Public Safety Management, B.A.

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Description

The Public Safety Management major prepares students to become effective leaders in local fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency medical services as well as state and federal agencies. Students learn about engaging with community members, managing budgets, and working with other agencies.

This major works well with associate degrees in fields like law enforcement and fire-emergency medical services, taking what students have learned about doing the job in the field and adding skills necessary to lead organizations. It’s also suitable for students without an associate’s degree, offering flexibility for both newcomers and those with experience alike.

For example, students can take public administration and planning classes to learn how to handle public safety challenges, understand the physical environments in which they work, manage resources, and lead effectively. Communication classes teach skills such as resolving conflicts, negotiating, and working with different groups of people.

Other courses cover the criminal justice system and issues related to law enforcement. Finally, additional public policy and social science classes provide insights into policymaking, mental health, addiction, and civil rights, all of which are important for leaders to understand in the context of public safety.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

Graduates work in law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical services, and emergency management at the local, state, and federal levels. Graduates are also in a position to pursue opportunities related to public policy analysis, communication and public relations, budget analysis, civil rights advocacy, and GIS analysis.

Students may go on to hold positions including: Corrections Officers, Court Clerk, Emergency Management Coordinator, Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent, Fire Chief, Firefighter, GIS Specialist, Investigator, Law Clerk, Police Officer, Paralegal, and City Public Safety Director.

What skills are developed within this major?

Skills developed within this major include: leadership; management; communication; conflict resolution; analytical skills; problem-solving; critical-thinking; and passion for public service.

Additional Information

Internship opportunities are available to all students, and scholarships are available to qualified students.
The Columbus Seminar provides on-site involvement in government.
A formal mentoring program is available in which juniors and seniors are paired with public service practitioners working in the student’s area of interest.
Students with substantial prior learning/professional experience may apply for credit through the Assessment and Accreditation of Prior Learning Experience program.
Opportunities to participate in small seminar groups, research projects, and online courses are available.

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for the degree: 120

Minimum hours required for major: 33

School Requirements

Students must fulfill all School of Urban Affairs Requirements , including completion of UST 200 , UST 205 , UST 207 , and UST 404 .

Major Requirements

Public Safety Management majors are required to complete a minimum of 33 credit hours from the following courses:

Required Courses

Electives

Choose five courses (15 credit hours minimum).

Honors Program/University Scholars Requirements

Honors/Scholars students pursuing a major within the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs (Community Planning, B.A. , Environmental Studies, B.A. , Nonprofit Administration, B.A. , Organizational Leadership, B.A. , Public Policy and Management, B.A. , and Public Safety Management, B.A. ) are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of 300-400 level honors courses as described below.

Honors Thesis or Exit Requirements (choose one):

Honors/Scholars students may choose to pursue an Honors thesis, consisting of original research supervised by an Urban Affairs faculty member.
Honors/Scholars students may take UST 489 - Advanced Senior Seminar , UST 452 - Management of Urban and Nonprofit Organizations or another capstone requirement as a contract course.

The remaining 9 credit hours of Honors courses shall consist of any combination of contract courses and regular Honors offerings within the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, with at least one course in the student’s major field.

Accelerated Graduate Programs

Qualifying undergraduates in the School of Urban Affairs may pursue an accelerated graduate degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning and Development, or Nonprofit Management. See Public Administration, Accelerated Master’s BA/MPA , Urban Planning and Development, Accelerated BA/MUPD , and Nonprofit Management, Accelerated Master’s BA/MNM for program requirements.