Overview
The part-time Forensic Investigation: Crime and Intelligence Analysis Advanced Certificate program trains you how to create tactical analysis, operational intelligence and strategic intelligence products from information collected during criminal investigations. It uses an intense learning environment to hone your research and analysis skills.
As criminals become more proficient, analysts must be able to use equally sophisticated analytical skills. The Crime and Intelligence Analysis (CIA) Advanced Certificate (Adv Cert) trains you to apply the tools and techniques required to solve complex investigations.
In addition to core technical training, you will also:
- Get access to a network of intelligence professionals
- Receive recognition from international professional associations
About the program
- 3 intakes: January, April, and September
- Offered evenings and weekends
- Up to 7 years to complete the program
- Fully synchronous program, with some classes offered on-campus
- Exciting and meaningful range of career opportunities after graduation
See the Program Details to learn more about what you can expect from CIA, and how you can prepare for a career as an intelligence analyst.
Who should complete the CIA Adv Cert?
This program might be for you if you:
- Have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences
- Thrive in a high-intensity learning environment
- Enjoy hands-on use of leading-edge crime and intelligence analysis tools (e.g. visual investigative analysis software, crime mapping and statistical software)
- Want to develop intelligence end-products that help drive front-line operations and deploy patrol resources more effectively
- Want to complete your own research project in a series of Capstone courses
If any of these sound like you, please check the Entrance Requirements to ensure you can apply and start your new analyst career!
What Crime and Intelligence Analysis grads can do
By earning your BCIT Advanced Certificate, you’ll be honing your CIA skills and gaining knowledge of various industry-recognized technologies, preparing you for positions in private industry, as well as in Municipal, Provincial and Federal law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies.
You’ll have excellent job opportunities because there is a growing requirement for professionals in both the private and public sectors. For example, have a look at where our grad, Steve Corbeil ended up working.
Learn more about job positions and future opportunities on the Graduating and Jobs page.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
This program is open to applications beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
Most courses may be taken for professional development purposes on an individual course basis without formally applying to the program. To request approval to take a course for professional development, email the Program Assistant identifying which course you'd like to take and attach your current resume along with a brief explanation of how it pertains to your occupation or area of studies.
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements to be accepted.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Contact the Program Assistant for a pre-entry assessment.
You must upload an approved pre-entry assessment from the program area to your online application.
The following documents will be required for your pre-assessment:
- Resume
- Completed and signed applicant waiver form from the program area
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Completion of a minimum of 60.0 credits of courses from one or more recognized post-secondary institutions prior to admission including:
- 6.0 credits from outside of core academic discipline [PDF]
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Contact your local police department to obtain the appropriate forms - Letter for police department [PDF]
- Must be issued within one year of your application date
- The outcome of the CRC may influence your acceptability for this program
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
Recommended for success
- Attend an information session prior to applying for this program. For more information and to register for an information session visit the Forensics website.
International applicants
Blended delivery
This program is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Online delivery
This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than a study permit. International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) lets student use knowledge and skills learned outside recognized programs to gain exemption for particular courses in the program. Contact the Program Assistant for details.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| 1. Required Foundation Courses: (12.0 credits) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| FSCT 8431 | Applied Research Methods & Statistics in Crime Analysis | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8432 | Reasoning for Crime and Intelligence Analysis | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8434 | Crime Mapping | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8436 | Introduction to Crime and Intelligence Analysis | 3.0 | |
| 2. Required Core Specialty Courses: (12.0 credits) | Credits | ||
| FSCT 8430 | Organized Crime Analysis | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8481 | Major Crimes Analysis | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8482 | National Security Analysis | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8486 | Strategic Analysis | 3.0 | |
| 3. Complete 6.0 credits from the following Elective Specialty Courses: | Credits | ||
| FSCT 7240 | Essentials of Cyber Crime | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8438 | Data Analytics and Visualization | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8439 | Open Source Data Analytics | 3.0 | |
| FSCT 8520 | Social Media and Open-Source Investigative Techniques | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 30.0 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
After graduating, you’ll be able to:
- Align intelligence analysis with the tactical, operational and strategic mandates of an organization
- Apply methodologies associated with each of the Intelligence cycle stages to all-source data (e.g., law enforcement, opensource national security, and financial information) for the benefit of organizational mandates
- Create, implement and analyze collection plans and analysis plans relating to threat assessments
- Design and create data sets and develop information processing procedures for subsequent qualitative and quantitative analysis
- Collate, analyze and disseminate geographic data to map activities that fall under the mandates of government agencies, crown corporations, and private sector
- Synthesize all-source information using a variety of methodologies to identify patterns, series and trends for investigative and intelligence purposes
Program length
Students work through their chosen curriculum at their own pace, therefore, the total length required to finish the program can vary. At six credits per term, the Advanced Certificate Program can take five terms to complete.
Grading
Depending on the course learning outcomes, students will be graded on a combination of the following:
- Participation in in-class exercises
- Participation in and completion of case studies
- Participation in discussion forums
- Submission of completed projects
- Submission of completed assignments
- Quizzes
- Mid-term and final examinations
The minimum passing grade for each course is 60%.
