Public Safety (BA in Combination)

Want to make a difference in your community? Wilfrid Laurier University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public Safety, in combination with another BA from Laurier, allows you to customize your Public Safety degree with two majors according to your academic and career goals. Some popular second majors include Psychology, Criminology, Game Design or Health Studies.

This program offers unparalleled flexibility with a hybrid schedule of online and on-campus courses that balances your academic goals with your personal commitments. Choose one of our popular program pairings, or curate a unique combination of your own. 

You’ll learn from passionate professors with real-world experience and develop the critical thinking skills essential for any public safety-related career, including careers in public health, mental health, government and law enforcement.

students chat in classroom

Program Details

Discover what makes this Laurier program unique and how you’ll gain real-world experience.

Why Should I Choose Public Safety?

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Customize Your Degree
    Earn a double major by combining our Public Safety degree with a second pairable major. Our practical courses pair seamlessly with courses such as criminology, psychology and sociology to provide a well-rounded learning approach. Choose a minor or option to compliment your learning and edge out competition in the job market.
  • Hybrid Learning Flexibility
    Combine your in-person courses on campus with our asynchronous online offerings to customize a schedule that fits with your lifestyle.
  • Content that Really Matters
    Analyze ethical considerations and other consequences of action or inaction in public safety situations. Demonstrate intercultural competence and sensitivity and apply these skills when working with marginalized populations.

How Will I Gain Real-World Experience?

Here are just a few ways our students apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree:

  • Your Laurier Community
    Meet other students with similar interests by joining an on-campus club or association such as the Double Degrees Club, Criminology Students' Association, or Foot Patrol/Hawk Walk in Brantford or Waterloo.
  • State-of-the-Art Security Software
    Construct crime maps, disaster maps and municipal emergency incident maps using online GIS mapping software.
  • Data Analysis
    Learn how to analyze social media data using advanced analytics and data mining platforms. Explore techniques for identifying trends and detecting emerging issues - turning raw, structured and unstructured data into actionable insights that support public safety and community outreach.

Courses and Program Enhancements

Explore what you'll study and how you can enhance your degree to fit your academic and career goals.

What Courses Will I Take?

Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.

How Will I Enhance My Degree?

Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term), January (winter term) or May (spring term)

Career Options

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you're going.

What Jobs Can I Get After Graduation?

Our Public Safety (BA) graduates go on to a wide range of rewarding careers.

Here are just a few examples:

  • crime analyst
  • mental health worker
  • communications professional
  • public health officer
  • emergency management planner
  • cybersecurity/fraud investigator
  • intelligence analyst
  • law enforcement personnel
  • urban planner

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

As a Laurier alum, you'll have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Tuition and Costs

What are the Tuition Fees and Costs for Human and Social Sciences at Laurier?

Below is a breakdown of tuition fees and expenses for Laurier Human and Social Sciences (HSS) students for one year (or two terms) studying full time. Fees are based on 2026/27 rates and are subject to increase. All fees are shown in Canadian dollars.

Tuition Fees for HSS Students
Fee Type Domestic Students International Students
Tuition $6,180 $36,624
Student Fees $1,830 $2,778
Textbook Fees $1,500 $1,500

See a full breakdown of your first-year expenses.

Scholarships and Bursaries

When you apply to Laurier you’ll be automatically assessed for entrance scholarships (based on your final admission average) and for in-course scholarships in your upper years (based on your Laurier GPA from the previous academic year). We also offer more than 700 competitive scholarships and awards, which require separate applications and may be awarded throughout the academic year.

Additional Financial Support

  • Get information and advice on eligibility for government assistance (like OSAP) from our Financial Aid office.
  • Apply for bursaries to receive additional support based on financial need and academic performance.
  • Learn money management skills through courses, workshops and financial coaching.
  • Visit the Career Centre for support finding part-time job opportunities.

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post‑graduate studies in 2025

 

Laurier students engaged in hands‑on learning in 2025/26

 

Laurier is among the top 7 percent in the Center for World University Rankings 2026

Program Location

The program you choose to combine with your online Public Safety degree will determine whether, in addition to your online classes, you will also attend classes on one of our campuses.

For example:

  • If you choose to combine your online major in Public Safety with Criminology, you will attend classes for the latter on our Brantford campus.
  • If you choose to combine your online major in Public Safety with Communications, you will attend classes for the latter on our Waterloo campus.
To determine whether your program will entirely be online or whether you will also attend classes on campus, visit the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program page of interest.

students work together on laptops on campus

How Will I Learn in This Program?

You’ll attend some scheduled classes in a physical classroom and participate in some online. Some online components may be live at scheduled times (virtual synchronous), while others can be completed independently (virtual asynchronous). When you register for classes each term, you’ll choose from online and in-person course options.

While part of the program is delivered online, some courses may require in-person exams, either on campus or at an approved testing location near your home.

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Get in Touch

Have questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548‑889‑8888 or see all contact information.


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Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?