International students applying for a PGWP: If you are in a flexible delivery course, you must attend in person. The option to attend online does not apply to you. Studying online will impact your PGWP eligibility. Please review the in-person requirements related to PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.
Police Foundations (LAW)
Delivery
Online, HybridDuration
4 Semesters (Fall start - 24 months, Winter start - 16 months)Credential
Ontario College DiplomaSchool
School of Public SafetyAbout the Program
Prepare for an exciting career in law enforcement and crime prevention. In this two-year diploma program, you will gain a comprehensive education combining professional knowledge with practical skills development. This program prepares you a range of careers in public safety, policing, investigations, security and enforcement services in public and private organizations, and corrections.
Seneca’s Police Foundations program uses hybrid and online delivery across our curriculum to deliver innovative and flexible learning focused on student needs. For the majority of courses, students can choose between online and in-class options to decide a delivery mode that works best for students and their timetables, while also concentrating on the applied and professional skills needed for successful careers in law enforcement and community safety.
Pathway to a Degree
Graduates of the Police Foundations program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for advanced entry into semester four of Seneca’s Honours Bachelor of Crime and Intelligence Analysis. This provides an opportunity for students to enter and complete the degree within two years (or five semesters and a work term), after completion of the two-year diploma.
Police Selection
Applicants are advised that following graduation from Police Foundations, the selection process from Police Services in Ontario include:
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada
- written aptitude and communications tests
- criminal records check
- physical fitness testing
- vision, hearing and medical tests
Program Availability
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2025 | King | Open |
| Sept. 2025 | Online | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Online | Open |
Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2025 | Online | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2026 | Online | Open |
Please note that availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements.
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered online and is also available in Seneca's hybrid delivery format for students at King Campus. With hybrid delivery, some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students choosing hybrid delivery at King Campus will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
Your Career
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
Police services and law enforcement
Civilian positions in police and investigative services
Municipal enforcement services
Transit and special constable positions
Private and corporate security
Public safety
- Correctional services
After successful completion of Security & Crime Prevention, you can apply for a training completion number. It will make you eligible to be tested, at your own expense, for the provincially regulated licence to be a security professional.
What Our Graduates Say
Karli Kerr
Graduate, Police Foundations
“I chose to study at Seneca because I appreciated the breadth of its curriculum. I felt that the comprehensive education and combination of professional knowledge with practical skills would really prepare me for a career in law enforcement. My experience at Seneca was unforgettable. Through the program, I gained knowledge and skills that are crucial for my field. Something else that I valued about Seneca was its diversity. During my time as a student, I was exposed to new cultures, experiences and friendships that may not have been possible otherwise.”
Melissa Stewart
Graduate, Advanced Investigations & Enforcement and Police Foundations
“Seneca provides a vast array of courses that prepare you for all avenues in law enforcement and other public safety and security roles. Not only does Seneca have specialty programs like Advanced Investigations & Enforcement to take after Police Foundations, they also provide you the opportunity to bridge over to universities. The relationships you build at Seneca are lasting and the teaching staff is amazing! I cannot thank Seneca enough for getting me to where I am today.”
Winston Stewart
Graduate, Police Foundations and Premier’s Award Nominee
“Speaking to Seneca’s professors and getting introduced to their industry contacts opened a lot of doors for me.”
Joanna Styrczula
Graduate, Police Foundations
"Coming to Canada from Poland, I learned that new career opportunities would be available to me. I had always desired to find a career in policing, so I enrolled in the Law Enforcement program at Seneca. This program not only gave me applied experience and knowledge of the field but quickly launched me into a career in corrections. I then achieved my dream of becoming a police officer and relate much of my success to the value of my education, I have continued my career with Peel Regional Police and proudly hope to elevate the field as a Co-chair of Serving with Pride."
Matt Suppa
Graduate, Police Foundations
"I will never forget my time as a student at Seneca. The educative experience is like no other and the wealth of knowledge that is provided by the instructors is exceptional. Seneca has truly paved a path for me in both my career aspirations and my personal goals. My educative experience at Seneca has greatly prepared me for a career as a police officer."
Aeishia Taylor
Graduate, Honours Bachelor of Crime & Intelligence Analysis and Police Foundations
“My professors encouraged me to be motivated, engaged and confident about my career path. I’m now working at the Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario Court of Justice, as a court and client registrar. I started there as an intern during my program’s work term, and I’ve been there since. My program totally prepared me for my career—there’s no better educational institution that will offer what Seneca has.”
Shannon Toomey
Graduate, Advanced Investigations & Enforcement and Police Foundations
“The education and experience I received while attending Seneca provided me with a wealth of opportunity. The Police Foundations and Advanced Investigations & Enforcement programs provide an environment that truly allows for theory to be integrated into practice, which creates a strong foundation for success in various fields. The transitional skills I received gave me the confidence to explore different paths in law enforcement, security and emergency management in the public and private sectors. The professors are true subject matter experts in their field and the guidance and advice they provide to students is incredibly valuable and something that I continue to benefit from. I will forever be grateful to the professors who opened the doors for me to pursue my passion and succeed in this field.”