Online Public Safety Management Degrees
Ask a Question
A career in public safety management entails great rewards for committed, hardworking individuals who are dedicated to protecting their community. The primary objective is to enforce principles that safeguard citizens. Professionals in this field use their expertise in a variety of ways and they are often employed in a number of settings, including hospitals, health centers, factories, government agencies, airports, and office buildings. Educational programs are generally offered as associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees.
Public safety management is an industry that is focused on working to protect society at all costs. Professionals in this arena are responsible for making public places more enjoyable and comfortable, along with ensuring that spaces are accessible for disabled individuals. Additionally, workers plan escape routes in case of potential natural disasters and develop centers that provide enable citizens to report suspicious activities. They may also dispatch the proper amount and kind of assistance needed to take care of an emergency.
Management professionals are expected to have solid communication skills, leadership qualities, and they must be excellent critical thinking skills. They must also know how to think fast on their feet, observe intently and plan accordingly. Since they often head the hiring, training and firing process within their company, it is important for them to possess superior judgment skills. Careers in this industry are often challenging, as professionals must simultaneously manage budgets, personnel, and plans of action. Lack of funds or workers can make it difficult to run operations and requires intense problem-solving methods to overcome shortages.
Featured Accredited Schools Offering Online Public Safety Management Degrees
- All
- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctorate
- Certification
Learn more about Kaplan University - Legal Programs
What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Nonprofit Management: Many individuals may choose to specialize in managing public safety in the nonprofit sector. They may plan, direct and coordinate endeavors. (BLS)
- Emergency Management: Professionals in emergency management make decisions that influence emergency planning in case of natural disasters, hazard identification and homeland security methods.
- Fire Department Administrator: Managers in this field oversee the daily operations at local fire departments and ensure crises involving fires are tended to in a timely manner.
- Police Department Administrator: The division of police administration supervises the activities of a police department and verifies there are adequate resources for personnel at all times.
- Security Manager: Many companies hire management for security guard teams to recruit, hire and oversee personnel.
What degree levels are available?
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
- Doctoral Degree: 4-5 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
Aspiring public safety managers can obtain degrees at various levels. The educational path is each individual's prerogative and should suffice, as long as the degree comes from an accredited school. The Distance Education and Training Council is a national accrediting agency that recognizes many online degree programs, along with six regional accreditation councils, such as the Middle States Association for Schools and Colleges (MSA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Many specialized public safety programs are also acknowledged by agencies, such as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
The associate degree in public safety management requires about two years of full-time study. Programs may be offered at junior or community colleges. Students learn the basic concepts of public safety and how to manage behind-the-scenes activities for organizations. A four-year bachelor's degree in public safety management is offered at colleges and public universities. Individuals are exposed to a broader knowledge of public safety management. The program addresses topics in urban planning, fire science technology, and community services processes. The prerequisite to being accepted in the program is a high school diploma or GED.
Those who want to pursue a master's degree in public safety management must be bachelor's degree recipients and can expect to be involved in about two years of full time study. The program is comprised of a mixture of public policy and research methodology. Students delve into topics on criminal justice, business management and homeland security. A doctoral degree in public safety management is the highest level of education in this industry. Students normally need four to five years to complete the program which focuses on in-depth quantitative research in areas, such as governmental relations, international security and economical or environmental laws. Individuals who plan to pursue careers in research or teaching should consider this degree program.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that many states require individuals, particularly communications dispatchers, to become certified. Specific guidelines vary by locale. Many professionals get certified through the Association of Public-Safety Communications.
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
A public safety manager will likely work for the government, with the emergency management association, police forces, and fire safety forces of small and large communities. Therefore, one of the first classes that students will take as part of a training program is government structure. In order to work within the government, students need to first understand how it is organized. Further courses that will be included in public safety management degree programs will probably be more business oriented. Public administration courses, for example, are essential to any public safety management education program. Students will study how the financial particulars of public administration are organized and how the tax process works.
A class in finance is also critical to the success of a public safety manager. Financial management courses train students to manage budgets, order materials, and effectively handle the financial elements of managing a public safety organization. Other public safety management courses might be directed at certain types of public safety organizations. Police science classes, for example, will incorporate the study of police organization structure, law, and safety. Fire science courses will be similar, except that they will be directed at the study of firefighting rather than police work.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
An individual who chooses to pursue a public safety management degree program online will be able to complete all necessary curricular requirements online, without the need for any on-site training.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
Some public safety management graduates eventually find their niche in emergency management. The Federal Emergency Management Association is the most famous emergency management program, but there are also state and small community organizations that are dedicated to preparing for and responding to emergencies- ranging from earthquakes to terrorist attacks.
Social work degrees are similar to public safety management degrees in some ways, and graduates of social work programs are often able to hold the same positions as public safety management graduates. They may work with police, fire, or other government organizations. However, the degree program that is perhaps most directly related to public safety management is public administration. Graduates of public administration degree programs are able to work for a variety of government institutions.
