TSA Associates Expansion Degree Program

Do More with your Certificate!

Did you know that once you earn your certificate, you are eligible to apply to the TSA Associates Expansion Degree Program? The Associates Program (AP) aims to attract and retain employees by creating educational opportunities for career advancement and upward mobility, thereby enhancing the professionalism of the workforce. Since the spring of 2018, over 2,600 employees have earned their TSA Certificate of Achievement in Homeland Security, with more than 6,200 participating in the program.

Training and Development (TD) will fund a second cohort starting in fall 2024. Certificate holders who meet the specified criteria are now eligible to apply for the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Criminal Justice Program at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). TSA will cover the cost of tuition and books for all necessary courses to complete the degree.

Application Qualification Criteria

To qualify to submit an application for the AAS Degree in Criminal Justice at DMACC, an employee must:

• Have successfully completed the TSA Certificate of Achievement in Homeland Security from the Associates program, and include in their application package official transcript(s) or OLC certificate(s) of completion showing the final grade received for each of the 3 courses required to receive the certificate
• Not hold a post-secondary degree (i.e., associate, bachelor, master, or doctorate degree). Individuals with prior college coursework or certificates, which have not yet led to a degree are eligible to apply.
• Be a permanent full- or part-time employee currently occupying one of these positions: TSO, LTSO, STSO, MSTI, ESTI
• Have successfully completed Checkpoint, Checked Baggage or Dual Function Officer Certification while a TSO
• Have no disciplinary and/or adverse actions (Letter of Reprimand, suspension, or disciplinary pay band reduction) in the past 12 months
• Have not been on a performance improvement plan for the last 12 months
• Agree to sign a form to release grades to TSA
• Include in their application packaged Certificates of Completion for 2 required OLC courses, and 4 required writing courses, either through the OLC or Percipio (see the application for a list of all 6 required courses)