Public Safety Online Degree Programs

Public safety degree program graduates take pride in their ability to keep their communities safe. If you're interested in serving your area as a firefighter, police officer, homeland security officer, or another related career, an online education in public safety offers you the training you need.
Serving your community means being educated on the laws and procedures that public safety officials use on a daily basis. Specialized online degree programs in public safety give you the chance to complete your training with students across the country.

Online Degree Program Specializations

Studying for your public safety degree online allows you to learn what field of the industry suits you best. You may choose a general public safety or homeland security degree. If you want to narrow your focus with specialized public safety degrees, you have several options:

• Disaster Preparedness
• Administration
• Criminal Justice
• Emergency Management
• Homeland Security

With such a wide variety of positions available, an average salary for the field is difficult to nail down. Police officers made a median $47,460 annual salary in 2006, while firefighters brought home a median annual salary of $41,190. No degree program can guarantee a particular career or salary, but hiring managers for competitive positions often prefer or require prior training among potential applicants. Studying for your degree in public safety can give you the advantage.

Public Safety Degree Program Coursework

Earning your public safety degree means studying a range of homeland security, fire safety, and criminal justice topics. Typical coursework in public safety degree programs may include the following:

• Ethics in Law Enforcement
• Introduction to Fire Science
• Critical Incident Management
• Criminal Law

A bachelor's degree in public safety requires students to complete general education programs in math, English, and other subjects. Certificate and associate degree programs, when available, can offer a more specialized degree with a shorter time commitment.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fire Fighting Occupations
Bureau of Labor StatisticsBureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Detectives

Amelia Gray is a teacher and freelance writer in San Marcos, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University.