The Private Security and Protection program is a two-year associate degree program consisting of four semesters under the Property Protection and Security Department. The Private Security and Protection program was launched in 2013 at Acıpayam Vocational School under the Property Protection and Security Department. The program began actively offering education in the fall semester of the 2014-2015 academic year and is still ongoing. However, in order to register for the program, applicants must meet the conditions specified in paragraphs d, e, and f of Article 10 of the “Law No. 5188 on Private Security Services” and Article 18 of the “Regulation on the Implementation of Law No. 5188 on Private Security Services.”
On the other hand, the program has undergone three curriculum changes during this period: the first in 2016, the second in 2021, and the third in 2022. The 2021 curriculum change was made in accordance with the joint decision taken at a meeting held by the General Directorate of Security, Special Security Inspection Department, with the participation of program representatives from 38 universities in Turkey. Thus, both the courses that must be included in accordance with Law No. 5188 on Private Security Services have been reviewed, and curriculum differences have been eliminated to improve the quality and standard of education for students who will be employed as private security officers. In addition, another innovation introduced in line with the decision taken at the meeting is the signing of a protocol with the Provincial Police Department's Special Security Branch. Thus, in 2020, for the first time, the Special Security Branch Directorate provided firearms training to students who requested it, enabling them to obtain their Armed Private Security Officer certificates. The curriculum change made in 2022 was implemented in line with the recommendation of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the decision taken by our university senate to transition to the 3+1 Education Model. In this regard, program students will receive three semesters of theoretical education and one semester of practical training (Vocational Training in Business). Our program has actively transitioned to the 3+1 Education Model as of the Fall Semester of 2022-2023.