This is a list of the Best Online Associate’s in Public Safety and Security. If you are interested in this career follow along to learn more.
Enrolling in a Public Safety Associates degree online makes it easy to work and learn at the same time. Whether the student is straight out of high school or has been working in the legal field for many years, bills still need to be paid. Taking online courses allows the student to maintain a work schedule that meets their needs. The lessons they learn in class can be immediately applied to situations in the workplace The opportunity to utilize these lessons in such a manner makes it easier to retain the information.
Featured Schools
Earning a Public Safety Associates degree online offers several unique benefits over attending a more traditional classroom. Online class schedules are incredibly flexible. Even though assignments must be completed and turned in on time, students can do their classwork whenever it is most convenient for them. If a student is working and raising a family at the same time, their schedules are constantly changing. Being able to study when they have spare time allows them to focus fully on what they are learning which means better understanding as well as better grades.
How We Ranked the Best Public Safety Associates Degree Online
To rank the best associate degree in public safety online, Criminal Justice Degree Hub editors selected accredited institutions offering specialized public safety degrees. Our ranking is based on value-focused criteria including cost, reputation, and salary potential.
1. Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global offers an AAS in Public Safety and Security that can be completed 100% online. PG’s public safety associates degree online requires candidates to complete 90 semester credits to meet the program’s requirements. The associate degree in public safety online from Purdue University Global requires a 15 hour per week effort and offers an internship option while earning the degree. The Wall Street Journal recognizes PG among the top ten public universities.
Purdue University Global is the distance learning arm of the Purdue University System that was established in 2018. The university serves more than 28,000 online students, with academic support centers in Florida and Illinois. Purdue University Global was created when Purdue University purchased the for-profit school known as Kaplan University and extend their existing distance learning program offerings.
Degree: AAS in Public Safety and Security
2. Piedmont Community College
Piedmont Community College offers both a hybrid and a public safety associates degree online with its Associate degree in Applied Science (AAS) in Public Safety Administration (PSA). Piedmont Community College’sassociate degree in public safety online offers students four academic tracks – Security & Loss Prevention, Correction Services, Law Enforcement Services, and Emergency & Fire Management Services. Students graduate from Piedmont Community College prepared for entry-level positions in the state, local, or federal government agencies, correctional facilities, or private protection agencies and organizations. Depending on the program selected, students must complete either 67 or 68 semester credits.
Piedmont Community College was established in 1970 and is a member school of the NC Community College System. PCC serves more than 9,000 working learners and students on an annual basis. Piedmont Community College operates campuses in Yanceyville and two in Roxboro, North Carolina.
Degree: AAS in Public Safety Administration
3. Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College offers an AAS in Justice Administration that requires between 62 and 68 semester credits to graduate. Mesa Community College’s associate degree in public safety online includes classes in ethics, criminal law, critical thinking, victimology & crisis management, forensic science, domestic violence, and evidence rules. Mesa Community College’s public safety associates degree online is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for a variety of public safety entry-level jobs.
Mesa Community College was established in 1965. Mesa Community College is one of the ten-member schools (and the largest) that make up the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). MCC’s urban campus serves more than 25,700 students. The Maricopa County Community College District is recognized as the largest of all community college districts in the nation.
Degree: AAS in Justice Administration
4. Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College offers an associate degree in public safety online with its Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Public Safety Administration (PSA). Wake Technical Community College’s public safety associates degree online requires degree candidates to complete 65 credit units to meet the PSA degree’s requirements. Coursework for this public safety AAS degree includes ethics in government, emergency management, response and recovery, law enforcement management, statistical methods, managing fire services, and public policy analysis, to name a few.
Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) was established in 1958. Wake Technical Community College is a member school of the NC Community College system, with several campuses situated in Wake County, North Carolina. More than 71,000 students attend classes offered by Wake Tech. In addition to its own educational facilities, Wake Tech offers classes in senior centers and public schools.
Degree: AAS in Public Safety Administration
5. University of Maine at Fort Kent
The University of Maine offers an AAS in public safety online in Rural Public Safety Administration. UMFK’s public safety associates degree online program includes coursework that totals 60 semester units in classes like public management, homeland security, crisis intervention, terrorism, principles of investigations, GIS applications, interviewing concepts, ethics in the community, criminology, and constitutional law, to name a few.
The University of Maine -UM Fort Kent was established in 1878 as a teacher’s training school. UM, Fort Kent’s rural campus serves more than 1,500 students. UM, Fort Kent, was developed to serve those with French American heritage in Maine. The University of Maine at Fort Kent proudly hosts a yearly Fiddler Jamboree with thousands enjoying more than 40 fiddlers playing.
Degree: AAS in Rural Public Safety Administration
6. Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College offers an associate degree in public safety online programs with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an on-campus Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CJPS). Both public safety associates degree online programs require degree candidates to complete 60 semester credits to graduate. Graduates of Front Range Community College can transfer to six four-year universities in the Colorado area. Coursework for these public safety programs includes an introduction to criminal justice, policing systems, and correctional procedures, to name a few.
Front Range Community College (FRCC) was established in 1968 and operates multiple campuses in Loveland, Fort Collins, Brighton, Longmont, and Westminster. Front Range Community College serves more than 26,000 students. Students enrolled in FRCC often transfer to the University of Colorado at Boulder or Colorado State University. Front Range Community College holds the distinction of being the largest community college located in the state of Colorado.
Degree: AA or AAS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
7. Sullivan University
Sullivan University offers an AS degree in Justice and Public Safety Administration (PSA), that is recognized as one of Kentucky’s best associate degree in public safety online programs. Students enrolled in Sullivan University’s public safety associates degree online program will take classes in juvenile justice, crime in the United States, communications, business organization, crime causation, criminal law, and public safety, crime prevention, and introduction to legal systems, to name a few.
