Read people. Anticipate threats. Stay ahead of the situation.
The Behavioral Analysis course is one of the most intellectually rich and practically powerful courses in Pacific West Academy’s curriculum. Over 24 hours, students learn to decode human behavior — understanding the psychological and emotional factors that drive aggression, reading nonverbal communication with precision, and applying advanced situational awareness techniques to predict and mitigate threats before they materialize.
In executive protection and high-stakes security environments, the ability to detect a threat before it becomes an incident is the ultimate skill. Behavioral analysis is the discipline that makes this possible. This course provides both the scientific foundation and the practical tools to analyze individuals and environments with trained, systematic eyes.
The program begins with behavior fundamentals — exploring the relationship between nature, nurture, brain chemistry, and emotional states. Students develop a nuanced understanding of the aggression cycle: how it builds, how it escalates, and how it can be interrupted. Practical exercises in anger management scenarios reinforce this knowledge in a hands-on setting.
The second phase focuses on nonverbal communication. Students learn to identify and interpret a wide range of body language signals, including high-power and low-power postures, likability cues, resistance indicators, and pre-aggression behaviors. Behavior analysis awareness drills and practical interaction exercises train students to apply this knowledge in real time.
The course culminates in advanced situational awareness — the integration of observation skills, pattern recognition, and heuristic frameworks to assess environments and individuals at a systemic level. Students emerge with a mental model for threat assessment that is grounded in behavioral science and immediately applicable in the field.
Behavioral Analysis (BEH 1, 2, 3) — Students Will Learn:
- The neuroscience of behavior, emotion, and aggression.
- The aggression cycle and how to interrupt it.
- Nonverbal communication and body language analysis.
- Pre-aggression indicators and resistance cues.
- Situational awareness and pattern recognition.
- Applied heuristics for threat assessment.
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age. Valid identification required.
LOCATION
Van Nuys
DURATION
24 Hours
PRICE
$21,900
QUESTIONS? CALL US
(818) 906-3753
CERTIFIED EXECUTIVE SECURITY SPECIALIST PROGRAM
Program Start Dates
January 5 – March, 2026
February 2 – April 8, 2026
March 16 – May 20, 2026
April 13 – June 17, 2026
May 26 – July 29, 2026
June 22 – August 26, 2026
August 3 – October 7, 2026
August 31 – November 4, 2026
October 12 – December 16, 2026
The Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS) Course is Pacific West Academy’s flagship program which has been approved for post 9-11 VA Benefits.
The CESS program offers classroom and physical training geared toward employment in high-end security positions such as Executive Protection, Residential Protection, Executive Driving, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, etc.
Our staff is comprised of American and Israeli Military Veterans who work to guide our students toward success in high-end security.
It is our goal to assist our students in finding not only job attainment, but gainful employment. Students will participate in a training program that provides hands-on instruction from veterans of U.S. and Israeli Special Forces and Secret Service Operators.
Our team of instructors has adapted their elite military training to provide Executive Protection for high-profile Hollywood celebrities.
ADMISSIONS STEPS:
How Enrollment Works
1. Apply online (use the form below)
2. Admissions contacts you with details, upcoming start dates, and next steps
3. Confirm enrollment and prepare for training (orientation and travel planning)
YOUR FUTURE
Begin Your New Career
Send PWA your information and we’ll contact you about how we can help you take aim at a career in the EP security industry or hone your existing skill set.
CERTIFIED EXECUTIVE SECURITY SPECIALIST PROGRAM
Classes Included in the CESS Program
Executive Protection Fundamentals (EP 1, 2)
This course provides students fundamental security training and a first-hand, detailed understanding of executive protection. Students experience a hands-on approach of high-end, VIP and celebrity protection in the day-to-day civilian environment.
Advanced Executive Protection
The course will cover surveillance and counter surveillance techniques, contractor operations, advancing locations that are frequented by clients and armed reaction drills while protecting a client in high threat situations.
CA BSIS Guard Card
This security training course is the first step in working in a security career. The course is certified through California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) and is California Assembly Bill-compliant, meeting the standards for registered security guards. Upon completion, a student receives state certification as a security officer.
Arrest and Control / OC Spray
An introductory course into arrest and control. This course covers the basics of conflict management, handcuffing, and controlling a suspect while in the performance of duties as a security guard.
CA BSIS Exposed Firearms Permit
Students may earn a State Certification for an exposed firearm permit. Even if licensed or registered in the security field, a person may not carry a gun on duty whether loaded or unloaded ,unless they have issued an exposed firearm permit by the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Permits must be kept on one’s person at all times while on duty. Training provided by Advanced Security Concepts Inc. BSIS TFF #1305 and #1498
Advanced Firearms
The Advanced Handgun Shooting Tactics Course is designed to test and reinforce the fundamental tools necessary for scenarios that security personnel are most likely to encounter. The skills learned are tied together with stress-based scenario-training utilizing airsoft, UTM and live munitions. The course is instructed following Israeli Tactics doctrines.
Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC)
This course provides students with both in-class instruction and practical application in vehicle operation. Students will drive and practice high-speed maneuvers and techniques relevant in both law enforcement and executive protection scenarios.
Behavioral Analysis
Students learn about human behavior and aggression. Students will study how to analyze behavior patterns and techniques that contribute to improving human relations that help prevent aggression at the earliest levels. Students will also learn pre event indicators to possible attacks based on human behavior patterns.
Operational & Supervisory Skills
Students learn both fundamental and advanced skills utilized by executive protection supervisors to plan and execute security details. Students gain first-hand knowledge by planning an entire security detail based on real-time information and destinations from a mock client provided to them.
Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
This course introduces evidence-based, how-to-respond-to and how-to-care-for procedures for patients in a civilian tactical environment. It is designed to decrease preventable deaths in a tactical situation. The course presents the three phases of tactical care. Our instructors are certified by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).
Taser
A security training course that teaches the student how to utilize a Taser as a non-lethal method of self-defense. Curriculum is broken into three sections: lecture, demonstration and scenario method.
Combatives
This course is an introduction to hand-to-hand combat techniques. The course is tailored toward techniques and tactics that an executive protection agent can use should the occasion arise. This program is a conglomeration of multiple fighting disciplines including Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Boxing and additional redirection drills. This course will be spread throughout the training program.
AHA CPR / AED / First Aid
Learn the skills and abilities to effectively administer life-saving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques as a first responder. During the course, an American Heart Association Instructor works with each student to complete their first aid training, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) skills practice and testing.
Job Placement / Résumé Writing
Upon completion of this course, students graduate with a completed and revised professional résumé and are then able to walk into an interview confidently. The course uses hands-on practice through mock interviews in addition to physical résumé writing in an interactive and productive setting.
Professional Behavior and Sexual Harassment
This course covers Federal and California Laws regarding the prevention of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation in employment.
Chemical Agents
Get certified for OC (Oleoresin capsicum) pepper spray. Student learns the skills to effectively carry a chemical agent and receives et hands-on training and experience with chemical agents.
Course Schedule & School Calendar
LOS ANGELES LOCATION
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Certified Executive Security Specialist (CESS)
Program Duration: 348 hours
Program Cost: $21,900.00
Lodging Assistance Available on Request
Or call today (818) 906-3753
View Our Other Programs: Certified Protection Specialist (CPS) |Comprehensive Security Training