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Correctional Officer - Certificate Program

The Corrections Academy is designed to prepare graduates to work as Correctional Officers employed by prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities.

Officers provide care, custody, and supervision for incarcerated individuals to maintain a safe and secure environment. Officers maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assault and escapes, plus maintain order within the institution and enforce rules and regulations.

Successful completion of the Corrections Academy enables the student to sit for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Officer Certification Examination for Corrections.

Background Screening is Required to apply

The Corrections Academy is a disciplined, paramilitary program for students who pass background screening and who are at least 18 years old with a high school diploma. Training normally takes place over a 13-week session, with exact start dates announced when a minimum number of applications have been received.

EFSC's Corrections Academy partners with the Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center (BPTC) to select students for Academy classes, as explained in the How to Apply section below.

Correctional Officer - Certificate Program

Program Overview

Certificate Type
Career & Technical Certificate (CTC)
Delivery Method
On-Campus
Location
Melbourne
Total Clock Hours
420
Academic Community
Public Safety
Contact Information
Melissa Walker, Advisor
Melbourne Campus
Building 8, Room 201-B
walkerme@easternflorida.edu
321-433-5637

It is common for a local sponsoring agency, such as the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, to pay program costs for students who have committed to a position with the sponsoring agency. Students interested in this program should discuss this sponsorship option with the advisor before they begin the screening and selection process.

Correctional Officer CTC COURSE CURRICULUM

Student academic learning during the 420 clock-hour program is conducted in air-conditioned classrooms. Physical Fitness Training is conducted in an air-conditioned gym or in an outside environment. Students will be required to fully participate in all training activities and assessments. The class schedule is Monday - Thursday from 7am- 6pm. Breaks are provided throughout the day.

How to Apply for Corrections Academy Screening

The Brevard Police Testing Center (BPTC) offers year-round screening for the EFSC Corrections Academy, but class start dates are not finalized until a minimum number of applicants have been received. The BPTC performs all screening and testing verification. Academy applicants must first take the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) for Corrections. They must also pass the Physical Abilities Test and satisfy a background check.

Interested students should contact the program advisor before they start this screening process, especially if they have a sponsoring organization which is assisting with the background screening process.

Review the BPTC Screening & Testing Process

That BPTC page includes all information needed to apply, including information about when students should submit the EFSC General Admissions application if they are not already an EFSC student.

If you are already working as a Law Enforcement Officer, you may be eligible for EFSC's Crossover certificate program which can lead to certification as a Correctional Officer.

Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility

Due to the shorter length of the 420-clock-hour program, the Correctional Officer CTC is NOT eligible for Federal financial aid such as Pell Grants. The estimated expenses for the program for a Florida resident total about $2,939.71.

If you are sponsored, the agency will conduct your background investigation and provide you with paid training (the agency normally pays your tuition, fees, uniforms, and other expenses, except for the EFSC application, CJBAT and graduation fees, parking permit, and medical exam).

Applicants can explore these funding options:

Corrections Academy Training Details

Choose a category in the accordion for specific information.

Officer Wellness and Physical Training

Training is conducted in an air-conditioned gym or in an outside environment. Students will be required to fully participate in all Physical Fitness Training activities and assessments.

Students will participate in conditioning exercises to enhance their performance in the following assessment areas: 1½ mile run, 300 meter sprint, vertical jump, sit-ups and push-ups.

Students will be subject to a rigorous physically demanding training program to include, but not limited to: Long Distance Running, Short Distance Speed Running, Stretching, Crawling, Jumping, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Prone Position, Weightlifting, Strength Training, Endurance Training, Speed Training, and Rapid Body Movements.This is a 30-hour course.

Defensive Tactics

Training is conducted in air-conditioned mat rooms. Breaks are provided throughout the day.

Students are required to stand for prolonged periods of time. Training techniques are practiced and repeated for long periods of time.

Warm-up exercises and cardiovascular conditioning exercises are performed throughout the day. Students will be subject to, but not limited to: Intense Body Movements, Rapid Evasive Movements, Pressure Point Pain Compliance, Joint Locks, Falling Techniques, Crawling, Jumping, Walking, Running, Standing, Kneeling, Prone Position, Body Tackles, Impact Weapons Training, Hand to Hand Combat Impacts, and experience the effects of chemical agent. This is an 80-hour course. You must be able to fully participate in this course per F.A.C. 11B-35.

Firearms Training

Training is conducted in an outside environment in both day and nighttime hours. Weather conditions may be hot and humid. Breaks are provided throughout the day.

Students will be trained to operate firearm (handgun/semi automatic pistol/shotgun/carbine rifle) from the standing, kneeling and prone positions during day and nighttime hours. Students are required to stand for prolonged periods of time. This is an 80-hour course.

First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers

Training is conducted in air-conditioned classrooms. Breaks are provided throughout the day.

Students will demonstrate: Airway Care - Adult/Child/Infant; CPR - One and two person Adult, CPR Child/Infant; Patient Assessment; Treating for Shock, Bleeding, Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Injuries, Moving Patients, and Spinal Cord Injuries. This is a 40-hour course.

Related Public Safety Programs

As you explore the Corrections Academy training, here are some other programs you might be interested in. Each of these programs will list an academic advisor who can help with planning.