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School of Professional Studies

Public Safety

  • Concentration Curriculum

    Bachelor of Science Professional Studies with a concentration in Public Safety


    Course Outline
    120 Credit Hours 
    Professional Core (21 hrs)

    The student will complete their General Education core of 41 hours and a series of Professional core classes that will prepare them to move on to their major selection concentration.

    General Education courses (41 hours)
    English Composition - 6 hours
    Oral Communication -3 hours
    Mathematics - 3 hours
    Literature - 3 hours
    American History - 6 hours
    Humanities - 6 hours
    Natural Science - 8 hours
    Social/Behavioral Science - 6 hours

    Professional Core
    Select 7 courses from the following (21 hours)

    BMGT 3510 - Management & Organizational Behavior (3)
    BMGT 3720 - Business Communication I (3)
    COMM 3000 - Computer-Mediated Communication (3)
    COMM 3030 - Principles of Event Planning (3)
    COMM 3560 - Intercultural Communication (3)
    ENGL 3250 – Professional Communication (3)
    LIST 3093 - Service Learning (3)
    LIST 3100 - Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving (3)
    LIST 3300 – Workplace Etiquette (3)
    LIST 3410 - Team Building/Workplace Dynamics (3)
    LIST 3500 - Non-Profit Leadership (3)
    LIST 4050 - American Sign Language I (3)
    LIST 4090 - American Sign Language II (3)
    LIST 4093 – Special Topics & Leadership (3)
    LIST 4220 - Professional & Personal Integrity (3)
    LIST 4710 - Workplace Conflict/Resolution (3)
    LIST 4850 - Topics in Organizational Development (3)
    MATH 3070 - Statistical Methods I (3)
    PM 4120 - Organizational Leadership (3)
    RELS 3420 - Religious Diversity/Workplace (3)
    SPAN 3550 – Latin America: Countries & People (3)
    SOC 3910 - Intro to Social Research (3)

    Major Selection Concentration Core (15 hours)
    Select 5 courses from the following 

    PRST 3000 - ST: Intro to Emergency Management (3)
    PRST 4920 - Surviving an Active Shooter (3)
    PRST 4921 - Intelligence Gathering (3)
    PRST 4922 - Managing Emergency Volunteers (3)
    PRST 4923 - Science of Contact Tracing (3)
    PRST 4924 - Biological Event Readiness (3)
    PRST 4830 - ST: Leadership & Prep for Traumatic Events I, II (3)
    PRST 4831 - ST: Understanding Mental Health (3)
    LIST 3500 - Non-Profit Leadership (3)
    CJ 3640 - Cybercrime (3)
    CJ 3650 - Youth & Society (3)
    CJ 4100 - Probation & Parole (3)
    CJ 4660 - Corrections (3)

    Electives (40 hours)

    Students will complete 34 hours of any level electives and 6 hours of upper division electives

    PRST 4995 - Culminating project (3 hours)

    The Culminating project is a final research paper or real world project in the student’s area of study.

    Select a Minor from the following (15-18 hours)

    Leadership*
    Criminal Justice*
    Business Management*
    Social Science*
    Caregiving
    Project Management for Professionals
    Event Planning*
    Communication Studies*
    Religious Studies*

    *completed on campus

What is a Public Safety degree?

A public safety degree equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to address various challenges in emergency management leadership, including responses to traumatic events, cybercrimes, biological threats, and the complexities of readiness. Students learn how to effectively coordinate resources and personnel to mitigate risks and respond to crises efficiently. Courses cover topics such as surviving active shooter situations, intelligence gathering, and the science of contact tracing, providing a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of public safety. Graduates are prepared to play pivotal roles in safeguarding communities and ensuring the resilience of society in the face of diverse threats and emergencies.

What can I do with a Public Safety degree?

With a public safety degree, individuals can pursue various careers in fields related to emergency management, law enforcement, homeland security, and public health.

1. Emergency Management Specialist: Coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts, developing emergency plans, and conducting training exercises.

2. Law Enforcement Officer: Serving as a police officer, detective, or federal agent to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and maintain public safety.

3. Firefighter: Responding to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies, conducting fire prevention activities, and educating the public on fire safety.

4. Homeland Security Specialist: Analyzing security threats, implementing measures to protect critical infrastructure, and ensuring national security.

5. Public Health Administrator: Developing and implementing programs to prevent and respond to public health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

6. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic: Providing medical care and transportation to individuals in emergency situations, such as accidents or medical crises.

7. Disaster Recovery Coordinator: Overseeing the long-term recovery efforts following natural disasters or other emergencies, including coordinating resources and services for affected communities.

8. Intelligence Analyst: Gathering and analyzing information to assess security threats, support decision-making in emergency situations, and enhance public safety measures.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other career paths within the broad field of public safety that individuals with a degree in this field can pursue.

Career Opportunities for Public Safety

Public Safety

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