MIAMI – Since 2011, Miami Dade College (MDC) School of Justice and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have collaborated to provide customized training courses for TSA employees at Miami International Airport (MIA).
MDC is the sole college provider for the TSA HLS College Credit Certificate education program at the Miami International Airport. The TSA training courses are designed to address the specific needs of TSA employees and include topics such as terrorism, border security and public safety.
“TSA is the frontline in keeping us safe,” said MDC School of Justice chairperson Kenneth Staab.
Upon completing nine credit hours, TSA employees receive a TSA certificate of completion. TSA employees can then obtain a MDC Homeland Security College Credit Certificate after completing 15 credit hours. For an additional 45 credits at MDC, a student would receive an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Technology. Employees can also pursue an Associate of Arts degree with a pathway in Criminal Justice. Employees can continue their education at MDC to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Management or transfer to other institutions.
Exactly 76 employees have enrolled in the TSA training program with 51 employees receiving a TSA certificate of completion. Twenty-seven other students have received the MDC Homeland Security College Credit Certificate. Thirteen students are expected to earn the TSA certificate in May 2015. Eleven students are expected to complete the Homeland Security Certificate program in May 2015.
TSA employee Rosie Martinez, who will be completing the program in May, stated she enjoys the experience the instructors, who are police and correctional officers, bring to the classroom.
“Instructors are extremely knowledgeable,” Martinez said. “The criminal justice class gave me a better grasp of what I do.”
The TSA training program was initially offered to workers on the front line but has expanded to include employees who work behind the scenes as well, said Khalilah Beverley, Education Coordinator of the TSA Associate Program.
“We’ve received great feedback from the students,” Beverly said. “The program is really making a difference.”
