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Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program
(information updated Jan. 6, 2012)

The Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP) was developed in 1977 to prepare the seasonal ranger to perform law enforcement in areas administered by the National Park Service. The training program is offered at nine venues across the country. The core required program consists of 400 class hours. Some programs may require additional hours.

A successful graduate becomes eligible to receive a Type II law enforcement commission once a background investigation, drug testing and medical screening is completed. Information regarding medical standards for commissioned rangers can be found here. Prospective students should contact the school they plan on attending for the specific graduation requirements. Fitness requirements for seasonal positions will be posted here when they become applicable and available.

Once obtained, the commission enables the bearer to carry firearms, make arrests, investigate crimes and assist in the execution of warrants.

Schools offer the SLETP in a variety of ways. The diversity of offerings is reflected in the varying lengths of classes.

  • (S) - Straight Academy (40 hours or more/week)
  • (P) - Peace Officer Standard Training with NPS add-on or add-in
  • (O) - One session per academic year (1 or 2 semesters) to full-time students
  • (T) - One session over two academic years to full-time students
  • (C) - Combination of weekends and semester breaks

    Each school recognizes or offers recognition for completion of the course in one or more ways:

  • Continuing education units
  • Semester hours
  • Quarter hours
  • Certificate

    The cost of each school's program is set by the administration of that school. Prospective students should personally contact the directors of the schools being considered and inquire as to the availability of housing and meals, as well as the tuition costs and any additional fees for ammunition, targets or other items.

    We have attempted to offer the most recent information on class dates, but cancellations and changes in scheduling are not uncommon.

    IMPORTANT STUDENT INFORMATION
    SLETP Academy Trainee Standards Handbook
    Physical Efficiency Battery as a Condition of Employment for Law Enforcement Positions
    DOI-HR Decision on Physical Efficiency Battery


    Colorado Northwestern Community College
    Criminal Justice Program
    500 Kennedy Drive (Hill Hall)
    Rangely, CO 81648

    Class Dates:
    Jan. 30 - April 6, 2012 (WAIT LIST ONLY)
    May 21 - July 23, 2012 (Taking applications starting Jan. 1, 2012)
    Fall academy — to be announced

    The park ranger training program at CNCC is a 10-week program consisting of more than 450 contact hours and 20 credit hours. Upon successful completion of the academy, students will be awarded with a SLETP certificate that will enable them to apply to the National Park Service as a seasonal Type II law enforcement ranger. CNCC does include housing and meals with the tuition.

    Interested students should contact either Academy Coordinator Joseph Sears, (970) 675-3208; toll-free 1 (800) 562-1105, ext. 208; fax (970) 675-8665; joseph.sears@cncc.edu

    Academy/Security Coordinator Chris Congemi, (970) 675-3329; toll-free 1 (800) 562-1105, ext.329; christopher.congemi@cncc.edu OR

    Academy Chief Ranger Nancy Wizner, (970) 675-3337; nancy.wizner@cncc.edu



    Hocking College
    National Ranger Training Institute
    3301 Hocking Parkway
    Nelsonville, OH 45764-9582

    Class Dates:
    Aug. 8 - Dec. 16, 2011 (P)
    Bill DeWeese: (740) 753-6295; fax: (740) 753-6305
    deweese_b@hocking.edu
    Connie Cassady: (740) 753-6304
    cassady_c@hocking.edu

    Follow the National Ranger Training Institute at:
    twitter.com/NRTI
    rangertraining.blogspot.com

    The Ranger Academy Program is based on a blended curriculum meshing the SLETP curriculum with the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program. This has resulted in qualification with a SLETP certificate and certification to work for agencies that require or recognize peace officer basic training, including state, county and local parks, recreation, wildlife and natural resources agencies in Ohio or reciprocating states. The program is conducted in a full-time academy setting with a typical week consisting of a minimum of 43 hours. More details here.

    Northern Arizona University
    Park Ranger Training Program
    Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation
    P.O. Box 15016
    Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5016

    Class Dates:
    Sept. 12 - Nov. 18, 2011 (S)
    Jan. 17 - April 20, 2012 (S)
    Sept. 5 - Nov. 21, 2012 (S)

    Mark Maciha: (928) 523-8242; fax: (928) 523-2275
    mark.maciha@nau.edu or prtp@nau.edu
    www.prm.nau.edu/rangers

    Santa Rosa Junior College
    Public Safety Training Center
    5743 Skylane Blvd.
    Windsor, CA 95492

    Class Dates:
    Jan. 18 - April 6, 2012 (S)
    Aug. 21 - Nov. 16, 2012 (S)

    Brian Marvin: (707) 836-2914; fax: (707) 836-2948
    pstc-info@santarosa.edu
    website: www2.santarosa.edu/pages/public-safety-training-center/law-enforcement-corrections/ranger-academy.php

    SRJC’s Ranger Academy was the first of its kind. Since 1978 when NPS first set seasonal ranger law enforcement training standards, SRJC has hosted 122 classes with more than 3,000 graduates. In the last 10 years SRJC built completely new public safety classroom and field facilities in Windsor, Calif., including an indoor firing range, driver training track, and a full-scale scenario village and campground affording students varied and realistic settings for hands-on learning. The 11-week program trains to NPS standards often with working rangers as instructors. Students are evaluated with supportive feedback in constitutional and criminal law, behavioral science, park patrol and enforcement, driving, firearms and officer safety. SRJC welcomes your further interest.




