Law, Public Safety, and Security in South Carolina
South Carolina's Law, Public Safety, and Security pathway prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, and security services. This comprehensive program provides foundational knowledge in criminal justice systems, legal procedures, public safety operations, and emergency response. With public safety careers offering stable employment and opportunities to serve communities throughout South Carolina, this pathway attracts students interested in protection and service careers.
The pathway covers criminal law, constitutional rights, law enforcement procedures, corrections systems, juvenile justice, and emergency management. Students develop critical thinking skills for analyzing legal scenarios, decision-making abilities for high-pressure situations, and communication skills essential for public safety work. The curriculum often includes hands-on experiences such as crime scene investigation simulations, courtroom procedures, and emergency response drills that prepare students for the realities of public safety careers.
South Carolina's Law, Public Safety, and Security programs maintain partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, courts, corrections facilities, and emergency management organizations. These partnerships provide students with authentic learning experiences and pathways to careers in public service. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in security and corrections, continuation to criminal justice degree programs, or pursuit of law enforcement academy training.
Law, Public Safety, and Security at a Glance
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Courses
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Credentials
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Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
South Carolina's Law, Public Safety, and Security standards align with national criminal justice education standards and emphasize constitutional law, criminal justice systems, investigation procedures, corrections operations, emergency management, and professional ethics. State standards prepare students for entry-level public safety positions and postsecondary criminal justice education while emphasizing the importance of integrity, fairness, and community service.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice 1: Foundations and Law | CJ-101 |
| Criminal Justice 2: Law Enforcement Operations | CJ-201 |
| Criminal Justice 3: Corrections and Courts | CJ-301 |
| Criminal Justice 4: Advanced Topics and Practicum | CJ-401 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Microsoft Office Specialist
- ✓IC3 Digital Literacy Certification
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Police Officer
Entry LevelSalary range: $49,140 - $67,200
Adjusted for cost of living: $52,737
Correctional Officer
Entry LevelSalary range: $53,700 - $85,570
Adjusted for cost of living: $57,630
Security Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $88,490 - $157,710
Adjusted for cost of living: $129,470
Emergency Management Coordinator
ExperiencedSalary range: $39,230 - $54,390
Adjusted for cost of living: $52,018
Probation Officer
ExperiencedSalary range: $51,990 - $65,130
Adjusted for cost of living: $60,195
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in ride-alongs with law enforcement officers, tours of corrections facilities and courts, and internships with security companies and emergency management agencies. Work-based learning includes job shadowing criminal justice professionals, participation in mock trial competitions, and volunteer work with victim advocacy organizations and community safety programs.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps South Carolina CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
South Carolina Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with South Carolina's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as South Carolina standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in South Carolina
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticEmployability Skills
Employability skills, also called soft skills, workplace readiness skills, or 21st-century skills, are the non-technical competencies that employers consistently identify as essential for workplace success. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, professionalism, and adaptability, which CTE programs are expected to develop alongside technical skills.
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