School of Public Safety, Legal Studies, and Education
Do you want to serve and protect your community? Teach the next generation of students? Assist with legal processes? Your role as a public service professional is as versatile as any job can be.
To Serve and Protect…and Teach
Whether it’s providing order or enforcing laws, playing an important role in the legal system, or helping someone in need, with a career in law or public safety, you can save lives.
A more security-conscious society and population growth will contribute to the increasing demand for police services. Service to the community also includes teaching, an in-demand profession throughout the country.
Employment for paralegals is projected to grow much faster than average, as employers try to reduce costs and increase efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers.
Job Outlook
With over 70 million visitors to the Central Florida area each year, the need for public safety and law enforcement professionals is critical. The local legal industry is booming as well, due in part to the presence of a federal courthouse in Orlando. In May 2024, there were more than 5,000 teacher job vacancies that need to be filled, and vacancies at this level have been consistent in recent years.
Get help with job search strategies, employment readiness, interviewing and more at one of our four on-campus Career Centers.
Career Certificate Programs
Correctional Officer
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.
Crossover: Corrections to Law Enforcement
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.
Fire Fighter (Minimum Standards)
This program provides both practical applications and an orientation to the fire service. This course includes many functions required of a fire fighter. Upon completion of the program and a written state certification examination, the student will receive a Certificate of Competency from the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training as a Firefighter I.
Law Enforcement Officer
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.
Associate in Arts Degree Pathway
The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at Valencia College is designed for students who plan to transfer to another institution as a junior to complete a bachelor’s degree. As part of the A.A. program, students can choose the Public Safety Administration pathway.
Associate in Science Degree Programs
Criminal Justice
This program prepares you for a variety of careers within the criminal justice field. You’ll learn about the history and philosophy of criminal justice; the management and operation of criminal justice agencies; the social, psychological and cultural aspects of society; and the laws impacting criminal justice functions. With this degree, you will be prepared to do the following tasks:
- Investigate complaints, respond to traffic emergencies, drive patrol vehicle, detect crimes, arrest violators and issue citations
- Oversee individuals in jails and prisons
Potential Careers:
- Crime Analyst
- Criminal Justice Administrator
- Detective and Investigator
- Loss Prevention Specialist
Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Academy Track
Valencia College has one of the most recognized criminal justice academy programs in the state and offers certified training programs that are required in order to become sworn correctional or law enforcement officers in Florida. Graduates will be awarded an A.S. degree as well as a Law Enforcement career certificate and will possess the following skills:
- Identify, collect and preserve evidence
- Interview and interrogate persons of interest
- Arrest violators and write incident reports
- Investigate complaints, assist with traffic accidents and testify in court when needed
Potential Careers:
- Correctional Officer
- Deputy Sheriff
- Law Enforcement
Emergency Medical Services Technology
Are you good at making split-decisions and staying calm in a crisis? If so, you may want to consider a career in emergency medical services. Grads will be prepared to:
- Respond to medical emergencies and identify the injuries
- Administer basic and advanced life support, including cardiac, medical, trauma, pediatric and psychiatric illnesses
- Transport persons to medical facilities
Potential Careers:
- EMT
- Paramedic
- Emergency Manager
Fire Science Technology
If you are good at making split-second decisions and staying calm in a crisis, then a career in firefighting may be just right for you. In the Fire Science Technology program, you will learn about different fire and emergency hazards, and effective operating procedures for fire prevention, control and management. When you graduate, you will be prepared to do the following:
- Protect the public by responding to fires and other emergencies
- Visit and inspect buildings and other structures to search for fire hazard and ensure that fire codes are met
- Test and inspect fire protection and fire extinguishing equipment to ensure that it works
- Determine the origin and cause of fires
Potential Careers:
- Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor
- Fire Investigator
- Fire Officer
- Fire Safety Inspector
Fire Science Academy Track
This limited-access A.S. degree program provides students with a strong educational foundation in fire science coupled with training and education in emergency medical services and firefighting. Students will complete the two-year academy as a cohort, learning to function as team members through instructional and team-building exercises. Upon completion, students will receive:
- A.S. degree in Fire Science Technology (60 college credits)
- EMT (Emergency Medical Technology) Technical Certificate (must pass a state exam)
- Minimum Standards Training – Firefighter I and II (must pass a state exam)
- Fire Inspector I – Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Certification (pass state exam)
- Pump Operator – Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Certification (pass state exam)
Potential Careers:
- EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
- Firefighter I and II
- Fire Inspector I
- Pump Operator
Paralegal Studies
Through the A.S. degree in Paralegal Studies, students will develop a strong background in areas such as civil litigation, real property, business organizations, legal research and legal technology, as well as an understanding of the ethical framework within which they will work. Paralegals perform the following tasks:
- Assist in trial preparation
- Draft contracts, court pleadings and related documents
- Maintain corporate records
- Perform legal research and informal investigations
- Prepare real estate documents and assist in real estate closings
Potential Careers:
- Legal Assistant
- Paralegal
Technical Certificate Programs
Prepare for entry-level employment or upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most programs can be completed in one year or less.
- Criminal Justice Specialist
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Fire Officer Supervisor
- Homeland Security Specialist
- Homeland Security – Law Enforcement Specialist
- Hospitality Security Specialist
- Paramedic
Bachelor’s Degree Program
Public Safety Administration (B.A.S.)
This program is designed to develop essential skills and knowledge to manage and lead public safety organizations. You will apply theory to practical, real-world scenarios as you develop critical thinking skills necessary for a career, or advancement in public safety in local, state or federal governments and the private sector.
- Administer basic and advanced life support, including cardiac, medical, trauma, pediatric and psychiatric illnesses
- Transport persons to medical facilities
Potential Careers:
First-line supervisors and mid-level managers in:
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- Fire rescue
- Public and private protective services
Educator Preparation Institute
Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Certificates
The School of Public Safety and Education offers sets of courses which fulfill certification requirements for the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training in the state of Florida. Students must complete the Valencia College courses and meet other requirements set forth by the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. These sets of courses include:
- Fire Officer I
- Fire Officer II
- Fire Safety Inspector I
- Fire Safety Inspector II
- Fire Service Instructor
Advanced Specialized Training
Fire Service
Professional training courses cover the most recent updates, topics and equipment for fire service professionals of all levels to refresh skills and build on experience to stay safe and create opportunities for career advancement. Topic areas include training in firefighter survival, rescue and vehicle operations, fire apparatus operations, leadership development and more.
Law Enforcement
Advanced Specialized Training Courses are open to sworn Florida law enforcement, corrections or probation officers with priority enrollment given to officers from agencies located in Orange County. Topic areas include line supervision, case and court preparation, special tactical problems, criminal law and more.
Valencia College provides equal opportunity for educational opportunities and employment to all. For more information, please visit valenciacollege.edu/equalopportunity