Student Experience

What to Expect

Algonquin College is proud to provide a diverse and dynamic student experience. Check out the program highlights below to get a sense of what to expect as a student in the Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours) program.

  • There is a focus on the two primary themes of this program: Emergency Management and Security
  • The program examines policy, legal, theoretical, strategic, and operational issues and practices across a range of local, provincial, federal, and international considerations providing you with a broad understanding of public safety perspectives
  • Professors have a wide range of public safety backgrounds, bringing real world experience, training and education to the courses that they teach
  • Theoretical and experiential courses
  • The opportunity to create meaningful connections in the public safety industry through potential co-op opportunities, applied research, career fairs, and/or in class guest speakers
  • Acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful in a wide range of public safety careers
  • Graduate with a unique credential that you for the challenges of a demanding and rewarding career in the field of public safety
Student presenting on a concept related to public safety in front of the class

Student Success and Testimonials

Hear first hand about Angelina’s experience as a student in the Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours) program.

BPS student“The Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours) program is a new and exciting program to be a part of. The unique courses taught by passionate and experienced professors provide a unique perspective into the public safety domain. These courses open the doors to many different career options, especially through one of the highlights of the program – the co-op placement. With the training in public safety and the emergency management, I was able to use these skills to acquire a co-op placement with the Canadian Coast Guard.

While working with Vessels Of Concern in the response branch of the Coast Guard, I have been able to use my understanding of the public safety field and easily transition from the classroom into the work environment. As well I have gained valuable new experiences that would not have been possible if it weren’t for this program and the relevancy of the content that we are learning.”

-Anthony Wong, Student

 


Work Integrated Learning

  • Experiential learning opportunities such as case studies and simulations 
  • Ability to apply the learning, gain experience, and make meaningful industry connections through potential coop experience or applied research
  • Participation in various activities and events for students throughout the year
Students involved in a public safety exercise in class involving an emergency plan.

March 20, 2021: New Software Prepares the Next Generation of Emergency Managers

The new industry-standard Disaster LAN software, donated to Algonquin College by BCG, will enable Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours) to create full emergency scenarios to help prepare students for real-world events. See the full press release here.

“Recent emergency events have demonstrated that having robust technologies to support emergency managers is important, but not enough. It is critical for first response organizations to be able to rapidly deploy and effectively leverage these tools! You cannot learn to manage the technology or software during the event. Our objective is to develop emergency managers and operators with the knowledge and expertise to use these systems from the outset.”

– Major (Retired) Graham Newbold, PhD, Professor, Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours)

Student Projects

The Ottawa Homicide Project

Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours) students, the Victimology students and the Victimology Research Centre worked collaboratively to give help back to the community by creating the Ottawa Homicide Project. Their goal was to uncover links attached to the geographical locations where homicides occur and their proximity to various community agencies. They’ll be reporting the research to the Byward Market BIA and Lowertown Community Association, to provide those communities with a tool to use at their discretion in the spirit of prevention. Watch the video to see more!

Student wins 2022 American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Essay Competition
Congratulations to Bachelor of Public Safety (Honours) student Aidan Scharf, who won the 2022 American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Essay completion for the Ottawa Chapter, for his essay, Onward and Upward: The Future of Business Continuity Planning. The $2,000 prize was awarded to Aidan at the Chateau Laurier in November.

This is the second year in a row that an Algonquin College, Police and Public Safety Institute student has won the competition.

ASIS Ottawa is a local chapter that works at creating professional development, security-related educational, training and networking opportunities for members, friends and colleagues. They work in collaboration with other regional chapters to promote security at the national level and globally.