Pre-Police Academy Training
Overview
The Pre-Police Academy Training (PPAT) Certificate is for individuals who seek to become employed as a law enforcement officer in South Carolina and become Class-1 Certified Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA) and the Law Enforcement Training Council (LETC) pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Chapter 23.
PPAT Certificate students will meet the admission and graduation requirements set by the SCCJA and will include the following:
- U.S. citizenship
- High school graduate/equivalency
- Minimum of 20 years of age upon entrance to the program
- Successful passing of criminal background check (cannot have been convicted of any criminal offense that carries a sentence of one year or more or of any criminal offense that involves moral turpitude), and cannot have received a suspended license for DUI in the last 5 years.
Program Type
Academic CertificateHow to Enroll
To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.
Questions?
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
Full-Time Schedule
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (12 Credit Hours) |
CRJ-281 |
Police Science I Police Science I ID: CRJ-281 Credit Hours: 3 Course topics include but are not limited to: Intro to Criminal Law, Courts, Crimes, and Procedures, First Amend., Basic Patrol Operations, and Traffic Law. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks. |
3 | ||||
| CRJ-282 |
Police Science II Police Science II ID: CRJ-282 Credit Hours: 3 Course topics include but are not limited to: Domestic Violence, Juv. Procedures, and Victimology. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks. |
3 | |||||
| CRJ-283 |
Police Science III Police Science III ID: CRJ-283 Credit Hours: 3 Course topics include but are not limited to: Report Writing, Interviewing, Officer Survival, Drug Enforcement, and Crime Scene and Physical Evidence. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks. |
3 | |||||
| CRJ-284 |
Police Science IV Police Science IV ID: CRJ-284 Credit Hours: 3 Course topics include but are not limited to: Basic Collision Investigation, Uniform Traffic Ticket, Vehicle Tactics, and Mind Armor. After successful completion of this course, students will be eligible to complete the SCCJA certification exam for these instructional blocks. |
3 | |||||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$2,400.00 Not including fees and equipment |
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What’s next after I complete this program?
Become employed in the field of homeland security or criminal justice.
Graduates from the Pre-Police Academy Certificate program at MTC are qualified for entry-level positions in law enforcement.