Bachelor’s in Public Safety Administration Program Guide

A degree in public administration and safety does more than equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve and protect your community. It can also lead to high-paying jobs in both the public and private sectors. For example, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) estimates that the median firefighter earned $49,080 in 2017, well above the median salary for all other occupations that year. Police and detectives can earn even more, with a median salary approaching $63,000 per year. Emergency management directors, however, boasted the highest median salary at nearly $73,000 annually.

While you can access some of these professional opportunities with a high school diploma, a bachelor’s in the field opens the door to even more lucrative roles in public safety management and leadership. An undergraduate public safety degree also allows you to apply to law enforcement jobs with the federal government or apply to graduate school in order to earn a master’s in public safety administration.

Entry-level jobs in law enforcement and firefighting usually require a high school diploma. Some local governments may even hire emergency management directors with high school education, provided they have extensive professional experience. But advancement in the field of public safety almost always requires a bachelor’s degree (or higher).

During your first and second year in an undergraduate program, expect to take general education courses in areas like math, science, communication, and the humanities. You will also take introductory coursework for your major, covering subjects such as public safety planning, legal issues and public policy, criminal justice management, and issues in disaster response.

As you advance in your program, you can begin to customize your learning by selecting a formal concentration or choosing a unique set of electives. Depending on your personal and professional interests, you may explore topics like terrorism, white collar crime, public financial management, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced fire administration.

In addition to the knowledge and skills you develop in the classroom, a public safety degree can give you a clear competitive edge over other professionals in the field. For example, many schools recommend students complete an internship as part of their program, allowing them the opportunity to gain real-world experience at law enforcement and emergency management agencies. These programs can also help you grow your professional network. Throughout your career, you can call upon this network to connect you with advancement opportunities or provide insight on how to solve challenges that arise in the course of your work.

With a public safety degree in hand, you can take on a variety of roles in public service. For example, you may hope to pursue a job in federal law enforcement or take on a leadership role in fire service, such as battalion, assistant, or deputy chief. Or perhaps rather than working for a particular public safety agency, you may hope to coordinate the efforts of many first responders as an emergency response director. Regardless of the career path you choose, jobs in public safety require exceptional communication, decision-making, and leadership skills, not to mention physical stamina and strength.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Many schools offer public safety degrees, so choosing a program can seem daunting. To help get a better sense of your priorities and narrow your scope of options, try asking yourself some of the questions below.

Do you want to attend an online or on-campus program? Online public safety degrees offer working professionals and individuals with family obligations the opportunity to continue their education on their own schedule. Some students, however, may prefer the structure and support available through in-person programs.

How long will your program take? Full-time students can usually earn their bachelor’s degree in four years, but part-time students may require more time to meet their graduation requirements. If you want to graduate sooner, research programs with accelerated tracks or generous credit transfer policies.

What can you afford? Tuition can vary considerably from program to program, and you also need to factor in other educational expenses like books, room and board, and fees. Earning an associate degree from a community college can reduce the overall cost of your education.

Do you hope to specialize in a particular subject? You may, for instance, want to study terrorism in order to prepare for a career in homeland security, but not all programs feature coursework in this area. Check your program’s curriculum and available electives closely before deciding.

Finally, where is your school located? While not as significant a factor for online learners, students who plan to study on-campus should consider the cost of living in their school’s community, as well as job opportunities for themselves or members of their family.

Accreditation ensures that schools and programs meet certain educational standards and prepare their graduates for careers in the field of public safety. If you attend an unaccredited program, you may not qualify for federal financial aid. In addition, other schools and future employers may not recognize your degree.

Three primary kinds of accreditation exist: regional, national, and programmatic. Most nonprofit colleges and universities receive regional accreditation, generally considered the most prestigious of the three forms. For-profit colleges often receive national accreditation. Programmatic accreditors work within a particular discipline, such as engineering or family therapy.

In the field of public safety, the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress–Degree Assembly (IFSAC–DA) serve as the primary programmatic accreditors.

