COD is now offering a certificate to become a Public Safety Telecommunicator. Students can complete the Public Safety Telecommunicator certificate program by completing three courses in as little as one semester and learn the techniques of handling emergency situations. This includes working under stress, multi-tasking and quickly making life-saving decisions to serve members of their community.
Students must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. Writing Placement Category One and Reading Placement Category One are required. Successful completion of a background check by a COD approved vendor is required prior to registration.
For more information, follow the registration steps or contact EMS/Fire Science Manager Ryan Lambert at (630) 942-2107 or email lambertr835@cod.edu.
Registration Steps
Become eligible to register for the Public Safety Telecommunicator Certificate program.
Step One: Apply to College of DuPage
If you have not been admitted to College of DuPage, complete the non-refundable $20 College of DuPage General Admissions Application. This application is for general admissions to College of DuPage only.
Step Two: Submit Transcripts
To ensure that all of your eligible credits are evaluated towards the admission requirements, submit all official transcripts from institutions that you have attended. Immediately:
- Submit your official transcript(s) to the Office of Student Records. If College of DuPage is the only institution you have attended, you do not need to request official transcripts.
- Verify receipt of your transcripts. Go to Student Planning and follow the steps under Academic Profile. If you have an international transcript from high school or college, it must first be evaluated.
Step Three: Satisfy the Reading and Writing Requirements
Reading and Writing Requirements are in place to measure your skills to determine your proper course placement. Students must complete the College of DuPage Admissions process listed above and have a student identification number to complete this step. If you have completed FIRE 1183 (previously Fire 2283) Emergency Medical Responder with a grade of “B” or higher, you do not need to complete this step.
- Students have several options to satisfy the Reading and Writing Category One placement test requirements.
- If your official college transcript is on file in the Records office, call the Prerequisite Department at (630) 942-2260 or e-mail your prerequisite request to prereq@cod.edu.
Step Four: Complete a Criminal Background Check
College of DuPage has partnered with CastleBranch.com, a background check service that allows students to purchase their own background checks online. The results of a background check are posted to the CastleBranch website in a secure, tamper-proof environment where the students and the program coordinator can view your background check.
To order your background check, follow these instructions:
- Visit CastleBranch.com
- In the place order box, enter package code: CB39.
- Select a method of payment: Visa, MasterCard or Money Order.
- You will receive a Illinois Criminal Release Form when placing your order and it will be in your CastleBranch To-Do List. Complete and return the Illinois Criminal Release Form by faxing (910) 343-9731 or e-mailing expedite@castlebranch.com.
- Your background check will not be processed until the Illinois Criminal Release Form is received. The form must be physically signed and dated. E-Signatures are not accepted. Follow the instructions provided with the Illinois Criminal Release Form to prevent delays.
Results will be available in approximately 48 to 72 business hours. Depending on where and how many places you have resided, it may take longer for the results. You must wait until your results are completed before you are eligible to register.
*If you previously completed a CastleBranch Background Check for a COD health professions program, it is only valid if it was completed within six months of the registration deadline date.