How to Get a Master's Degree in Public Safety

In the past two decades, local, state, and federal agencies have increasingly recognized the importance of skilled professionals educated in public safety. Floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and other natural disasters and criminal activity require people trained to help communities prevent, respond to, and recover from incidents that compromise the public's well being.

A master's degree in social science with a focus on public safety is often targeted toward professionals working in criminal justice, emergency management, and public safety who wish to advance their careers. If you are committed to working in the field, an MS in public safety management could provide you with the training you need to fulfill your career ambitions.

Whether you decide to earn a master's degree online or on campus, use this guide to help you identify your goals, research programs, and apply to the schools that best meet your needs.

Overview of the Master's Degree in Public Safety Management

Public safety has been part of our society for centuries, but master's degrees in public safety management are relatively new to the world of academia. The development of the field is the result, in part, of agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), promoting college-based education to prepare professionals to work in emergency and disaster management. Furthermore, September 11, 2001 commenced a new era of awareness about threats facing the American public and the need to link academic research to the performance of police professionals, emergency responders, and others working in the field of public safety.

Because public safety is a nascent academic discipline, trends in the field are difficult to track. However, because the public safety and criminal justice profession is expected to grow over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, new public safety programs are likely to emerge as professionals seek additional training and academic credentials.

Degree Options for a Master's Degree in Public Safety Management

Master's degrees in public safety management usually take the following forms:

• Master of Science (MS) in public safety management
• Master of Arts (MA) in public safety management
• Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in public safety management

The MS and MA degrees are virtually interchangeable; each program is distinct in its requirements (thesis, for example) and orientation (practitioner or researcher). The Master of Professional Studies is a practitioner's degree, focused on training professionals seeking to apply a deeper knowledge base to their work. Because the academic study of public safety management is rooted in the professional development interests of state and government agencies, most programs are tailored to practitioners working in the field.

The study of public safety is often linked to criminal justice and emergency management. You may find that some other degrees, such as an MS in criminal justice or MS in emergency management, offer a specialization in public safety, meaning that many degree options are available to you in the area of public safety management. In order to choose the best degree for you, explore each program's orientation, specializations, and requirements.

What You Can Do with an MA, MS, or MPA in Public Safety Management

Master's programs in public safety management prepare professionals to hold positions as superintendents and chiefs of police, law enforcement consultants, fire service agency managers, emergency response administrators, and other management-level roles.

After you earn a master's degree online or on campus, you might be able to:

• Oversee an emergency medical services operation
• Manage a security company
• Perform as the director of security at an airport
• Manage retail-focused security policies and programs for a large company
• Work for a government agency, such as FEMA
• Coordinate emergency management programs for a town, state, or private institution

Whichever career path you choose, you can find opportunities for employment at the local, state, and federal level.

Researching and Applying to Public Safety Master's Degree Programs

Choosing the right graduate program is a big decision--one that requires research and personal assessment. If you have decided that an MS in public safety management is the right path for you, follow these steps to research your options and identify criteria that can help you make the best choice.

Step One: Choose a Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree in Public Safety Management

One of the first decisions you have to make is whether you want a campus, online, or hybrid degree format. There are advantages to each.

• An online master's degree program is a format chosen by many professionals who want to advance their education while keeping their jobs. An online master's degree is usually offered in a flexible format, so students can take classes in the evenings and on weekends. If you work as a police officer or emergency medical technician and have an erratic work schedule, for example, you may find that an online graduate degree program is more accommodating. Students and teachers communicate through Web conferencing, discussion boards, and other technologies. Comfort with computer technology is a must, as is the ability to manage your time effectively and learn independently.
• Traditionally, a campus master's degree program offers the best preparation for future graduate work and a career in academia. It can also be a superior format for those who learn best through face-to-face interaction and discussion. Many campus programs are full time, which can be an appealing option if you want to immerse yourself in your graduate studies while putting your career on hold.
• A hybrid master's degree program combines online courses with face-to-face residencies. Students can benefit from one-on-one time with instructors and classmates as well as experience the flexibility offered by online courses.

Whether you choose to earn a master's degree online or on campus, most master's degree students find that graduate study requires a level of commitment to your education beyond what you experienced as an undergraduate. Most master's degrees in public safety management require 1 to 2 years to complete.

Step Two: Find the Right Master of Public Safety Management Program

1. Identify Your Goals and Educational Needs

Your search for master's degree programs can be more efficient if you first take the time to identify your goals. Consider the following:

• What are your career objectives? Are you looking for a campus or online master's degree program that enables you to build skills to apply to your current career? If so, look for programs that provide you with opportunities to blend your work experience with academic requirements, such as practicums.
• How important is mentorship, training, and career counseling? If you intend to switch careers through your campus or online master's in public safety management, you may want to find schools that complement academic scholarship with on-the-job training or offer strong faculty mentorships and career counseling.
• What personal factors are relevant to your decision? Do you need to complete a campus or online master's degree in one year, or have a specific amount of money to dedicate to your graduate public safety management program? Keep a list of any special features you need.
• Campus or online? Knowing whether you want a campus or online master's in public safety Management will help you narrow your options.