Sullivan University (Sullivan) is a private institution of higher learning that was established in 1962 as a business school. The school operates multiple campuses and centers in Mayfield, Fort Knox, Lexington, Louisville, and Louisa, Kentucky. More than 2,800 students attend classes offered by Sullivan University. Sullivan University’s culinary program is the only program whose students were invited to cook for the Olympics in China.
Degree: AS in Justice and Public Safety Administration
8. Durham Technical Community College
Durham Technical Community College offers an AAS in public safety online in Public Safety Administration (PSA). This degree prepares students for rewarding work in fire and rescue, law enforcement, the Red Cross, or emergency management, to name a few. Durham Tech’s public safety associates degree online program requires the completion of 64 semester credits to meet program requirements. The average completion time for this public safety AAS degree is approximately 1.5 years. Durham Tech’s average class size is 16 students.
Durham Technical Community College was established in 1961 as an industrial school. Durham Technical Community College’s Durham campus covers 70+ urban acres and serves nearly 20,000 students studying for the more than 100 academic degrees offered by the community college. Durham Technical Community College operates as a member school of the community college system of North Carolina.
Degree: AAS in Public Safety Administration
9. Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College offers an AAS degree program in Homeland Security/Public Safety that is available entirely online. Ivy Tech’s public safety associates degree online program requires degree candidates to finish 60 semester units to meet the program’s requirements. Classes for this associate degree in public safety online program includes principles of emergency management, legal consideration for homeland security, fire fighting strategy, incident management, and Intro to American Government, among others. Students graduate and enter the workforce working in law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and emergency agencies, to name a few.
Ivy Tech Community College was established as a vocation institution of higher education in 1963. Ivy Tech Community College operates more than 38 locations that serve 200,000 students. The University of Virginia has partnered with Ivy Tech Community College to allow students to complete their 4-year degree after graduating from Ivy Tech.
Degree: AAS in Homeland Security/Public Safety
10. Bladen Community College
Bladen Community College offers a hybrid associate degree in public safety online program with its AAS degree in Public Safety Administration (PSA). Bladen Community College’s Tech’s public safety associates degree online program offers four academic tracks – Law Enforcement Services, Correction Services, Security & Loss Prevention Services, or Emergency & Fire Management Services. Core Curriculum includes the American Government, Investigative Principles, Communication, Critical Incident Management, Public Safety, and Grant Writing, to name a few.
Bladen Community College was established as a technical school in 1967 by a statute enacted by the NC government. Bladen Community College’s 5+ acre campus in Dublin primarily serves the working learners and students residing in the Bladen County area. Bladen Community College operates an open-door policy for the residents in the Bladen County, North Carolina area.
Degree: AAS in Public Safety Administration
Why Should I Get My Public Safety Administration Associate’s Online?
Online classes offer the same coursework and lesson plans as what is presented in the classroom. In some cases, online classes are able to condense the information so that the student can finish the course much faster. Accelerated learning gives the student an opportunity to earn their degree in as few as 18 months. Most traditional degree programs last for 24 months or longer. Students who pursue an accelerated degree program are often in line for a promotion or want to be considered for a new job that may be available in the future.
Is Public Safety Administration and Management a Good Career?
There are many popular careers in Public Safety Administration that will allow you to enjoy continued opportunities for advancement. Public Safety Administration careers can be found in both the public and private sectors and are not limited to healthcare or medical fields. In fact, public safety careers include positions like firefighting, quality control (OSHA), law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, first responders, and emergency management directors. There are also several teaching positions that can be found under this classification. Instructors can find careers in almost every industry.
Public Safety Administration degree programs offer graduates the skills to handle highly stressful situations by thinking on their feet and being able to solve problems quickly and efficiently. These degree options also provide management skills in terms of organization, logistics, and utilizing resources to their best advantage. Managing human and material resources requires someone who is detail-oriented and able to create viable solutions to a wide variety of challenges.
Public Safety Management careers are available for graduates who are willing to wear several different hats as part of their duties. Graduates will have to identify issues and create solutions while delegating roles to the individuals they work with. Having a Public Safety Administration degree offers opportunities for advancement and may increase your ability to earn higher wages once you have earned a reputation for being both professional and effective. Individuals who are hired into these positions often are looked to when situations are stressful. It’s important to be able to utilize the skills they were taught and take control of unsafe situations.
How Much Can I Make in Public Safety Administration and Management?
Graduates who earn a degree in Public Safety Administration can find work in almost every known industry. Those who choose to pursue careers in the health and medical field are likely to earn the most money per year. These positions can pay as much as $95,000 per year, even more, if the graduate has other degrees and years of hands-on experience. Careers in this area include hospital administrators, hospital/facility directors, public health administrators and officers, as well as administrators who manage public health programs for communities.
Graduates with a Public Safety Administration degree can expect to earn approximately $62,000 per year on average. Maintaining public safety takes many forms. Law enforcement officers and firefighters offer several types of positions in this field. You can also expect to find careers in fields like quality control and safety management. Organizations like OSHA are relied upon to enforce safety standards and protocols that prevent injuries and keep companies functioning efficiently. Individuals can expect to find many different careers in these organizations that are extremely rewarding.
Public Safety Administration degree programs also prepare graduates to be educators. Teaching fire safety, first aid, CPR, and other beneficial classes help to keep the community at large safer. Many educators offer programs to small groups like athletic coaches, supervisors, and the public at large. It is their job to encourage everyone to understand and utilize precautions they can use to protect themselves when they find themselves in dangerous situations.
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