, students may require a valid police clearance for the vulnerable sector (within 1 year of all placement days). In these instances, the student will be advised in advance to make the application with their respective local police services.

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2024-2025 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.

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

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, students must have successfully completed the specific course requirements of their program with a minimum program Grade Point Average of 2.50 and have no outstanding F (fail), U (unsatisfactory) or I (incomplete) grades.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO’s)

Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice and Legal Studies (Ontario College Baccalaureate Degree) (MTCU Code 83007)

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Examine and discuss the Canadian political and legal systems with a focus on social justice and human rights.
  2. Interpret statutes and case law (torts, contracts, human rights, employment rights, workers’ compensation, and landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities) as they relate to issues involving social justice and people who are marginalized.
  3. Apply legal principles found in case law and statutes to legal problems through the use of critical and analytical reasoning.
  4. Employ effective research strategies and methods on substantive and procedural law using both traditional (library) and software-assisted practices.
  5. Promote advocacy and socio-political change by integrating critical thinking, scholarship, and socio-emotional competencies into evidence-based strategies.
  6. Produce ethically sound written reports, grant/proposal submissions and related documents following appropriate submission procedures, guiding principles, and laws.
  7. Differentiate the structure, function and respective powers of domestic and international political bodies and/or tribunals to identify appropriate forums for social justice and legal rights.
  8. Analyze contemporary and historical frameworks to determine formal and informal solutions to social, political, and legal problems.
  9. Formulate recommendations and strategies for legislative change as a means to improve upon social policies and practices of justice, equity and equality for people who are marginalized and/or economically disadvantaged populations.
  10. Incorporate sensitivity of human diversity with ethical standards of practice to develop strategies that effect personal and social change.
  11. Mobilize resources and personnel to advance interests and social justice outcomes through advocacy, brokerage, and negotiation.
  12. Assess formal and informal individual, group, and institutional behavior and/or practices for the purpose of facilitating constructive social, political, and institutional change.
  13. Demonstrate self-awareness, competence, initiative and professionalism in the planning, implementation and assessment of personal, educational and work-related goals within the context of a changing environment.
  14. Incorporate qualitative and quantitative analysis and research with critical thinking and problem solving skills to address social, political and legal needs.

Program Non-Core Breadth Learning Outcomes (BLO’s)

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Apply critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, written and oral communication skills in disciplines outside of Honors Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice and Legal Studies.
  2. Examine more than introductory concepts of the humanities, sciences, social sciences, global cultures, and/or mathematics.
  3. Relate knowledge of society and culture, and skills relevant to civic engagement.
  4. Incorporate more than introductory knowledge of the distinctive assumptions and modes of analysis of a discipline outside of Honors Bachelor of Applied Arts in Social Justice and Legal Studies

Work Integrated Learning Outcomes (WILO’s)

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Set professional goals for career advancement in social justice, legal rights and/or community capacity building.
  2. Exhibit sensitivity to human diversity while working as part of a team within a social justice, legal rights and/or community capacity building work environment.
  3. Using evidence based strategies, determine and propose adaptive and innovative responses to a variety of needs and situations requiring advocacy and or socio/political change.
  4. Integrate social justice and community capacity building theories by applying processes and requirements of professional practice.
  5. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly as appropriate to the requirements of a position in the field of social justice, legal rights and/or community capacity building.

Additional Information

St. Clair College has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term starting March 27, 2018. Renewal of the Ministerial Consent is a cyclical requirement and the College is in its renewal phase. The college shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.