PWA Mission Statement

Pacific West Academy’s mission is to educate and graduate tactically proficient individuals, as Executive Protection Professionals, while instilling the social responsibilities required to work in the security field.


PWA was formed in 2012 with one basic goal in mind: teach individuals the fundamentals of physical security operations and close protection. PWA’s parent company, Advanced Security Concepts, Inc. (ASC), had found that the majority of applicants trying to break into the security industry, whether veterans of armed forces or not, were lacking basic knowledge required to be a security professional.

Van Nuys – Pacific West Academy Headquarters

Pacific West Academy provides the training you need to be effective in any position in the security and protection fields.

Based on ASC’s years of experience in the field of security, a curriculum was developed for a 104-hour course that would provide the knowledge and certifications required to start a promising career as a protection agent. With the program’s success, it was time to change the mission statement of PWA. It was not enough to train future protection agents; it was PWA’s moral responsibility to aid in the placement of anyone who went through its training program. The goal became finding gainful employment for all students that attended the programs provided by PWA, as well as maintaining a level of education above the industry standard.

In 2016, development of a longer, more extensive and rigorous program began, which was then recognized by the Veterans Administration and received national accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). This program stemmed from the influx of qualified security applicants leaving the military and hoping to stay in similar career fields. With a large knowledge base already in place, the more in-depth course served to further enhance the ability of students to gain employment in security management and executive protection positions, and it also provide a gateway to higher education opportunities in the criminal justice field. Finalized in late 2016, the Certified Executive Security Specialist program began in 2017, maintaining the goal of gainful employment while also drastically improving the level of education offered.

As a veteran-operated company, PWA lays the foundation for transition from the military world to the academic world. The environment at PWA facilitates a transition from the black and white of the military, to the full color spectrum of the civilian world, and prepares students to succeed in an academic environment. Upon completion of programs at PWA, students obtain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed academically, preparing them to move on to institutions of higher education and/or commence careers as protection agents.

Pacific West Academy’s experienced team is comprised of security, armed forces, and law enforcement veterans who have pooled together decades of knowledge and training from various countries and security backgrounds to create the most cutting-edge, tailor-made training programs.


Pacific West Academy, is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). ACCET is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.

ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training) school institution code 1562

1722 N St NW Washington DC, 20036
Phone: (202) 955-1113

ACCET Website

Approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)

According to the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, Pacific West Academy (school code 25-448535) is a private institution and has approval to operate as an institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833, (916) 431-6959. Approval to operate means compliance with state standards.

BPPE Website

Approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE)

Pacific West Academy has been approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education VA (Department of Veterans Affairs): school institution code 25-1902-05.

1227 O Street, Suite 314, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 503-8317

CalVet Website

Approved by the State of California as an Eligible Training Provider (ETPL)

CalJobsState Provider ID: 3129

CalJobs Website

Bureau of Security & Investigative Services Permits:

Private Patrol Operator – 14157
Private Patrol Operator Branch, San Diego – 6254
Los Angeles, Firearms Training Facility – TFF 1305
Los Angeles, Baton Training Facility, – TFB 1250
San Diego, Firearms Training Facility – TFF 1498
San Diego, Baton Training Facility – TFB 1315

BSIS Website

Tennessee Private Protective Services:

Security License # 00012360, Tennessee
State Certified Handgun Training School,- Tennessee Department of Safety

TPPS Website