What is LASD University?
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department University (LASDU) was conceived as a means of encouraging Los Angeles County Sheriff's personnel to enhance their education by either starting or returning to college. LASDU consists of a consortium of colleges and universities brought together to provide a variety of educational opportunities to all members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Who may participate?
LASDU is open to all members and family members of the Sheriff's Department, as well as members of other law enforcement and public service organizations.
How does the program work?
LASDU was designed for working adults. In an effort to provide quality of education and convenience of classroom instruction, Sheriff’s facilities located throughout the County are utilized as alternative venues for our personnel.
How do I get started?
The first step is to register with LASD University. After you register, contact your chosen university directly to register for your classes. You will have to pay for your classes, books, etc. After you’ve completed the class, submit for tuition reimbursement.
You must:
- Create an LASDU user account - Click Here;
- Register with the school of your choice;
- Pay the school for the course;
- Complete the course with a grade of “C” or better;
- Fill out a claim form, attach a copy of your tuition receipt and grade receipt, and submit the package to Fiscal Administration. Click Here the for the Claim for General Education Reimbursement form.
What are the guidelines for tuition reimbursement?
Reimbursement is limited to $500 per class, two classes per semester, and four classes per fiscal year, from an accredited college (the fiscal year is July 1 - June 30). Books and lab fees are reimbursable only for those classes where tuition, books, and lab fees do not exceed $500 (in most cases books and lab fees are only reimbursable for Community College courses). The maximum reimbursement per fiscal year for any employee shall not exceed $2,000. NOTE: Registration, parking, health fees, shipping and handling taxes on textbooks, etc. are not reimbursable.
Please note that educational reimbursement is limited to Sheriff’s Department employees only. Reimbursement is not available to family members and other law enforcement and public service organizations.
What is the cost?
Within the consortium structure, LASDU is able to negotiate with participating colleges and universities for affordable tuition rates. Contact the college of your choice for tuition rates. Educational reimbursement is available to all members of the Sheriff’s Department.
Should I complete my Associate’s degree before transferring to a four year school for a Bachelor’s degree?
Yes. It is highly recommended that you complete your AA or AS degree at a community college before you transfer to a four year college. The tuition cost at a community college is much lower than a four year school (approximately $60 per 3 unit class vs. $700 per 3 unit class at a four year school).
I want to attend a college that is not affiliated with LASD University. Will I still receive tuition reimbursement even though I won’t be attending an affiliated school?
Yes. As long as the school you attend is accredited, you are entitled to reimbursement.
How do I get academic credit for my Basic Academy Training and subsequent training with LASD?
The information below should clarify the issue of obtaining credit at East Los Angeles College (ELAC), or at another educational institution(s) as appropriate.
Sworn Personnel Attending the Sheriff's Academy Prior to 1984
Your academy units should be captured at East Los Angeles College (ELAC). Depending on your class number, you should have between 10 to 15 units of Basic Academy academic credits on your ELAC transcripts.
Sworn Personnel in Academy Classes 223 Through 225
Unfortunately, your academy classes were not affiliated with any college, however you may petition for your units at ELAC. See the end of this document, which details the petitioning process. Upon successful petition, you will have 15 units of Cal State (CSU) transferable units posted to your ELAC transcripts. Depending on the institution, these units generally are viewed as lower division elective units.Sworn Personnel in Academy Classes 226 Through 275
Your academy units were affiliated with Rio Hondo College, and depending on your class number, you should have 10-12 CSU transferable units posted on your Rio Hondo transcripts. In addition, you may have other units at Rio Hondo for certain departmental training classes you attended. See Rio Hondo's website, http://www.riohondo.edu for details on how to obtain copies of your transcripts. LASD's affiliation agreement with Rio Hondo College terminated in 1991.
Sworn Personnel in Academy Classes 276 Through 291
Unfortunately, your academy classes were not affiliated with any college, however you may petition for your units at ELAC. See the end of this document, which details the petitioning process. Upon successful petition, you will have 15 units of Cal State (CSU) transferable units posted to your ELAC transcripts. Depending on the institution, these units generally are viewed as lower division elective units.
Sworn Personnel in Academy Classes 292 to Present
Academy classes 292 through the present, including the phased Deputy Sheriff Trainee classes (excluding any academy classes that went through either College of the Canyons or Antelope Valley College) are affiliated at East Los Angeles College. Depending on your class number and its length, you have Between 10 and 18 academic units on your ELAC transcripts. In addition, you have been earning college credits at ELAC for nearly every departmental training course you have attended, providing that proper documentation was prepared and submitted to ELAC by the Bureau administering such training (for example, Court Services Training, Advanced Officer Training, etc.).
Sworn Personnel Attending North Academy Classes (College of the Canyons)
Your academy college credits are captured on your College of the Canyons transcripts, and you should hold approximately 10 units of credit which can be transferred to elac as elective units and applied towards a degree in Administration of Justice.
How Do I Petition for My Unaffiliated Academy Units?
Contact Patrick Hauser, A.J. Department Chair, at ELAC via email at hauserp@elac.edu after you have located and photocopied either your Basic Academy Post Certificate or your Basic Post Certificate. Either of these will suffice as your proof of completion of the academy. He will mail you a copy of the petition for you to complete and return to him via mail, also enclosing your photocopied certificate. In order to file a petition at ELAC, you must have some amount of units either at ELAC or at another college within the Los Angeles Community College District. There is a 99% chance that you do if you have attended any training offered by LASD during your career.He will file your petition for you with admissions and records, and your units (15 total) should be posted to your official transcripts within 6-8 weeks. You may check your transcripts periodically on-line at http://www.elac.edu via the student information system. Once your units are posted there you can request an official copy of your transcripts that will reflect those units. You may then utilize those units towards Post certificates as well as academic degrees and certificates at ELAC or at other colleges and universities.
Please contact Patrick Hauser via email should you have any questions or concerns regarding this process.
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Educational Reimbursement Program
