2024-25 Catalog

Criminal Justice Institute - Academy Programs

  •     Correctional Officer (CIP # 0743010200)
  •     Law Enforcement Officer (CIP # 0743010700)
  •     Crossover: Corrections to Law Enforcement (CIP # 0743010702)
  •     Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer (CIP # 0743010711)

Career Certificates

Vocational Credit Certificates
Limited-Access

As the population of Florida increases, the need for qualified law enforcement and correctional officers must correspondingly increase to meet the need. Criminal justice is a demanding profession, requiring the individual to have a working knowledge of law and criminal offenses, knowledge of apprehension and detention techniques, effective verbal and written communication skills, and excellent public and interpersonal relations skills.

Admission to these programs is limited. Applicants much achieve at least a minimum score on the required entry assessment.

Successful completion of either the Correctional Officer or the Law Enforcement Officer program, as well as a passing grade on the State of Florida Certification Examination, is required for a career as a sworn officer in corrections or law enforcement regardless of any other criminal justice training or degree work which may have been completed.

Potential Careers

  • Police Officer
  • Deputy Sheriff
  • Correctional Officer
  • Law Enforcement Officer

Salary & Earnings Information

Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs - $46,816 per year
Corrections - $45,824 per year

Contacts

Your Career Program Advisor contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Advisor. 

Rob Pigman, Director 407-582-8212
rpigman@valenciacollege.edu

Steve Kelley Assistant Director 407-582-8254
skelley10@valenciacollege.edu

For more information, visit our website at: valenciacollege.edu/cji

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit

Once you have earned your certification as a Correctional Officer or Law Enforcement Officer through Valencia's Criminal Justice Institute, you may be eligible to receive credit toward Valencia's A.S. degree in Criminal Justice Technology. For more information, visit: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/alternative-award-of-credit-agreements.php

Correctional Officer

Career Certificate

This program is designed to prepare individuals as Correctional Officers. Program content includes the criminal justice system; weapons, basic law and legal procedures; correctional operations; communication; interpersonal skills; CPR and first aid, defensive tactics; investigation procedures; physical security considerations, and emergency preparedness techniques.

After completion of the program, students must take and pass a state examination to be certified in the State of Florida.

See the Admissions section of this catalog for admissions information and contact the Criminal Justice Institute office for admission requirements and procedures. Program expenses are given in the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Program Outcomes

  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic correctional officer skills and knowledge in high liability training areas.
  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic correctional officer knowledge in non-high liability training areas.
  • Students must complete the state mandated physical training requirements.
  • Students must practice professional responsibility in accordance with the Criminal Justice Institute’s regulations manual.
Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit(s)
CJK 0031FIRST AID FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICERS 401.333
CJK 0040CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIREARMS. 802.667
CJK 0051CMS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEFENSIVE TACTICS 802.667
CJK 0340OFFICER WELLNESS AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS 301.000
CJK 0300INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS 321.067
CJK 0305COMMUNICATIONS 401.333
CJK 0310OFFICER SAFETY 160.533
CJK 0315FACILITY AND EQUIPMENT 80.267
CJK 0320INTAKE AND RELEASE 180.600
CJK 0325SUPERVISING IN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY 401.333
CJK 0330SUPERVISING SPECIAL POPULATIONS 200.667
CJK 0335RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES 160.533
Total Credit Hours42014.000
Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit(s)
Other suggested course
CJD 0939CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXAM REVIEW 240.800

 

Law Enforcement Officer

Career Certificate

This program is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level positions in law enforcement, such as police officers and deputy sheriffs. Program content includes introduction to criminal justice, legal knowledge, patrol techniques, defensive tactics, vehicle operation, weapons, investigations, CPR and first aid, court system, communications and interpersonal skills.  

After completion of the program, students must take and pass a state examination to be certified in the State of Florida.

See the Admissions section of this catalog for admissions information and contact the Criminal Justice Institute office for admission requirements and procedures. Program expenses are given in the Financial Information section of this catalog. This program is eligible for Financial Aid.

