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.
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 service 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:
- Veterans Educational Benefits for students who are entitled to Veteran's benefits.
- Students are encouraged to apply for EFSC Scholarships which could cover additional living expenses.
- If you have a Florida Pre-Paid College Plan, that can be used to pay for the program.
- Florida Bright Futures can be used for the program.
Corrections Academy Training Details
Choose a category in the accordion for specific information.
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.
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.
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.
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.