Basic County Corrections Academy

Are you looking to start your career in Law Enforcement? In as little as six weeks you can become a Certified County Corrections Officer in Texas. STC’s Basic County Corrections Academy is a full-time accelerated program that will help you enter a high-demand field in a local county detention facility. Our program promotes physical agility and training to meet the state certification requirements. The Basic County Corrections Academy is also designed to provide students with the academic skills and support needed to complete the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Basic County Corrections license examination.

Take advantage of this full-time accelerated pathway into the law enforcement field.

Application Details

Minimum General Requirements

Entry into the Basic County Corrections Academy is governed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and the South Texas College Law Enforcement program standards. Following admission to South Texas College, the minimum requirements for acceptance into the Basic County Corrections Academy are outlined below:

  • Must be 18 years old
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen
  • Must have a GED or high school diploma
  • Must have an honorable discharge from the military (if applicable)
  • Must never have been convicted of a Class A Misdemeanor or above
  • Not been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the last 10 years
  • Must complete a Polygraph exam
  • Must submit to a urine analysis
  • Must complete comprehensive medical and psychological screenings

Screening

The screening process requires a polygraph examination, psychological screening, medical and drug screening, fingerprint submission for criminal history check and background investigation. There are costs associated with the screenings: polygraph examination $200, psychological screening $285, medical screening $150 and fingerprint submission $10. Financial aid does not cover the costs of the screening or examinations.

Corrections Academy Application

Academy Costs

Refer to Tuition & Fees for details. This does not include the screening fees for the application process. Uniforms and supplies will cost approximately $400. Financial aid covers tuition and books if you qualify. Visit Paying for College for more information about financial aid.


The Basic County Corrections Academy will be open enrollment for those who wish to attend the Basic County Corrections Academy and apply financial aid, G.I. Bill, or other scholarships toward their tuition.


County Corrections Specialist Occupational Skills Award

TSI EXEMPT

Plan of Study Grid
First Semester Credit Hours
CJCR 1300 Basic Jail Course 3
CJSA 1348 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3
CJLE 1327 Interview and Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals 3
  Total Credit Hours 9
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