National Sheriffs' Association
Center for Court Security and Jail Operations
at Columbia Southern University

The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) Center for Court Security and Jail Operations (CCSJO) at Columbia Southern University (CSU) is dedicated to enhancing Court Security and Jail Operations in the United States by providing training, current events and resources on the key elements of court security and jail operations. Completely online courses are available on a variety of subjects including protecting court personnel, physical security, jail evacuation and more.

Online Certificate Program and Courses

Certificate in Court Security Operations

Earn a National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Certificate along with 12 college credit hours from Columbia Southern University (CSU) upon successfull completion of the following four court security courses. These courses can also be used as electives in any CSU associates or bachelor’s degree program.

  • Introduction to Court Security (BCJ 3450): Introduction to Court Security is a prerequisite for all other court security operations courses. This course is an introductory course about court security in and around our nation's court facilities. Court security now involves more than physical structures and high tech security equipment aimed at protecting the court.
  • Protecting Court Personnel (BCJ 3451): Protecting Court Personnel describes strategies and methods for ensuring judicial personnel are able to carry out their public charge. Personnel involved in the judicial system must be protected in order for the judicial system to serve the general public in a consistent manner.
  • Physical Security (BCJ 3452): Physical Security examines the organization and management of the security function in industry and business including assessing needs to protect personnel, facilities, and major assets, controlling and managing risks, and other professional, legal, and ethical issues. These specified disciplines in security and protection can have benefits for an officer willing to look at other unique areas of security for ideas to incorporate into their environment. Report writing, investigations, proper prisoner search techniques, transporting prisoners, and handling emergency situations will enhance the skills and career of any security detail.
  • Court Security Supervision (BCJ 3453) : Court Security Supervision provides an overview of the concepts and key components of the role of supervisors and middle managers in any criminal justice agency. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of inter-personal skills and the ability to work with others. Topics covered include: communication, problem solving, time management, the hiring process, motivation and morale.

Online Jail Operations Courses

Earn a National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Certificate of Completion along with one college credit hour from Columbia Southern University (CSU) with successful completion of any of the three available online jail management courses listed below. Complete all three jail management courses and receive credit for the CSU BCJ 2002 Theory and Practices of Corrections course.

  • Jail Operations Management (CJC 2050): The Jail Operations Management course is designed to provide the jail officer with critical management techniques for the successful operation of a jail or prison.
  • First and Second Line Supervisor Training (CJC 2051): The First and Second Line Supervisor Training course is designed to provide supervisory training and management principles for jail officers who wish to advance to a supervisory position. The training focuses on supervisor responsibilities, policies and procedures and legal rights of inmates and employees in a jail setting.
  • Free Homeland Security Training
    Jail Evacuation (CJC 2052): Jail Evacuation is designed to address the needs of Sheriffs and Jail Commanders who may encounter a situation in which their jail must be evacuated. The course provides background information on terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction. Exercises and discussions are designed to support and guide participants through the learning processes required to develop a Jail Evacuation Plan. Enrollments submitted for this course are subject to approval by the NSA.

CSU Online Degree Programs

Court Security and Jail Management Resources

Visit the National Sheriffs' Association website for more information about court security and jail management resources.