PCSS To Offer Criminal Justice Program Next School Year

Starting in the 2022-2023 school, Putnam County Schools will offer students the opportunity to earn criminal justice education certificates.

Early and Post-Secondary Opportunity Specialist Jackie Vester said that the partnership with Vol State came about because of student interest in criminal justice.

“And that’s a program that we don’t offer at any of our three high schools at this point,” “And so we wanted to look at an opportunity to meet that need. And with that, Vol State Community College has a certificate program.”

Vester said that juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to take part in a six-course program that will result in their criminal justice certification. She said that the students will start with some intro to criminal justice courses, and then move into topics like law enforcement, legal processes, and finally electives like forensics.

Vester said that she thinks students in Putnam County Schools are interested in career fields in criminal justice. She said that this certificate can lead to jobs as police officers, CO’s, or eventually detectives.

“And that’s one of the great things about career and technical education the high school,” Vester said. “It allows students to explore careers and determine if that’s the best fit for them.”