Education Verification Requirements
The Mississippi Office of Standards and Training (OST) provides the following information to assist law enforcement agencies in verifying the educational qualifications of applicants seeking law enforcement officer certification.
In accordance with the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training (BLEOST) Professional Certification Policy and Procedures Manual, Rule 2.2(1)(C)(2), applicants must meet the applicable educational requirements for certification.
Acceptable Educational Credentials
The following educational credentials may be accepted for certification purposes, subject to verification by OST:
- A high school diploma issued by a recognized high school.
- An associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in an acceptable academic program from a recognized college or university.
- A General Educational Development (GED) credential or successful completion of the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
- A qualifying American College Testing (ACT) examination score, including an accepted residual ACT examination, with a minimum composite score of 15.
Note: Career, technical, and occupational diplomas or degrees do not satisfy the educational requirements identified in OST's education verification guidance.
Unacceptable Educational Institutions and Programs
The following institutions and programs have been identified by the Mississippi Office of Standards and Training as issuing educational credentials that do not satisfy the minimum educational requirements for law enforcement officer certification.
IMPORTANT EDUCATION VERIFICATION NOTICE
Educational credentials issued by the institutions or programs listed below will not be accepted for certification purposes unless otherwise determined by the Office of Standards and Training.
- ALPHA Omega Homeschool – Pearl, MS
- Bethlehem Christian School – Potts Camp, MS
- Belford High School – Coast
- Beyond Preparatory Academy – Texas
- Calvary Baptist School – Coldwater, MS
- Continental Academy
- Cornerstone Christian Correspondence School – Townsend, GA
- Covenant Christian Academy
- Eagle Homeschool Association
- Ebenezer Christian Seminary
- Eminence Academy – Aberdeen, MS
- Enterprise High School – Online
- Everest Academy
- Faith and Grace Christian Academy – Greenwood, MS
- Heritage Christian Academy – Holly Springs, MS
- Jefferson High School – Nogales, AZ
- Lake Cormorant High School (Occupational) – Lake Cormorant, MS
- Maranatha Christian Academy – Minter City, MS
- Meridian Christian Home Educators – Meridian, MS
- The Master's in Learning Center for Home Schoolers – Meridian, MS
- Minton Mansion Learning Center
- New Foundation Theological Seminary – Terry, MS
- New Summit
- Northeast Jones High School (Certificate) – Laurel, MS
- North Mississippi Area Home Educators
- Old Dominion Christian School – Kosciusko, MS
- Pacific High School – International
- St. Amant Academy – Hammond, LA
- Southeastern High School – Miami Lakes, FL
- Southern Mississippi Planning and Development – GED Preparation Program (Not GED Testing)
- Thomas Christian Academy – Mississippi
- Vencer High School – Online
- Victory Christian Academy / Victory Christian School – Mississippi
- West Madison Falls High School – Phoenix, AZ
- Willmington School of the Bible
- Wyatte Baptist Learning Center – Senatobia, MS
Other Unacceptable Educational Documentation
In addition to the institutions and programs listed above, the following documentation is not accepted under OST's education verification guidance:
- Diplomas issued through church-affiliated programs where accreditation has not been verified.
- Diplomas that do not contain the principal's signature.
- Diplomas created or issued by the applicant's family, including parents.
- Diplomas identified as career, technical, or occupational.
Alternative Educational Qualifications
Applicants who do not possess an acceptable educational credential may have alternative options available to satisfy the applicable requirements.
High School Equivalency: Applicants may obtain an accepted GED or HiSET credential. These examinations may be available through participating community colleges, high schools, libraries, and other authorized testing locations.
ACT Examination: Applicants may qualify through an accepted ACT examination with a minimum composite score of 15.
Existing ACT Scores: Agencies are encouraged to review an applicant's high school transcript to determine whether a qualifying ACT score has already been recorded.
Agency Responsibilities and Education Verification
Law enforcement agencies are responsible for reviewing and verifying an applicant's educational credentials before submitting documentation for certification.
When the recognition or accreditation of an educational institution is uncertain, agencies should consult the appropriate state department of education or contact the Office of Standards and Training for additional guidance.
Submission of an educational credential does not guarantee acceptance. All educational qualifications remain subject to review and determination by OST in accordance with applicable certification requirements.
Questions or Additional Assistance
Agencies with questions regarding educational requirements, unacceptable credentials, alternative qualifications, or verification procedures should contact the Mississippi Office of Standards and Training before submitting questionable educational documentation.