A latch module for an electronic access system that provides controlled access to a secure area, the latch module comprising: a housing defining an interior space; a motor positioned within the interior space of the housing, the motor having an output shaft extending along a first axis; a lock bar coupled to the motor, positioned within the interior space of the housing, and extending along a second axis offset from and parallel to the first axis, the lock bar being configured to translate from a retracted position to an extended position along the second axis by action of the motor; a rotatable member that is rotatably coupled to the housing, the rotatable member having an opening formed in an exterior surface thereof, the opening being sized to receive a locking end of the lock bar in the retracted position of the lock bar, wherein the locking end of the lock bar extends along the second axis that is parallel to and offset from the first axis; and a pawl either mounted to or extending from the rotatable member, the pawl being moveable between a locked position to prevent access to the secured area and an unlocked position to permit access to the secured area, wherein the pawl is in the locked position when the locking end of the lock bar is positioned within the opening of the rotatable member; wherein the lock bar prevents rotation of the rotatable member when the lock bar is in the locked position, thereby preventing movement of the pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position; wherein the lock bar permits rotation of the rotatable member when the motor is activated to move the lock bar to the retracted position, thereby permitting movement of the pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position; a cam non-rotatably connected to the output shaft of the motor, the cam having at least one tooth having a curved surface; and a pin fixed to the lock bar, the pin being meshed with the at least one tooth of the cam such that rotation of the cam causes translation of the pin and lock bar with respect to the opening of the rotatable member. a housing defining an interior space; a motor positioned within the interior space of the housing, the motor having an output shaft extending along a first axis; a lock bar coupled to the motor, positioned within the interior space of the housing, and extending along a second axis offset from and parallel to the first axis, the lock bar being configured to translate from a retracted position to an extended position along the second axis by action of the motor; a rotatable member that is rotatably coupled to the housing, the rotatable member having an opening formed in an exterior surface thereof, the opening being sized to receive a locking end of the lock bar in the retracted position of the lock bar, wherein the locking end of the lock bar extends along the second axis that is parallel to and offset from the first axis; and a pawl either mounted to or extending from the rotatable member, the pawl being moveable between a locked position to prevent access to the secured area and an unlocked position to permit access to the secured area, wherein the pawl is in the locked position when the locking end of the lock bar is positioned within the opening of the rotatable member; wherein the lock bar prevents rotation of the rotatable member when the lock bar is in the locked position, thereby preventing movement of the pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position; wherein the lock bar permits rotation of the rotatable member when the motor is activated to move the lock bar to the retracted position, thereby permitting movement of the pawl from the locked position to the unlocked position; a cam non-rotatably connected to the output shaft of the motor, the cam having at least one tooth having a curved surface; and a pin fixed to the lock bar, the pin being meshed with the at least one tooth of the cam such that rotation of the cam causes translation of the pin and lock bar with respect to the opening of the rotatable member.