Overview
Offered at the Augusta Campus.
| Entrance Dates: |
Fall and Spring |
| Length of Program: |
Two Terms |
| Credit Hours Required for Graduation: |
60 |
Program Description: The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Police Studies is a highly applied program designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as sworn law enforcement officers. Blending classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training, the curriculum provides a strong foundation in policing principles, criminal law, ethics, and community engagement while developing practical skills that are immediately transferable to the field. Students gain real-world experience through scenario-based exercises, role-playing, and simulated incidents that mirror the challenges faced by today's officers. Core areas of study include patrol operations, criminal investigations, report writing, use-of-force decision-making, and officer wellness. The program also emphasizes communication, problem-solving, cultural awareness, and crisis intervention-competencies essential to modern policing. Aligned with current law enforcement standards and supported by partnerships with local police agencies, the Police Studies AAS ensures graduates are career-ready with both the knowledge and the applied skills to succeed on the job and grow as professionals in the field of law enforcement.
Employment Opportunities:
Credentialing (Required or Optional):
Curriculum Outline
General Core, 15 credits
| ENGL 1101 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC | 3 |
XXXX XXXX
| SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE AREA II* | 3 |
| (CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING): | |
| MATH 1100 | QUANTITATIVE SKILLS AND REASONING | 3 |
| MATH 1101 | MATHEMATICAL MODELING | 3 |
| MATH 1103 | QUANTITATIVE SKILLS AND REASONING | 3 |
| MATH 1111 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA | 3 |
| AND | |
XXXX XXXX
| HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS AREA IV* | 3 |
XXXX XXXX
| GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE* | 3 |
Occupational Courses, 45 credits
ADA Compliance: Training requires the regular sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing, running, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling and involves lifting, carrying, pushing ,and pulling moderately heavy materials. Other training requires sensory ability to perceive and discriminate color or shades of color, sounds, odor, depth, texture, visual cues or signals, and the ability to communicate orally.
Notes:
- Admissions Criteria to the Peace Officers Training Academy:
18 years of age
High school transcript or GED transcript
College transcripts, if applicable
Proof of citizenship
ACCUPLACER test
Successfully complete background investigation
- Students that meet the entrance requirements to the College are provisionally admitted to the Basic Law Enforcement, TCC pending POST approval.
- The Academy will contact eligible applicants to further assist with the applicant process. Provisionally accepted applicants will need to complete the following:
POST Application for certification
Background Check
Fingerprints
Physical Exam
Driver History
Oral Interview
Psychological Testing
Physical Ability Testing
The Academy sends the applicant’s completed packet to The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council for final processing.
- A student that is dismissed from the Academy because of academic or performance examination failure must complete an individualized remedial program assigned by the academy director before reapplying for admission into the program. After the second unsuccessful attempt to complete the coursework, the student will not be allowed to re-enter the Basic Law Enforcement TCC.
- Employers may require a credit check, a background check, a polygraph test, a drug screen, etc., for employment in field.
Disclaimer: Students desiring to be employed in the public protection sector upon graduation must meet the requirements established by Georgia Code 35-8-8 and POST Rules 464-3-01 through 464-3-03.