Highlights

  • ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ students can now earn a newly developed Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyst certificate as part of their criminal justice coursework.

  • The curriculum for the FCAT/FLEAT Academic Certificate is embedded into two online courses available at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

  • The program positions ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ as a statewide leader in supplying qualified professionals who use data-driven analysis to strengthen public safety across Florida communities.

Crime analysts are an essential backbone of the criminal justice system, solving and preventing crime through data analysis and mapping. It’s a role that requires substantial qualifications β€” something that ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, in partnership with the state of Florida, has now embedded into its criminal justice coursework to ensure a seamless transition from classroom to crime analysis work.

Completing the Florida Core Analytical Training (FCAT) and Florida Law Enforcement Analyst Training (FLEAT) and Florida Core Analyst Training (FCAT) typically requires a 16-hour and 40-hour course, respectively, at a location designated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), as well as hundreds of hours of field experience. Now, students pursuing a career in crime analysis can complete the newly developed FCAT/FLEAT Academic Certificate as part of their studies at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ while gaining the field experience they need.

The ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ Department of Criminal Justice’s new pathway sends future investigative and intelligence analysts straight into the field. It also builds on decades of partnership with the organization, including the strategic relocation of FDLE toxicology lab to ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona earlier this year.

Embedding the FLEAT and FCAT Academic Certificate curriculum into two criminal justice courses is another result of the years of partnership between FDLE and Associate Professor . This makes ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ one of three institutions in Florida authorized to deliver the certificate through academic coursework β€” and fully online.

With many agencies embracing data driven policing to guide decision-making in safety, crime prevention and more, this partnership positions ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ as a statewide leader in preparing analysts who will support law enforcement, guide resource allocation and strengthen public safety across Florida communities.

β€œThere is a growing population that … want to work in the crime intelligence division or a real time crime center β€” the ones grinding the numbers and turning those numbers into intelligence,” Watkins says. β€œThe analysts are fundamental workhorses behind the scenes providing information for different levels of management and practitioners to be able to make decisions.”

The curriculum for the FCAT/FLEAT Academic Certificate is embedded into Crime Intelligence and Investigative Support (CCJ 4076) at the undergraduate level, and Data Management Systems and Crime Analysis (CCJ 6073) at the graduate level. Taking either course and earning at least an 80% will grant students the academic certificate, rendering them eligible to combine these credentials with crime analysis experience to move straight into the state’s final analyst course within FDLE’s Florida Law Enforcement Analyst Training Program – the Florida Law Enforcement Analyst Academy. credentialing program in Tallahassee, Florida.

For students, the pathway offers an expedited route into a growing field β€” especially coupled with internships to gain the 300 necessary hours of field experience needed to become an analyst. The graduate course is also open to non-degree seeking students, meaning that working analysts across Florida can enroll to earn the FCAT/FLEAT Academic Certificate through ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ without leaving their home.

β€œMy interest has always been helping the different criminal justice agencies get some of the best talent that they can get their hands on by creating a curriculum that makes our graduates very sought-after candidates for employment.” β€” Β Cory Watkin, associate professor

Watkins says he always designs his course curriculum with the intention of ensuring students are the most prepared they can possibly be to enter the field.

β€œMany of our students are looking to go right to work: Criminal justice is a book-to-pavement program,” he says. β€œMy interest has always been helping the different criminal justice agencies get some of the best talent that they can get their hands on by creating a curriculum that makes our graduates very sought-after candidates for employment.”

This initiative follows suit with the department’s continuing dedication to getting students into the field and working at an accelerated rate. In 2024, the department launched the professional track in the criminal justice bachelor’s program to streamline students’ pathway from college to a career in law enforcement or correctional leadership by allowing them to graduate with state certification in law enforcement or corrections.

Looking ahead, Watkins says he believes the long-term implications of such partnerships will be transformative.

β€œWe’re going to get the best of the best, and it’s going to have an impact,” he says. β€œDown the road, you could look at reduced crime, better trained officers, and better analysis leading to less use of force, greater citizen satisfaction and improved public safety.”