Guide to the bachelor's degree in public safety administration

Help keep your community safe with a career in public safety administration. A variety of rewarding careers may be available to those with the right training.

Why Pursue a Degree in Public Safety Administration?

Going into public safety administration means dedicating your career to serving the community. The professional contexts in which you can serve the public are varied: choose among careers in law enforcement, fire prevention, investigation, homeland security and more. The bachelor's degree in public safety administration is the standard recommended qualification for careers in public service, particularly in competitive roles or jobs that required specialized expertise.

Careers for Public Safety Administration Graduates

A formal training program can give you the knowledge you need to enter the public administration field with confidence. A bachelor's degree is often the minimum requirement for many federal-level public safety administration careers, including federal corrections careers. A public safety administration degree can be combined with on-the-job training to expand your skills.

While no degree program can guarantee a particular career or salary, a bachelor's degree in public safety administration is considered adequate preparation for a number of jobs in the field. Use a degree program to boost your resume as you broaden your knowledge.

Graduates of public safety administration programs have the credentials to secure a solid career in the field. Consider these popular public administration careers for bachelor's degree graduates, listed with their mean annual wage, as reported in 2009 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• Managers of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers: $71,680
• Managers of Police and Detectives: $78,580
• Managers of Correctional Officers: $59,810
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators: $65,860
• Private Detectives and Investigators: $47,130

Public safety administration careers offer impressive growth potential. The BLS reports that, between 2008 and 2018, job opportunities for managers of fire fighters are expected to grow 8 percent, jobs for detectives and criminal investigators should grow 17 percent, and jobs for managers of police and detectives will likely grow 8 percent.

Earning an Online Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Administration

Interested in earning a bachelor's degree, but not sure how you'll make the time to travel to campus? An online bachelor's degree in public safety administration may be the answer. For self-motivated students, training online means enjoying the flexibility and freedom of logging on from anywhere to complete your education.

Online and campus-based degree programs in public safety administration feature similar coursework and training. A typical public safety administration degree is likely to include the following coursework:

• Conflict Resolution
• Community Risk Assessment
• Critical Infrastructure Protection
• Business Communication
• Principles of Management

Financial aid opportunities may exist at federal and state levels for public safety administration bachelor's degree programs. Fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your eligibility for federal loan and grant programs. State-based law enforcement scholarships are another popular option; research your state's higher education office for detailed financial aid information.

Looking for related training? Consider online criminal justice degree programs or campus-based homeland security programs. Each offer similar training that may appeal more closely to your career interests. Explore these pages to learn more about the scope of degrees and training offered.

• Degrees by Level