    Skagit Valley College
    Department of Criminal Justice
    2405 E. College Way
    Mount Vernon, WA 98273-5899

    Class Dates:
    Sept. 6 - Dec. 16, 2011 (S) (720 hours) -- CANCELED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT
    Jan. 2, 2012 - April 13, 2012 (S) (720 hours)

    This program mandates full attendance for the 720 hours held at the Mount Vernon Campus and is not available online. The Parks Law Enforcement Academy is based on a blended curriculum meshing the SLETP curriculum with the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Officer's Program. This has resulted in qualification with a SLETP certificate and certification to work for certain agencies that require or recognize peace officer training with a natural/cultural/historic resources protection emphasis, including Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, county and local parks, and natural resources agencies in Washington or reciprocating states. The program is conducted in a full-time academy setting with a typical week consisting of a minimum of 40+ hours.

    You may obtain further information and application materials online here. If you are unable to obtain materials in this fashion, you may request that an information/application packet to be mailed to your U.S. postal address.

    Bill Overby: (360) 416-7829; fax: (360) 416-6669
    bill.overby@skagit.edu



    Slippery Rock University
    Leadership Development Center
    One Morrow Way
    Slippery Rock, PA 16057

    Class Dates:
    Sept. 12 - Dec. 9, 2011 (S)
    Jan. 23, 2012 - April 20, 2012 (S)

    The SRU SLETP will offer a straight academy format beginning in the fall of 2011. The program consists of over 480 hours and includes a law enforcement leadership component. The program runs for 12 weeks at 40 hours per week. The program is certificate based and offered as non-credit. Students from all majors are invited to apply. The program is open to both SRU students and interested participants who meet the SLETP and federal qualifications. The SRU program has been training park rangers for more than 30 years and is recognized by the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    Starting in 2011, the program will include a Pennsylvania component that will allow program graduates to meet the PA DCNR state requirements for conservation law enforcement officers who are interested in careers with the Bureau of Forestry and the Bureau of State Parks.

    Interested students should contact Dr. John Lisco, SRU SLETP Director: (724) 738-2596;
    john.lisco@sru.edu or Erin Strain, Leadership Development, (724) 738-4334, erin.strain@sru.edu
    For program details and specific application information, see the website

    Southwestern Community College
    Jerry Sutton Public Safety Training Center
    225 Industrial Park Loop
    Franklin, NC 28734

    Class Dates:
    Fall 2012 - Class 89, Aug. 21 - Dec. 7, 2012 (S)
    Spring 2013 - Class 90, Jan. 22 - May 2013 (S)
    Fall 2013 - Class 91, Aug. 20 - December 2013 (S)

    NOTE: Academies beginning August 2012 will be limited to 20 recruits

    Mitch Boudrot: (828) 306-7043; fax: (828) 369-2428
    m_boudrot@southwesterncc.edu
    More details: http://www.southwesterncc.edu/content/national-park-service

    Temple University
    Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program
    Department of Criminal Justice
    523 Gladfelter Hall, 1115 W. Berks St.
    Philadelphia, PA 19122

    Class Dates:
    May 21 – Aug. 17, 2012 (S)
    Aug. 27 – Dec. 3, 2012 (S)

    The Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program at Temple University is a rigorous 13-week program consisting of more than 505 hours of instruction designed to prepare and enable students to obtain employment with the National Park Service as a Seasonal Type II law enforcement ranger. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be awarded academic credit and a certificate of completion. A public celebration that recognizes the significance of their achievement will include a formal graduation ceremony.

    Anthony J. Luongo: office, (215) 204-7930; fax, (215) 204-2776
    aluongo@temple.edu
    www.temple.edu/cjtp


    Unity College
    Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program
    90 Quaker Hill Road
    Unity, Maine 04988

    Information: www.unity.edu
    Director Tim Peabody: 207-948-3131, ext. 331; Coordinator Tom Nash: 757-634-4197

    The Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP) was first developed in 1977 to prepare seasonal park rangers to perform law enforcement in areas administered by the National Park Service. This intensive 400+ hour training program includes such topics as federal criminal law and court procedures, pistol and shotgun qualifications, emergency response driving, patrol skills, and defensive tactics. This course of study is mandatory for all those seeking seasonal employment to work in National Parks as a law enforcement ranger.

    University of Massachusetts Amherst
    Conservation Law Enforcement
    National Park Service Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program
    100 Venture Way, Suite 201
    Hadley, MA 01035-9430

    Class Dates for the 2011-12 Program: Four full weeks & alternating weekends, all in person (THIS SESSION NOW FULL)

    For reasons related to the federal accreditation process, the dates of the UMass Amherst Conservation Law Enforcement Training Program have changed. The program’s start date is moving from Aug. 22 to Dec. 3, 2011, and the program’s conclusion is moving from March 23 to May 6, 2012. We apologize for the inconveniences that this may cause you.

    Below are the new program dates:

    December weekends: 3-4, 10-11, 17-18
    January: two full weeks: 2-7 & 9-13
    January weekends: 21-22, 28-29
    February weekends: 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
    March weekends: 3-4, 10-11, 31/April 1
    March: one full week: 19-23
    April weekends: 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29,
    May weekend: 5-6
    May: Sunday, 6, graduation (time will be announced at a later date)

    The nationally respected training program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the National Park Service. Our 400-hour program is taught in person only in Hadley, Mass. All instructors have many years of experience in natural resource law enforcement. More than 575 students have graduated from this program, and many have found employment with NPS law enforcement; others have been hired as conservation officers at state parks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and with state fish and game departments.

    For more information contact cletp@contined.umass.edu or academicprograms@contined.umass.edu. This program is not available online.




    Vermilion Community College
    NPS Seasonal Ranger Training
    1900 East Camp St.
    Ely, Minnesota 55731-1996
    Search the website for more details: www.vcc.edu

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