Use your answers to these questions to make a list of your baseline criteria for an MS in Public Safety management.

2. Develop a List of Accredited Graduate Schools in Public Safety Management

Now you can begin searching for accredited programs. Accreditation ensures that the school has met standards of excellence set by an authorizing body. Most financial aid is only available for accredited programs.

• Through its Higher Education Program, FEMA offers "The College List," which includes a directory of more than 120 master's programs in public safety management and related fields.
• U.S. News & World Report ranks the best social sciences and humanities schools and offers tips and statistics for graduate work in the social sciences.
• The U.S. Department of Education offers a searchable online database that includes both accredited institutions and approved accreditation agencies.
• WorldWideLearn.com allows you to browse master's programs by subject, location or (for campus-based programs) location.

3. Explore Academic Programs in Depth

Now you want to gather the details for each of the schools that has caught your interest. Consider the following features when evaluating graduate programs in public safety management:

Specializations are common at a graduate degree level. Specializations within the field of public safety include:

• Crime prevention
• Crisis management
• Disaster preparedness and emergency management
• Geographic information systems
• Homeland security
• Homicide
• Policies in safety and justice
• Prisoner re-entry
• Public safety systems and law
• Risk analysis
• Terrorism
• Traffic safety

The specialization you choose should be based on your career goals and personal interests.

When determining the quality of a campus or online master's in public safety management, ask the following questions:

• Do faculty members hold PhDs or have impressive work experience?
• Does the program have a proven track record? If it is new, is it well-organized and comparable to other programs?
• What is the program's reputation among students and professionals in the field of public safety?
• Will the program prepare you to reach your career objectives?
• Is the program competitive?
• Does the program prepare students for good jobs?

Consider the program's cost and opportunities for grants and fellowships.

What are the school's admission requirements? Some master's programs in public safety management require minimum GPA and GRE scores. Sometimes these requirements are waived if you have extraordinary work experience or other professional expertise; many public safety programs value on-the-job experience.

Does the campus offer any special resources for graduate students in the field of public safety, such as networking opportunities with state or federal agencies, or career counseling? If you intend to earn a master's degree online, does the school employ state-of-the-art technology?

Resources

• Schools' websites often offer extensive information about program requirements, faculty expertise, graduate placements, admission requirements, and more.
• Campus visits are invaluable to gain first-hand knowledge about graduate schools in public safety management. If you decide to earn a master's degree online, ask the school to put you in touch with faculty and current students.
• Academic journals can keep you abreast of current research and who's who in the field of public safety, and steer you in the direction of high-quality public safety management master's degree programs. Try the following titles, for starters:
  
  

  *Awareness: Journal of Public Safety Studies in America
  *Journal of Emergency Management
  *Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  *The Public Safety Chronicles

Step Three: Apply to Master's Degree Programs in Public Safety Management

Begin the application process early to spare yourself any last-minute stress. If you need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), allow yourself plenty of time; it can take awhile for the results to be processed and sent to your school.

1. Gather Application Materials

Carefully review the admission requirements for each public safety management master's degree program. Many schools require the following:

• Statement of purpose
• 2 or 3 letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from each institution attended
• Official GRE scores
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if required
• Application fee

2. Apply for Financial Aid

Do not wait until you are accepted to a program to apply for financial aid. Applying early is an important step in the financial aid. Financial aid is dependent on eligibility, and you need to do some research to determine which options are available to you.

• Be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Information from this form is used to determine your eligibility for aid.
• Some schools offer fellowships and scholarships to graduate students. These aid packages can include teaching assistantships and tuition waivers.
• Corporations and private foundations offer a variety of sponsorships, research grants, scholarships, and loans.
• Federal and state government agencies offer scholarships and loans.

Step Four: Prepare for Your Master's Degree in Public Safety Management

You can get a jumpstart on your future as a graduate student by familiarizing yourself with your academic community and research in the field. Build your expertise in public safety management by:

• Reading academic journals and other college publications in public safety management
• Attending academic and professional conferences
• Joining academic and professional associations

Lastly, having a clear career goal in mind can help ensure your success in graduate school. Visualize your future career, and remember that your campus or online master's degree could propel you into a lucratrive career in public safety management.

Sources

• Capella University, Public Safety Leadership specialization
• Emergency Management Magazine, Emergency Management Training: How to Find the Right Program, by Bob Jaffin
• FEMA Emergency Management Institute, FEMA Emergency Management Higher Education Program
• George Washington University, Security and Safety Leadership
• Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Graduate Programs in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Lewis University, The Lewis University Online Master of Science in Public Safety Administration
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives
• Villanova University, Applying to Graduate School