JACKSONVILLE, AL — Jacksonville State University has received approval from the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) to launch a new academic partnership that allows qualifying students to graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and Alabama law enforcement certification.
According to the university, the program is the first of its kind in Alabama and is designed for Criminal Justice students pursuing Jax State’s Law Enforcement Academy Minor. The initiative combines the academic requirements for a bachelor’s degree with the state’s law enforcement training and certification standards, allowing graduates to enter the workforce immediately after completing their degree.
Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth Jr. said the partnership reflects the university’s commitment to addressing workforce needs through academic innovation.
“This partnership reflects Jacksonville State University’s commitment to meeting the needs of our state through innovative academic programs and strong partnerships,” Killingsworth said. “As the first institution in Alabama to offer this model, we are creating a pathway that allows students to graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and professional certification, prepared to serve their communities while helping law enforcement agencies across Alabama recruit highly qualified, workforce-ready officers.”
Students accepted into the program must meet the same admission standards required of all Alabama law enforcement recruits. Those requirements include interviews, physical and psychological evaluations, physical agility testing and other standards established by APOSTC before entering an APOST-certified law enforcement training academy.
Under the program, students will attend the academy during their junior year. After completing academy training, they will gain practical experience by working with the Jacksonville State University Police Department while finishing their senior year. Upon graduation, students will hold both a bachelor’s degree and the credentials required to begin careers with law enforcement agencies across Alabama.
Chief R. Alan Benefield, executive secretary of the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, said the partnership creates a new pipeline for recruiting officers.
“The Commission’s partnership with Jacksonville State University represents an innovative investment in the future of Alabama law enforcement,” Benefield said. “By establishing a structured pathway to certification, we are creating a pipeline of highly qualified, well-educated law enforcement officers who have already demonstrated a commitment to public service.”
Benefield added that participating agencies could realize cost savings because graduates will have already completed both their education and academy training while enrolled at the university.
Michael Barton, associate vice president of Health and Public Safety and chief of police at Jacksonville State University, said the program combines education, certification and practical experience before graduation.
“This partnership changes the way we prepare future law enforcement officers,” Barton said. “Students will graduate with the education, training, certification, and real-world experience they need to begin serving immediately, while agencies gain access to qualified candidates who are ready to step into the profession.”
The Law Enforcement Academy Minor consists of 21 credit hours integrated into students’ existing degree plans, allowing academy training to be completed as part of their undergraduate education rather than after graduation.
University officials said the initiative builds on Jax State’s existing public safety and criminal justice programs, including its Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation, University Police Department, Center for Applied Forensics, Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement, Alabama Investigators Academy, Southeastern Law Enforcement Command College and other APOST-certified training programs.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christie Shelton said the partnership is intended to reduce barriers to employment while responding to workforce needs across Alabama.
Students interested in the Law Enforcement Academy Minor must meet all Jacksonville State University admission requirements as well as APOSTC standards for entry into an APOST-certified law enforcement training academy.
