Criminal Justice Institute
Launch Your Career in Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Institute at Palm Beach State College delivers comprehensive education, training, and credentialing pathways for individuals pursuing careers in law enforcement, corrections, public safety, and related fields. Through a blend of practical skills development and academic coursework, the Institute prepares students to meet professional standards and certification requirements in Florida. Whether you’re starting your journey toward a sworn officer role or advancing your career with specialized training, the Institute’s offerings are designed to equip you with the knowledge and qualifications sought by public safety employers.
Training for Current/Returning Law Enforcement & Corrections Officers
The Criminal Justice Institute offers advanced and specialized training for veteran law enforcement officers and Exemption from Training (EFT) for previous Florida or out-of-state law enforcement officers. The Advanced and Specialized Courses are Limited Access courses for Florida-certified Law Enforcement and/or Corrections officers for Mandatory Retraining or Salary Incentive credit.
Registration MUST be through your agency training department or coordinator with Training Authorizations for approval. Priority is given to Region XII officers. Out-of-region officers will be put on a waiting list and will be added to the class if space is available. All training held at the Lake Worth campus, unless otherwise noted.
Attendees use Eventbrite to register for individual courses.
For more information on EFT registration, email Phil Berlingo at berlingp@pbsc.edu or call 561-868-3378.
Certificates
Overview
The Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer CCP prepares students as entry level Auxiliary officers in the State of Florida. This program is sometimes referred to as Reserve Law Enforcement Officers.
Coursework will include introduction to law enforcement, legal concepts, patrol and professional communications, interactions in a diverse community, calls for service and arrest procedures, traffic stops and crash investigation, crime scene to courtroom procedures as well as training and proficiency demonstration in dart firing stun gun, firearms, defensive tactics, vehicle operations and first aid.
Corrections Officer CCP
The Corrections Basic Recruit Training prepares students as entry level corrections officers in the State of Florida. Practical skills and simulated activities compliment the classroom instruction.
The Criminal Justice Academy offers this course meeting all requirements established by Palm Beach State College, the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and the Region XII Training Council.
Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE). This minimum standards class is regulated by Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code and is a highly structured and disciplined program with special rules, policies and procedures.
Law Enforcement Officer CCP
The Criminal Justice Academy is a limited access program governed by Palm Beach State,
Region XII Justice Training Council and the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and
Training Commission.
The Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Training prepares students as entry-level law enforcement
officers in the State of Florida.
Practical skills and simulated activities complement the classroom instruction. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Certification Examination.
This minimum standards class is regulated by Florida statutes and is a highly structured and disciplined program with special rules, policies and procedures.
Overview
The Criminal Justice Academy is a limited access program governed by Palm Beach State, Region XII Justice Training Council and the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. The Correctional Officer Cross-Over Training to Florida Law Enforcement prepares students as entry-level law enforcement officers in the State of Florida.
Practical skills and simulated activities complement the classroom instruction. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Certification Examination.
This minimum class standards is regulated by Florida statutes and is a highly structured and disciplined program with special rules, policies and procedures.
Overview
The Criminal Justice Institute (CJI) offers this course meeting all requirements established
by Palm Beach State College, the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission
and the Region XII Training Council.
The Law Enforcement Officer Cross-Over to Correctional Officer prepares currently
certified Law Enforcement Officers to become certified Correctional Officers in the
State of Florida. Practical skills and simulated activities complement the classroom
instruction. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE). This
minimum standards class is regulated by Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative
Code and is a highly structured and disciplined program with special rules, policies
and procedures.
Overview
Course content includes standard telecommunication operating procedures for police, fire and emergency medical services. This course is the certification course for all Public Safety Telecommunicators.
The Palm Beach State College 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Academy meets or exceeds the State of Florida Department of Health requirements for certifying students, and preparing them to succeed at the State Exam. Our faculty members serve on numerous State and National boards and committees, ensuring the information we teach is the most current and relevant to today's issues in the emergency 9-1-1 profession.
As a student in this 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator Academy, you will be exposed to many facets of emergency public safety services. Many of the classes include the same information that is taught to Police, Fire, and Rescue recruits.
Degrees
Overview
Criminal Justice includes the study of crime, the law and the justice system. Job opportunities are available in a wide variety of fields and include federal, state and local government as well as the private sector.
Palm Beach State College's Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree track is designed for the student who plans to transfer to a Florida public university or state college as a junior to complete a bachelor's degree.
Overview
* This is a controlled access program requiring successful completion of a clean drug test and a clear background check before starting core classes each Fall. Consult with the designated Public Safety Advisor for details on when and how to complete these requirements. *
This program will prepare the student to operate behind the yellow crime scene tape.
Crime scene technologists locate, collect, and identify physical evidence used to
solve crimes. The student will learn how to properly collect and preserve physical
evidence, how to photograph crime scenes and how to reconstruct crime scenes and vehicle
accidents. Course content includes crime scene photography, latent fingerprint development, crime
scene safety and biological evidence.
Overview
Palm Beach State College offers an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice Technology with two concentration options: General (Non-Sworn) for students pursuing a criminal justice degree who are not sworn officers, and Law Enforcement Officer for correctional and law enforcement professionals seeking career advancement.
Two Concentrations:
- General (Non-Sworn): This degree program is for students wanting a degree in Criminal Justice Technology, but are not sworn officers. It is available in person or 100% online. Course content includes police administration, criminal law, probation & parole, and criminal investigation. | Pathway Map
- Law Enforcement Officer: An Associate's degree in Criminal Justice Technology will prepare the student for a career in the Criminal Justice system. It is a limited access program for the Criminal Justice Academy student (Corrections and Law Enforcement certificate program students) and/or the correction and law enforcement officer who wishes to advance in his or her career. | Pathway Map
