A correctional officer opening a cell with keys.

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 be accepted

Per Florida law, students must meet certain minimum eligibility criteria to attend the Corrections Academy. EFSC partners with the Brevard Police Testing and Selection Center (BPTC) to screen applicants. They offer year-round screening, with the cost covered by the EFSC Foundation and a state grant available on a first-come, first-service basis to pay for tuition and other expenses for students with Florida residency eligibility.

Class start dates are not finalized until a minimum number of applicants have been received. See 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

Correctional Officer CTC COURSE CURRICULUM

The Corrections Academy is a disciplined, paramilitary program. 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. Class is scheduled for 40 hours per week, with breaks provided throughout the day. The program runs for about 13 weeks, with exact start dates announced when a minimum number of applications have been received.

How to Apply for the Corrections Academy

EFSC’s Correctional Officer CTC is a limited-access certificate program with a specialized application process that includes mandatory meetings for applicants. Review and follow the steps below. 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.

Apply for General EFSC Admission

Complete and properly submit the application for general admission to Eastern Florida State College. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee for admission that must be submitted at the time of application to the college.

EFSC Online General Application

Complete all general admissions requirements with the main EFSC Admissions office.

Please note that application processing can take up to 14 days due to the current volume of applications. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.

NOTE: This step pertains ONLY to those students who are not currently enrolled with the college.

If you’re a returning/readmit student who applied to EFSC one or more years ago and have not completed a course in the past year, you must re-apply through the online application and will not be charged the general EFSC application fee.

Attend the Mandatory Intake Meeting

Public Safety staff will contact applicants for each upcoming class with an invitation to attend a mandatory Intake Meeting. The invitation will contain the date, time, location and what to bring with you.

It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor their EFSC Titan student email Inbox and Spam folder to check for information about the Intake Meeting. Applicants must RSVP to their meeting invitation.

During this meeting, applicants will receive a detailed information packet, with an explanation about the program, plus:

  • CJBAT Corrections Entrance Test information
  • Background screening process details
  • How to comply with the requirement for a physical exam
Complete the Testing and Background Screening Process

Testing and Background Screening details will be provided at the Mandatory Intake Meeting. Here are basic details:

Entrance Test

Per the State of Florida, all applicants must pass the Criminal Justice Basic Abilities Test (CJBAT) for Corrections. The CJBAT, developed by Industrial/Organizational Solutions (IOS), Inc., measures the defined minimum competencies in three separately-timed sections as follows: Section I - behavioral attributes; Section II - memorization; and Section III – written comprehension, written expression, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning.

In total, there are 97 questions on the CJBAT, with 1½ hours (90 minutes) allowed to complete the exam. The CJBAT for Corrections will be administered by Brevard Police Testing Center. Details and instructions on how to register to for the exam will be provided at the Intake Meeting. 

Background Screening

Per the state of Florida, applicants must meet minimum requirements to attend the Academy. To meet these minimum standards, applicants will be required to be fingerprinted and provide various documents to Brevard Police Testing Center. Details will be provided at the Intake Meeting:

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be a high school graduate or its “equivalent” GED.
  • Have not have been convicted of any felony or of a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement.
  • Have not received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
  • Have a good moral character as determined by a background investigation under procedures established by the commission.
  • Submit to a FCIC/NCIC fingerprint background check.
  • Have passed the CJBAT for Corrections.
  • Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician, physical assistant, or certified advanced registered nurse.
Attend the Mandatory Orientation & Await Final Acceptance

Public Safety staff will contact applicants for each upcoming class with an invitation to attend a Mandatory Academy Orientation Meeting.

It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor their EFSC Titan student email Inbox and Spam folder to check for information about the Academy Orientation.

The invitation will include the date, time, and location and students must RSVP.

Final Acceptance into the Academy is based on the results of the CJBAT Corrections test, physical exam, background screening/fingerprint check, and the completion of EFSC Admissions requirements. 

Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility

The EFSC Foundation covers the $150 background screening and $39 CJBAT testing fee, plus a state grant will pay most expenses such as tuition, textbooks, and uniforms for accepted students who qualify for Florida residency or a residency waiver on a first-come, first-serve basis. The estimated expenses for the program for a Florida resident total about $2,500, with the majority of that covered by the state grant for eligible students.

The funding and low cost for students will be covered at the mandatory intake meeting, with a financial aid specialist in attendance.

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. However, applicants can also explore these additional 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.