Public Safety Academy (PSA)

Interested in a Career in Public Safety?

The Department of Criminal Justice's Public Safety Academy provides Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) basic law enforcement certification to students who declare a major in criminal justice and meet all P.O.S.T. mandates and requirements for acceptance into the P.O.S.T. program from the baccalaureate program on UNG's Dahlonega campus.

Please fully read the Requirements and Application Process page.
We do not offer a traditional 12-week academy. This program takes UNG students three to four years to complete.
This program is only offered on the Dahlonega Campus.

Artwork of Challenge Coin

University of North Georgia, Public Safety Academy, Challenge Coin

Be Without Fear in the Face of Your Enemies

What Can I Do with a Career in Public Safety?

Local Agencies

Georgia State Patrol car in front of UNG arch on Dahlonega campus.

State Agencies

Policewoman leaning against reflective wall.

Federal Agencies

How Does This Program Prepare Me to Go into Public Safety?

Certification through the Public Safety Academy at UNG ensures you will be "job-ready" at graduation. Our academy also provides extensive training including in-service that exceeds far beyond the basic certification requirements. The following certifications are included:

Basic Certification

Basic law enforcement mandate certification (including First Aid/CPR, emergency vehicle operations, and firearms, pepper spray) at the time of graduation with a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice.

Additional Certifications Included in UNG's Academy

Taser certification
ASP baton certification
Patrol rifle familiarization
Standardized field sobriety
Radar/Lidar

"... it gives you more training than just the regular police academy. It gives you more time in the classroom, more time with the firearms, more time with instructors, basically just overall more training that gets you prepared."

Alexis Sutton, '19
Student, career goal to become an FBI homicide detective

Where Could This Program Lead You?

Where Our Students Have Interned

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Georgia State Patrol
U.S. Marshall Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Secret Service
Enotah District Attorney's Office
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
Roswell Police Department
Alpharetta Police Department
Gwinnett Police Department
Hall County Sheriff’s Office
Atlanta Police Department
Georgia Department of Supervision
Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Where Our Grads Have Found Jobs

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Georgia State Patrol
U.S. Secret Service
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Victim Witness Assistance Program, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office
Lumpkin County District Attorney's Office
Hall County Distric Attorney's Office
Dunwoody Police Department
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
Johns Creek Police Department
Roswell Police Department
Alpharetta Police Department
Roswell Police Department
Gwinnett Police Department
Georgia Department of Community Supervision
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Department of Corrections
State Board of Pardons and Paroles
UNG Department of Public Safety
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council
Georgia Probation Management

Where Our Grads Have Gone to Grad School

University of North Georgia
University of South Carolina
University of Georgia
Georgia State University
Florida State University
University of Florida

P.O.S.T.

"The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) congratulates the continued success of the University of North Georgia’s Public Safety Academy. This unique program is the first of its kind in our state. POST is honored to have assisted in its creation through the vision of Dr. Butch Newkirk. It is our shared belief that this program of study has and will continue to equip some of our most talented law enforcement professionals. Through the pursuit of a college degree and a POST law enforcement certification, graduates of this program are highly sought after in the law enforcement profession. The foundation to create through the North Georgia College Program will no doubt prepare its graduates for a successful career in law enforcement, many of whom will become the future leaders of our profession."

Mike Ayers, Executive Director
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council

Public Safety Academy Students in Action

Firing Range

Defensive Tactics

Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course

Simulation Lab

Night Fire

Speed Detection Certification

Misdemeanor Traffic Stops

Pepper Spray Certification

Find out more about the Public Safety Academy at UNG!

In the News

New high-tech firearms simulator supports Public Safety Academy (UNG news)
UNG criminal justice program adds POST certification option to degree (UNG news)

UNG introduces training simulator for future law enforcement officers (Vanguard student magazine)
Ready to Serve: New public safety academy provides career credentials (UNG magazine, PDF - page 20)

Questions?

Be sure to check out "Requirements and Application Process" for how to enroll in our program.

You can also reach us by phone or email. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our program!

PSA Contact Info

Dr. Butch Newkirk, Director
butch.newkirk@ung.edu
706-867-2671

Sallie Parker, Coordinator
sallie.parker@ung.edu
706-867-2853

Kevin French, PSA Instructor
kevin.french@ung.edu
706-867-2840