There are 38 cities and 191 towns situated in 95 counties across Virginia, and as of last year, 8.67 million individuals made up those communities. We’ve all heard the phrase “It takes a village,” and when it comes to protecting the livelihood of our communities, leave it up to the folks who protect and serve the community in public safety careers.
G3 tuition assistance focuses on five in-demand industries, including public safety. If you’ve been considering a public safety career pathway, this post is for you. Here are four different public safety avenues you could take.
(Note: Keep in mind that AAS stands for applied associate of science degree.)
Administration of Justice AAS to Police Officer, Investigator or Corrections Officer
Many of our colleges offer a variety of certificates and degree programs that can lead to a career in a local, state or federal criminal justice position. There are also specializationsin homeland security, for example, that may help narrow your focus of study even further. Students in these programs will learn about the criminal justice system, understand theories behind crime and analyze and practice approaches to law enforcement.
Forensic Science AAS to Criminal Investigator, Evidence Technician or Detective
Did you know the first serial killer to be convicted by DNA technology stemmed from a string of cases in Virginia? Forensics got trendy when CSI came out, but as technology has advanced so have methods for analyzing evidence and solving crimes. This program is a mix of general law enforcement with basic forensic investigation principals that can take a student into an entry-level law enforcement position with county and state agencies.
Paramedic AAS to Paramedic, EMT Basic and EMT Advanced Roles
This one is self-explanatory, but our colleges offer options on each rung of the ladder for someone who is ultimately interested in becoming a paramedic. There are EMT basic and EMT advanced certifications available along the way to a full paramedic career. If you perform well under pressure and like to be on the move, this could be just the track for you.
Fire Science AAS to Fire Fighter
Can you become a fire fighter without an associate degree in the field? Yes, but the goal of this program is to better prepare a person for entry into the field by giving them a robust knowledge base about the profession, helping to foster soft skills like interpersonal communication to ensure they’re primed to work with others in a high-stakes situation.
Sound like something you’d like to pursue? Learn more about G3 funding and what options are available where you live. Visit Learn how to Qualify and Programs for more information.
