Build Confidence. Enhance Awareness. Learn Practical Safety Skills.
UTPD's Personal Safety Training provides hands-on instruction designed to help members of the UT community increase their awareness, build confidence, and develop practical skills for everyday situations.
Led by UTPD Defensive Tactics instructors, this beginner-friendly training emphasizes prevention, situational awareness, and simple self-protection techniques that participants can apply in real-world environments. No prior experience is necessary for our classes.
Request a Training
Interested in scheduling a Personal Safety Training for your group?
Complete the online request form to submit you organization's information, preferred dates, and training preferences. A member of the UTPD team will contact you to discuss availability, preferences, and scheduling.
What You'll Learn
Topics may include:
- Situational awareness and threat recognition
- Personal safety strategies and prevention techniques
- Confidence-building through practical instruction
- Basic self-protection and escape techniques
- Simple defensive skills appropriate for everyday situations
Training content may be adjusted to meet the needs of your group or organization.
Meet Your Instructors
UTPD's Defensive Tactics Instructor Team consists of certified officers dedicated to teaching practical, effective personal safety skills to members of the University of Texas community.
With experience in law enforcement training and community engagement, the team delivers instruction focused on awareness, prevention, confidence, and practical techniques that help participants feel more prepared in everyday situations. Through interactive, supportive, and engaging instruction, our instructors work to empower members of the UT community with knowledge and skills that contribute to a safer campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a class?
Personal Safety Training is available to UT-affiliated groups and organizations, including student organizations, academic and administrative units, athletics teams, student programs, residence halls, and faculty or staff groups.
How do I request a class?
Complete the online class request form and provide your organization information, estimated number of participants, preferred class type, and at least two requested date options. A UTPD Defensive Tactics instructor will contact you to discuss availability and scheduling.
Is there a cost for the training?
No. Personal Safety Training is provided free of charge to eligible UT-affiliated groups and organizations.
How long is the class?
Classes typically last approximately two hours.
How many participants are required?
A minimum group size of 15 participants is requested. Please note: While we recommend a minimum group size of 15 participants to support an effective training experience, we encourage groups of all sizes to submit a request. If you have questions or unique circumstances, we'd be happy to discuss available options.
Is prior experience required?
No. The training is beginner-friendly and designed for participants of all experience and ability levels. Whether you're learning these skills for the first time or looking to reinforce existing knowledge, the class provides a supportive environment to build confidence and enhance personal safety awareness.
Can the training be customized for our group?
Yes. Training content may be adjusted based on the needs of your group or organization. Class options may include hands-on personal safety instruction, a safety presentation, or a combination of both. We recognize that every group has different goals, so we strive to customize each class to provide the most relevant and valuable training experience possible.