The Standards Unit provides a mechanism for the validation and evaluation of instructional content at all levels of Academy training operations. The Standards Unit maintains training development and support for the South Carolina Reserve Officer Program. Lesson plan approvals and course articulation are responsibilities of the Standards Unit. 

The Academy no longer maintains articulation agreements with institutions of higher learning, as in past years. This is due to the almost constant changes that occur with procedures dictated by the various accrediting entities. However, many colleges and universities continue to recognize Academy course work as transferable into a degree program. It is incumbent upon the individual officer to contact the college or university of his / her choice in order to apply for transfer credits. 

Lesson Plan Approvals

All lesson plan submissions must:

• be typed in proper format (handwritten lesson plans cannot be accepted)
• have properly constructed performance objectives that are clearly stated;
• have training content that satisfies each performance objective;
• provide the typed name of the author(s), instructor(s), legal representative and agency head along with signatures;
• lesson plans must be maintained by the departmental training office, and are subject to appropriate training audits and FOIA requests.

The two page Departmental Lesson Plan Cover Sheet and Approval Form is the only document turned in to the Academy. The actual lesson plan and any accompanying materials are to remain at the agency after acquiring all the necessary signatures and approvals within the department. Lesson plan approvals are valid for a period of 2 years from the original date of approval. All departmental lesson plan review and approval notification forms are assigned a lesson plan number, signed, dated and are returned to the department typically via email. Academy approval of a lesson plan will be limited to subject matter content for law enforcement re-certification credit only; it will not extend to the validity or accuracy of the content. When the approval notification from the Academy is received by the department, the assigned lesson plan number will be clearly indicated. 

Re-Approval of Departmental Lesson Plans

To receive continuing approval for a lesson plan, the submitting department must provide every two years after initial approval, an updated approval form and with the lesson plan number. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in the lesson plan being removed from the listing and having its approval withdrawn.

Institutional Provider Approval Process

Institutional training providers are characterized by:

• sources of training approval requests whose occupational/organizational responsibilities are based and budgeted on the delivery of training or educational services, and who are nationally or regionally accredited by a recognized authority. (Example: Two or four year colleges or universities having criminal justice programs.)
• sources of training approval requests who have a national and/or international training reputation in the delivery of quality training to criminal justice agencies and provide such training on a fee basis. (Example: Calibre Press, National Law Enforcement Institute, Heisler and Associates, Inc.)
• sources of Federal training approval requests whose occupational and organizational responsibilities may impact directly on the daily duties of a city, county or state law enforcement agency. (Example: F.B.I., D.E.A., U.S. Department of Justice
• sources of training approval requests whose function is to provide workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. on a national basis to members of a national law enforcement or related criminal justice association. (Example: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Sheriff's Association, American Correctional Association)

Documentation required for course review:

• Performance objectives/learning goals.
• Training outline
• Instructor credentials to include professional and educational background
• Training schedule that provides breakdown of instructional contract hours (credit is not given for lunch, breaks, or lunch speakers)

A promotional brochure may be attached provided it includes the above information. 

NOTE: Any training source can apply for institutional provider status. The source must submit an application that demonstrates approval of previous course work by more than one state P.O.S.T. commission, or have been accredited by a regional or national accrediting authority. The source must have a proven "track record" in the delivery of quality law enforcement training; in addition, institutional training providers must sign the form, which guarantees to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy that all submitted courses meet current accepted professional or occupational standards and have been determined by the institutional provider, to be legally and content defensible.