Technical Certificate
Contact Information: Program Office 615-916-5875, Southeast Campus, Room 1500, Program Site, E-mail: lawenforcement@nscc.edu

The Law Enforcement program prepares individuals for careers in police administration. Graduates of the degree program will have the skills and knowledge to seek employment in the criminal justice field, including law enforcement, private security, and crime scene investigation. The program provides the education and training needed for entry-level personnel and advancement opportunities for those presently employed in the criminal justice field.

The Law Enforcement Technical Certificate can also be earned by successful completion of the Police Science Academy.

This 15-week program fulfills all the training goals of a certified law enforcement academy. Students receive 428 hours of intense police training. All instruction is provided by current police instructors or experts in the police field. Individuals with ambitions to become a Law Enforcement Officer or anyone currently serving in a security capacity will benefit from the hands-on training.

Successful completion of this program will earn the student 24 semester hours which can be applied toward an A.A.S. degree in Law Enforcement. All courses are corequisite. Candidates for the Academy are advised to prepare themselves physically prior to beginning classes. Certain physical standards must be met in order to graduate. A medical evaluation is mandatory prior to entering the program. All instructional and classroom materials are provided. Expenses will include tuition, a mandated uniform, a firearm plus ammunition, and physical training attire.

Graduates of the program should be able to:

• Function completely as entry-level law enforcement personnel;
• Apply critical thinking skills in solving community problems, generating community-oriented solutions;
• Conduct criminal investigations and apply criminal law and procedures; and
• Demonstrate a knowledge of officer survival, defensive tactics, and proper use of firearms.

Career Opportunities

• Police Officer
• Sheriff’s Deputy
• Highway Patrolman
• Private Investigator
• Crime Scene Technician
• Private Security Officer

Transfer/Advising

The Technical Certificate is designed to prepare a student for employment upon graduation. Some universities, at their discretion, accept some technical courses for transfer. A student who plans to transfer to a university should consult his/her advisor and the receiving university about transfer and articulation policies. Failure to do so could result in loss of transfer credits.