Additional program options
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
The Crime and Intelligence Analysis Advanced Certificate credential is instructed by a team of experienced practitioners and experts using leading-edge technology and advanced methods. The program takes advantage of the best policing has to offer, and through extensive coursework, immerses students in challenging problem-based scenarios. The Advanced Certificate is intended to provide the most current and applicable analysis training available, and to help students develop the skills necessary to advance in the profession.
The Advanced Certificate courses will be delivered in an online setting and where appropriate will utilize the software for assignments that require industry standard technologies.
Forensic Science and Technology offers flexible scheduling, which is determined by student demand and part-time instructor availability. Courses have a variety of formats, running evenings and/or weekends, consecutive days, or a combination of both.
Program location
Courses may be offered at the following locations:
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Continue your education
Students in the Advanced Certificate may go on to pursue the Bachelor of Technology in Forensic Investigation (Crime and Intelligence Analysis option) only if they meet the requirements for entrance into the Bachelor of Technology program. For further information, please visit our Crime and Intelligence Analysis Bachelor of Technology program page, or contact the department at 604-412-7436.Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
Intelligence analysts are employed by the military and law enforcement agencies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. They also work for federal and provincial ministries whose mandates involve the environment, business, taxation and immigration. Analysts may be called upon to provide a variety of analytical services and products. Crime analysts are employed by municipal police departments and RCMP detachments in support of front-line policing efforts. Crime and intelligence analysis is a rapidly growing branch within law enforcement agencies and in the private sector, a trend that is expected to continue in the foreseeable future.
Some position titles (in law enforcement) include:
- Crime Analyst
- Intelligence Analyst
- Major Crimes Analyst
- National Security Analyst
- Strategic Intelligence Analyst
- Research Analyst
- Open Source Analyst
Read about a Forensics grad working in this important field.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Professional associations
There are several professional associations that offer professional development courses and related certification, including the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA), the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA), the International Association of Law Enforcement Planners (IALEP), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). Both IALEIA and IACA sponsor periodic training sessions and provide train-the-trainer workshops. IALEP hosts a one-week course on planning, which includes topics ranging from project management to capital planning and facilities planning. ACFE offers a comprehensive range of courses in both foundation and advanced topics relating to fraud examination.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Ken Schulz, Program Head
Ken completed his M.A. (Criminology) at Simon Fraser University in 1995. Since then, he has worked as an analyst with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He has worked as a Tactical Analyst on a variety of investigations under the provincial and federal mandates. He presently works in the field of Strategic Intelligence Analysis. He has been involved with the FSCT CIA programs from their inception.
email: kschulz8@bcit.ca
Magda Marczak, Faculty
Magda Marczak has been a part time instructor at BCIT since 2015, delivering FSCT 8436 – Introduction to Crime and Intelligence Analysis. Magda holds a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and BCIT Advanced Certificate in Forensic Investigation: Crime and Intelligence Analysis. Magda began her career in policing in 2004 with the Vancouver Police Department, and became one of the first civilian analysts in the organization. In 2008, Magda joined the Delta Police Department where she continued to develop as an analyst. In 2014, Magda became the manager in charge of the Surrey Crime Analysis Section, where she is currently overseeing a team of 15 analysts. In addition, Magda manages eight electronic file administrators who prepare disclosure packages, and one digital extraction technician.
In her spare time, Magda enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Cyril Sweetville, Faculty
Cyril Sweetville has 20 years of law enforcement and regulatory experience. Cyril has worked as a Customs Inspector, RCMP Police Officer, and police support staff for the RCMP and Abbotsford Police, as well as a Licencing Officer for DFO. Cyril has experience in frontline policing in the lower mainland and in northern Canada, in federal policing, as well as in national security and close protection. Cyril brings additional subject matter expertise from his work as a facilitator in the RCMP terrorism awareness program, and as instructor on the RCMP VIP close protection driving program.He holds Bachelors degrees in Religious Studies and Political Studies; a Postgraduate Certificate in Policing, Intelligence, and Counterterrorism; and has recently completed his Master’s Degree in Homeland Security.
Cyril is currently an instructor in the National Security analysis course, and has also previously guest lectured in this subject matter at BCIT.
Bob Young, Faculty
Bob Young brings a wealth of practical experience, having worked for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) for 33 years as an intelligence officer across Canada and overseas, until recently retiring as the Regional Director General for BC and Yukon. Bob has also testified numerous times for CSIS and has continued doing so since retiring.Bob has degrees in Political Science, International Affairs and Law.
As Co-Instructor for the National Security Analysis course, Bob lectures on the Canadian national security community, terrorism, espionage, foreign interference, the insider threat, and ethics and intelligence, while providing Canadian examples and related challenges. During his classes, Bob encourages questions and class discussion in an effort to develop critical thinking skills (and to hopefully keep students awake).
Edwin Yong, Program Assistant
Contact Us
Ken Schulz – Program Head
email: kschulz8@bcit.ca
Patrick Neal – Program Coordinator
Edwin Yong – Program Assistant
email: BCIT_Forensics@bcit.ca
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