The Youth Justice program at Douglas College enjoys an excellent reputation with employers, with many offering students practicum positions and full-time jobs. Graduates will be prepared for careers in a variety of social-service settings, including community and government agencies, school settings, treatment programs and justice system settings. The Youth Justice Diploma transfers into the third year of Douglas College’s Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care and the second year of Douglas’s Bachelor of Social Work. The diploma credits can also be used to fulfill some of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Criminology. The diploma also transfers to the third year of Royal Roads University’s Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies program, which can be completed in one year on campus, or two years online (with short on-campus residencies).

Meet the minimum age requirement of 19 years by November 1st of the first semester. Successfully participate in a formal orientation and selection process to determine suitability and readiness for training. Suitability is determined on the basis of an overview of an applicant's emotional stability, physical health, formal education, the ability to work in a team setting and life experience. Criminal Record Search (CRS) - Information to be provided by the Office of the Registrar. A medical declaration indicating a satisfactory level of physical and emotional health. The workload of the programs and the close contact with individuals in practical settings require students to be in good mental and physical health. Medical declarations are valid for one year. Successful completion of 60 hours paid or volunteer experience in an approved setting. Applicants are contacted by the Registrar's Office and advised of the program orientation meeting at which the dates for the screening process are confirmed. Attendance at both the orientation and screening process meetings is mandatory. General requirements: All applicants for admission to the College must satisfy at least ONE of the following criteria: BC secondary school graduation (or the equivalent in another school system); One course short of BC secondary school graduation; 19 years old by the end of the first month of the first semester of attendance; 17 years old on the first day of the first semester of attendance and has not been in school for at least one year; Completion of a certificate or equivalent from a special needs program and has been in school for 12 years. English Proficiency Requirement. All applicants to the College must demonstrate proficiency in English by providing proof of ONE of the following: Douglas College English Assessment; LPI - minimum essay score 4; TOEFL iBT - minimum score 83; IELTS - minimum overall band test score 6.5 (academic module only); EIKEN Practical English - minimum placement of Grade 1; CAEL - minimum overall and essay score of 60 (computer or paper based); Cambridge English CAE- minimum score 75 or "B"; Cambridge English CPE - minimum score 60 or "C"; Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 8 in each of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - minimum score of 56. Language School Pathway Options: Completion of the Advanced Level of the University Preparation program at EC English Language Centers (ECAD); Completion of Level A2 of the University Pathway program at Int’l Language School of Canada (ILSC); Completion of Level 16 (Pathway 3.3) of the Academic pathway program at Int’l Language Academy of Canada (ILAC); Completion of highest level course ELS level 112 with ELS Language School; Completion of VGC International College Advanced University Preparation course level 7 with 75% or higher; Completion of Kaplan International Centres Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Level C1. The full list of extra requirements is on the web-site. Note: Students who do not meet any of the above requirements may apply for admission as a "special student”. Students are urged to discuss their situation with the Registrar and/or a College counselor.