Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education

Education and Training for Public Safety Professionals

Valencia College School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education provides comprehensive education, training and resources for our communities' first responders—helping Central Florida maintain the finest in public safety services to protect its booming visitor and residential populations.

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Programs

Did you know the Criminal Justice A.S. degree, within the School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education, is the second largest program at Valencia College? We also have a robust Fire Science Technology A.S. degree, which is designed to meet the high level professional standards of the fire service community. To learn more about these degree programs, please visit the Criminal Justice A.S. and Fire Science Technology A.S. webpages.

The Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Administration provides students with essential management skills and real world knowledge needed for leadership in public safety organizations at the local, state or federal government levels as well as the private sector.

SACSCOC

The accreditation of all branch campuses is dependent on the continued institutional accreditation of Valencia College by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

One Education and Training Source.

Valencia College trains the next generation of public safety professionals in Criminal Justice, Fire Rescue and Safety and Security using state-of-the-art technology and the latest in simulation training. By offering programs for firefighters, law enforcement, corrections, security officers and homeland security under one umbrella, Valencia College will elevate and unify training standards across all divisions of public safety. This interdisciplinary approach promotes cross-sector training and collaboration between public safety agencies to help make our communities safer—both in times of crisis and in maintaining the peace.

Valencia College envisions at least a two-year degree for all first responders in Central Florida.

Through its “Two for All” initiative, state-certified professionals can receive college credits toward an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree. In addition to degrees, the School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education provides education and training to public safety professionals throughout all stages of their careers.

Locations

The School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education offers training and education at seven convenient locations.

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Programs

Emergency Medical Services

Valencia's EMS program, one of the most progressive in Florida, offers advanced training in out-of-hospital emergency medicine. It's designed to prepare students for State Board certification as emergency medical technicians and paramedics. As an EMT or paramedic, you'll play a crucial role in assessing injuries, administering advanced emergency medical care, and transporting injured or ill people to medical facilities. Our program, with its focus on theory, clinical applications, and hands-on field internships, ensures that you'll be equipped to provide the most extensive emergency life support services available. If you're adept at making split-second decisions and staying calm in a crisis, this could be the career for you.

Program Details

Criminal Justice

Valencia College's Criminal Justice Institute is one of the most recognized and respected criminal justice training centers in the state of Florida. The Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) certifies the institute to deliver all approved curricula for law enforcement, correctional, detention, and probation officers. Additionally, Valencia College offers the Criminal Justice Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, which offers an academic pathway to meet the needs of the criminal justice profession.

Program Details

Fire Rescue

Valencia College, in collaboration with fire service agencies throughout central Florida, has established the premier Fire Rescue Institute at the college’s School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education. The Fire Rescue Institutes' mission is to provide career pathways to meet the needs of fire service agencies throughout the region. Our programs infuse high quality and diverse learning and training opportunities to advance all professionals in the industry. The Bureau of Fire Standards and Training certifies the institute to deliver all approved training curricula for Florida’s Fire and Emergency Services community.

Program Details

Safety and Security

Still in development, the Safety and Security Institute will build upon programming already being offered by Valencia College and the School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education to provide professional and leadership training for private security officers and managers, as well as homeland security specialists.

Program Details

Experiential Learning Program

Earn credit for your law enforcement and corrections work experience. The Criminal Justice Experiential Learning program provides a path for active duty law enforcement and correctional officers in Florida to earn an accelerated Associate in Science (A.S.) degree through articulated credits for work-based learning and industry certifications.

Program Details

Equivalency of Training Program

The School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education will be offering the academy Equivalency of Training (EOT). The Equivalency of Training (EOT) process is for out-of-state officers, federal officers and previously certified Florida officers with a four year or more break-in-service pursuant to section 943.131(2a), Florida Statutes and Rule 11B-35.009(3) or (4), Florida Administrative Code or for persons who served as a member of the special operations forces pursuant to section 943.131(2)(b), F.S. and Rule 11B-35.009(5), F.A.C. The EOT allows a former officer or Special Forces member to be exempt from having to complete the full basic recruit academy.

Program Details