Private & Proprietary Security Academy Certificate

Cerro Coso IWV campus

What can I do with this?

The Private and Proprietary Security Academy Job Skills Certificate

  • Is designed for students pursuing employment as a registered security guard or private security officer
  • Follows the standards prescribed by section 7583.6(b) of the Business and Professions Code.
  • Provides the student with the required 40 hours of training for state licensure as a Security Guard through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
  • Includes the state mandated licensure exam.

You can use this to enhance career opportunities in:

  • Private Security Guard
  • Loss Prevention/Assets Protection Specialist
  • Proprietary Security Officer
  • Proprietary Investigator

What will I learn?

  • To apply statutory and case law to the principles and practice of private security.
  • To describe the individual functions and integrations of the components of the criminal justice system and explain how they interact with the private security sector.
  • To explain the underlying causes of terrorism.
  • To use legal research skills to locate, analyze, and discuss the content of statutory and case law as it applies to merchant privilege and liability.

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.

Complete all of the following courses

Complete two of the following courses

This program is authorized by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. To learn more about the agency or to submit a complaint about Cerro Coso Community College's program after trying to resolve the issue through the local Student Complaint Policy, contact the agency at www.bsis.ca.gov.

Program Pathways

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This certificate requires 2.5 units and will likely take 1 semester.

Approximate Total Costs

CA Residents

2.5 units

at $46 per unit

Equals $115 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $150* for books and supplies

Total cost $265 for 1 semester

Non-residents

2.5 units

at $388 per unit

Equals $970 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $150* for books and supplies

Total cost $1,120 for 1 semester

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.