• Keep Georgia - and the Nation - Safe and Secure
    Government provides unique services and activities that help all Georgians on a daily basis. If you choose a career in government and public safety, you will have the satisfaction of helping others in a field where skilled professionals are always in demand. Career opportunities in this field are plentiful. You may find a career in writing legislation, working on disaster preparedness, working on city planning, or providing state and national security. Many of the occupations in these fields are highly challenging, and some involve an element of risk. Your course work will include an emphasis on safety. You can enter this field from high school, through a technical college, or through military service. Sample careers for Government and Public Safety include:
    • Criminal investigator
    • Federal agent or private investigator
    • Emergency management specialist
    • Paralegal
    • Judge
    • Georgia Emergency Management Association officer
    • Hazardous materials removal specialist
     
    Program Components: What’s Included?
    The Government and Public Safety Program enables you to build solid writing, comprehension, calculation, problem-solving, and technical skills. You will take relevant math and science courses that include skills based on advanced algebra, chemistry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, and physics.
     
    In the Government and Public Safety program, you will study basic concepts of law and learn how federal, state, and local law enforcement, prosecution, and adjudication agencies function. Course work includes classifications and elements of crime, the major criminal and traffic laws of Georgia, crime prevention and detection strategies, and investigative and criminological theory.
     
    Depending on your selected career pathway, you may be able to start working in your chosen field immediately after graduation. You may also choose to continue your education at the college level or combine work and study. The courses you complete in your career pathway include three important training components:
    • Classroom and laboratory work
    • Career Related Education experience
    • Membership in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) - Optional program
     
    Lab work provides an opportunity for you to participate in simulated disaster preparedness events, to job shadow with law enforcement agencies, to study justice issues, and to take part in military training. Through JROTC you will build teamwork and leadership skills and enhance your physical and mental fitness. JROTC courses are often taught by retired military personnel and offered under the college preparatory or dual enrollment options.
     
    Government and Public Safety in Middle School
    You can start exploring careers in Government and Public Safety in the sixth grade. You will take part in activities to learn self-awareness and leadership and you will develop skills related to careers in government and public safety. You can also join SkillsUSA and start developing leadership abilities. You can continue in SkillsUSA throughout middle school and high school. In seventh grade you can further your leadership abilities and master more skills to achieve your personal goals. In the eighth grade you will have a chance to master pre-pathway units to help you make good choices about your high school career pathway.
     
    Academic relevance and connections in math, science, reading, writing, and social studies will help you build greater understanding of the standards you will learn. By completing all three Government and Public Safety courses while you are in middle school, you will be advanced and prepared for your high school career pathway(s) of choice.
     
Last Modified on March 30, 2010