Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training

Career and Technical Education Programs

Credits or Hours: 444

This minimum standard class is regulated by Florida Statutes and is a highly structured and disciplined program with special rules, policies, and procedures.

This program is not eligible for financial aid.

The Correctional Officer Basic Recruit Training Program consists of 444 hours of training and lasts approximately four months. The class meets during the daytime, Monday through Friday. This program is generally offered once or twice a year, depending upon student or regional agency demand. Student-recruits wear academy uniforms and participate in a highly structured and disciplined classroom environment.

Currently certified law enforcement officers looking to cross over into corrections are generally offered the option to attend the necessary classes within an upcoming Corrections Academy instead of attending a separate Law Enforcement-to-Corrections Crossover Academy. Crossover training consists of 222 hours.

The Indian River State College Criminal Justice Institute is certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct authorized Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission courses.

Basic Law Enforcement Recruit Training

Career and Technical Education Programs

Credits or Hours: 684

This is a selective-admissions program. You must complete and pass a multi-step application process to be accepted.

To be admitted to this program, you will need to both apply and complete required tests administered by the Academy Selection Center.

Complete your training as a law enforcement officer in the Criminal Justice Institute’s Florida Law Enforcement Academy. The Criminal Justice Institute is certified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct authorized Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission courses.

As a student recruit, you will learn in a highly structured and disciplined classroom environment. Choose from daytime or evening/weekend options to fit your schedule.

Daytime program: Monday–Friday for 24 weeks
Evening/weekend program: Monday–Thursday and Saturday for 44 weeks

Law Enforcement Officer Crossover from Correctional Officer Training

Career and Technical Education Programs

Credits or Hours: 585

If you are currently a certified corrections officer, you can enroll in our crossover program to become a law enforcement officer. This program takes eight months to complete and is offered based on demand.

Law Enforcement Academy Track

Career and Technical Education Programs

Credits or Hours: N/A

This program has selective admissions. You must complete and pass a multi-step application process to be accepted.

The law enforcement academy track is a two-year degree program that will give you the skills, abilities and knowledge for a successful law enforcement career.

In this program, you will complete:

• The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice degree
• Basic law enforcement recruit academy

You’ll take courses in general education and criminal justice in a para-military format, meaning you will learn within a unit of students in a highly disciplined and team-structured environment.

When you finish this program, you will be eligible to take the State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification Examination and become a law enforcement officer. To enroll in this program, you must apply to Indian River State College and complete the law enforcement academy track program application. This application must be completely filled out.

Once you have completed the application, please contact Richard Dewey to schedule an appointment to bring the application in, be interviewed and verify the admissions process. This is a first-come first first-served program, meaning that seats are awarded in the order that qualified applications are received. Seats are limited, so it’s important to apply as early as possible in the application cycle.

The final semester of this two-year degree program will be the law enforcement basic recruit academy. You must complete all the required tests through the Criminal Justice Institute’s Selection Center before you can begin the basic law enforcement recruit academy. You will also need to meet certain requirements to enroll, such as passing a background check. Review the Selection Center requirements.