Program Outcomes

  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic recruit law enforcement skills and knowledge in high liability training areas.
  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic recruit law enforcement knowledge in non-high-liability training areas.
  • Students must complete the state mandated physical training requirements.
  • Students must practice professional responsibility in accordance with the Criminal Justice Institute’s regulations manual.
Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit(s)
CJK 0020LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE OPERATIONS 481.600
CJK 0031FIRST AID FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICERS 401.333
CJK 0040CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIREARMS. 802.667
CJK 0051CMS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEFENSIVE TACTICS 802.667
CJK 0096CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICER PHYSICAL FITNESS 602.000
CJK 0002INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT 120.400
CJK 0018LEGAL 642.130
CJK 0021SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY 341.130
CJK 0072CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS 481.600
CJK 0073CRIMES INVOLVING PROPERTY AND SOCIETY 120.400
CJK 0079CRIME SCENE FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS 341.130
CJK 0400TRAFFIC INCIDENTS 120.400
CJK 0401TRAFFIC STOPS 240.800
CJK 0402TRAFFIC CRASH INVESTIGATIONS 301.000
CJK 0403DUI TRAFFIC STOPS 240.800
CJK 0093CRITICAL INCIDENTS 441.470
CJK 0421CONDUCTED ELECTRICAL WEAPON/DART FIRING STUN GUN 40.133
CJK 0016COMMUNICATION 240.800
CJK 0019INTERVIEWING AND REPORT WRITING 561.870
CJK 0063FUNDAMENTALS OF PATROL 401.330
Total Credit Hours77025.660
Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit(s)
Other suggested course:
CJD 0939CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXAM REVIEW 240.800

 

Crossover: Corrections to Law Enforcement

Career Certificate

This program is designed to prepare individuals who have completed the Correctional Officer program or who currently are certified as correctional officers for entry-level positions in law enforcement, such as police officers and deputy sheriffs. This cross-training program allows for flexibility in scheduling.

After completion of the program, students must take and pass a state examination to be certified in the State of Florida.

See the Admissions section of this catalog for admissions information and contact the Criminal Justice Institute office for admission requirements and procedures. Program expenses are given in the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Program Outcomes

  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic recruit law enforcement skills and knowledge in high-liability training areas.
  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic recruit law enforcement knowledge in non-high-liability training areas.
Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit(s)
CJK 0002INTRODUCTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT 120.400
CJK 0393CROSS-OVER PROGRAM UPDATES 80.800
CJK 0020LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE OPERATIONS 481.600
CJK 0016COMMUNICATION 240.800
CJK 0018LEGAL 642.133
CJK 0019INTERVIEWING AND REPORT WRITING 561.867
CJK 0063FUNDAMENTALS OF PATROL 401.333
CJK 0021SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY 341.133
CJK 0072CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS 481.600
CJK 0073CRIMES INVOLVING PROPERTY AND SOCIETY 120.400
CJK 0079CRIME SCENE FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS 341.133
CJK 0400TRAFFIC INCIDENTS 120.400
CJK 0401TRAFFIC STOPS 240.800
CJK 0402TRAFFIC CRASH INVESTIGATIONS 301.000
CJK 0403DUI TRAFFIC STOPS 240.800
CJK 0093CRITICAL INCIDENTS 441.467
CJK 0421CONDUCTED ELECTRICAL WEAPON/DART FIRING STUN GUN 40.133
Total Credit Hours51817.799
Course Title Contact Hours Vocational Credit(s)
Other suggested course:
CJD 0939CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXAM REVIEW 240.800

Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer

Career Certificate

This program is designed to prepare individuals who have completed the Law Enforcement Volunteer program for entry level volunteer positions as Law Enforcement Auxiliary Officers.

Program Outcomes

  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic recruit law enforcement skills and knowledge in high-liability training areas.
  • Students must demonstrate state mandated basic recruit auxiliary law enforcement knowledge in non-high-liability training areas.
Course Title Contact Hours
CJK 0023 4
CJK 0024 20
CJK 0025 12
CJK 0026 12
CJK 0027 24
CJK 0028 28
CJK 0029 8
CJK 0422 8
CJK 0031FIRST AID FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICERS 40
CJK 0040CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIREARMS. 80
CJK 0051CMS CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEFENSIVE TACTICS 80
CJK 0020LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE OPERATIONS 48

Notes:

The Criminal Justice Institute programs are offered at the Criminal Justice Institute located at 8600 Valencia College Lane (near the East Campus).

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.