Search the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s online directory to confirm that your program has received either regional, national, NASPAA, or IFSAC-DA accreditation.

To apply to bachelor’s in public safety administration programs, you must first have a high school diploma or GED. Schools may also request that you submit your professional resume, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and standardized test scores as part of your application package. Schools also typically charge a small application fee.

After submitting your application, an admissions officer may reach out to schedule an interview, either in-person or remotely. An interview gives you the chance to provide additional context to your application materials, so prepare.

When ready to make their decision, a program can either admit you, deny your application, or place you on a “wait-list,” which means that you may be admitted if another student drops out of the program before it begins. Plan to apply to at least three programs to improve the odds that at least one extends an offer of admission.

Your undergraduate experience depends largely on the program you choose. For example, some programs may feature specializations within the broader field of public safety, allowing you the opportunity to prepare for specific careers. Other programs may offer electives, giving students the chance to customize their learning as they see fit. Tuition and the time required to graduate can also vary considerably across programs.

Many public safety administration programs feature similar coursework, especially as you work to complete your general education requirements and take introductory classes for your major. As you advance in your program, you can expect to have greater flexibility in designing your own course of study. Below, you will find five courses commonly offered in these programs.

Most bachelor’s programs consist of 120 credits. Full-time students can earn their public safety degree in about four years. Part-time students may need more time to meet all of their graduation requirements, however.

Some students can earn their degree even faster. For example, many programs allow you to apply previously earned college-level credit towards your bachelor’s. If you already have an associate degree in a relevant field, such as criminal justice, you can apply 60 credits and graduate in as little as two years.

In addition, some online programs feature accelerated tracks. Here, students can advance through their curriculum as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material. Students with relevant professional experience may even test out of certain introductory courses.

For students balancing their education with a full-time job or family obligations, an accelerated course of study can seem particularly alluring. That said, exercise caution when considering this approach, as you may fall behind in your studies or experience unmanageable levels of stress.

The cost of a public safety degree depends on several factors. For example, public universities often charge less than private institutions, especially if you qualify for in-state tuition rates. Some groups of students, such as military personnel or the families of service members, may also receive discounted tuition.

Generally speaking, you can expect to pay $100-$500 per credit hour for an undergraduate public safety degree. For a 120-credit degree, you may pay $12,000-$60,000 in total tuition.

Don’t forget to factor in other educational expenses as well, such as room and board, books and course materials, and fees associated with on-campus services and activities. While online students can often avoid many of these expenses, schools may charge distance learners a technology fee per credit hour or class.

Paying for your education begins by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After completing the FAFSA, the federal government can determine if you qualify for grants, fellowships, student loans, or work-study jobs. You should also research private scholarships. Remember, while you do not have to pay back money received in the form of grants, scholarships, or work-study earnings, you must pay back student loans and any interest that has accrued.

The ED offers grants, fellowships, student loans, and work-study opportunities to help students finance their public safety administration degree. It also provides information on how to find private scholarships.

Authored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Response Frameworks offer students insight into how the federal government coordinates with local actors to respond to all types of disasters and emergencies.

The FBI Student Center provides resources for students interested in careers in federal law enforcement. Through this portal, undergraduate and graduate students can apply to several paid internship programs.

The Department of Homeland Security offers a similar resource for students considering jobs in emergency preparation and response. Students can explore possible careers and apply to both scholarship and internship programs.

Regardless of your area of concentration, you must know how to write well in order to earn a public safety degree. The Purdue OWL features writing guidance specifically for students, including how to structure an academic paper and cite sources.

As you prepare to apply to jobs in public safety administration, consider joining a professional organization. These groups not only provide significant member benefits, but they can also help advance your career. For example, many of these organizations host events to help public safety professionals network, share best practices, and learn about the latest research from the field. They may also provide free or low-cost training and continuing education opportunities. Many groups also advertise job openings, provide career guidance resources, or even match recent graduates with mentors.