Make a difference where it matters most—in public safety and justice

From policing and emergency operations to criminal justice and crime prevention, you'll be ready to take on the responsibilities that keep communities safe.

At MacEwan University, the Bachelor of Public Safety and Justice blends classroom learning with practical experience. Take courses in areas such as transformative justice and cybersecurity while you explore the social sciences and electives that broaden your perspective.

Along the way, you build the leadership, problem-solving and ethical decision-making skills needed to navigate complex challenges with knowledge and confidence.

Prepare. Practice. Protect.

Through applied learning and community engagement, MacEwan prepares you for the realities of modern public safety and justice careers.

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Hands-on learning

Apply what you learn through field placements, community partnerships and applied projects.
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Multiple career pathways

Prepare for careers in areas such as policing, investigations, corrections and emergency communications.
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Career-ready skills

Develop the analytical, investigative and communication skills needed for modern public safety and justice roles.
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Customize your degree

Tailor your studies with embedded diplomas, certificates or minors that match your interests.

Your future

Public safety and justice professionals are in high demand. This degree prepares you to step into a meaningful role with confidence. Through experiential learning rooted in integrity and respect, you are ready for a career in community justice, corrections, policing, investigations and more.

What you learn

In this program, you develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in complex public safety and justice environments.

You learn to do the following:

  • Analyze crime, risk and public safety challenges.
  • Understand criminal justice systems, law and policy.
  • Apply investigative and intelligence-gathering techniques.
  • Assess ethical and social implications of justice decisions.
  • Communicate effectively with diverse communities.
  • Collaborate with public safety and justice professionals.

You also explore emerging areas shaping the field's future including cybercrime, intelligence analysis, Indigenous justice and community-based approaches to safety and prevention.

Careers

Public safety and justice professionals play a vital role in protecting communities and supporting fair, effective justice systems.

Graduates of this program pursue careers across the public safety and justice sector including roles in policing, investigations, corrections, intelligence and emergency response.

Career paths include the following:

  • police officer
  • parole or probation officer
  • security intelligence officer
  • emergency management officer
  • emergency communicator (911 dispatcher)
  • park warden
  • crime analyst
  • public safety operations manager

Employers are increasingly seeking professionals who combine practical skills with strong ethical judgement and an understanding of the communities they serve.

The Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) has detailed occupational profiles, salary survey data, trend reports and assessment tools to help you choose and plan a career that matches your skills and interests.
I’ve always wanted to go into policing, but I never realized just how many different career paths you could take. After the first day of my practicum, I knew a community-involved role was exactly what I wanted to do for a living.
Conor McGhee, Police and Investigations student

What to expect

In the first two years of the Bachelor of Public Safety and Justice, you explore the foundations of law and justice, strengthen your communication skills and learn the importance of mental health and resiliency in the field. Throughout your studies, you sharpen your critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills while choosing electives in areas such as psychology, sociology and political science to expand your perspective.

In your final two years, you choose from advanced topics such as cybersecurity, emergency management, transformative justice, conflict resolution, Indigenous justice and criminal intelligence. You also complete a two-part, research- or practice-based capstone project where you work with a community partner to apply what you learned and make a real impact.

Already have a diploma or certificate?

If you have a certificate in emergency communications and response or a diploma in police studies, investigative studies, or community justice and corrections, MacEwan may be able to transfer the credits from your certificate or diploma—whether earned here or elsewhere—to this degree, helping you finish the program in less time.

Focus your degree

Tailor your Bachelor of Public Safety and Justice degree to your strengths and interests with a minor or with an embedded diploma or certificate.

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Courses & Requirements
Check the academic calendar to find the courses you need to take and the requirements you must fulfill to complete your program.
Academic Calendar
Learn in the field
Field placements immerse you in real public safety settings, where you learn alongside experienced professionals. You gain insight into how agencies operate while developing the practical skills and professional awareness needed for careers across the justice system.
Explore Field Placements
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