Lewis University Master of Science in Public Safety Administration

A Degree You Can Put to Work

The curriculum and coursework in Lewis University's online master's degree in Public Safety Administration offers you the tools and skill sets you can use right away. Your increased confidence and know-how may lead to advancement or even a second career as a consultant or business owner.

Features of our online MS in Public Safety Administration include:

• A faculty with real-world experience as public safety practitioners
• Courses that are practical and relevant to your job
• Personal attention from faculty and student services
• A convenient, flexible program that you can adapt to your busy schedule

These are just some of the advantages of our online master's degree in Public Safety Administration, making it the better choice for many professionals like yourself. Our students think so too.

Courses

This 36 credit-hour program is designed to provide an accelerated and contemporary course of study that is uniquely flexible and relevant to the needs of today's public safety practitioner. The courses required for completion of the Master of Science in Public Safety Administration provide all the tools necessary to advance your career, while offering the flexibility to enter the program at six different times throughout the year.

91-520 Public Safety Administration and Management (3)

A comprehensive overview of the responsibilities of administration and management professionals in the field of public safety. This course will examine methodology and practice of public safety management, organizational structures, interpersonal skills and leadership development.

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91-523 Fiscal Management for Public Safety Administrators (3)

This course will present the processes of budget preparation for public service practitioners, including comparative analysis of major line item expenses, contractual and consultative items. Also explored are the problems of government funding, service and equipment cutbacks, cost comparison, and accessibility of federal grants.

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91-527 Public Safety Leadership – Theory and Practice (3)

An analysis of contemporary practices in public safety leadership, emphasizing the application of theoretical concepts to actual administrative leadership situations. This course is designed to prepare the student for an administrative leadership role in the public sector.

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91-530 Critical Thinking and Decision Making (3)

An examination of knowledge and research as they pertain to public safety. Exploration of the relationship between creative and critical thinking, analysis of scientific methodology and logic, language and interpretation and their influence on public safety organizations.

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91-533 Public Safety Training - Management and Development (3)

This course combines theory and application of skills necessary to develop successful administrative and leadership abilities in the field of public safety training. Issues of discussion include organizational effectiveness, employee assessment, and how to enhance service to the community.

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91-536 Ethics, Integrity and Social Responsibility (3)

A study of how personal values and ethical perspectives shape the field of public safety. Includes the role of values in determining ethical obligations of administrators and their subordinates, and how values influence policy and organizational vision.

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91-539 Public Safety Law and Civil Liability (3)

An in-depth examination of current issues and laws regarding the liability of public safety employees. Case law and landmark decisions will be discussed.

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91-542 Public Safety Administration Incident Command (3)

This course will present responsibilities of public safety operations and the relationship of each operation to the other. Fire, police, emergency medical services and private law enforcement often have duties and responsibilities that sometimes conflict. We will examine the law, policy and need for public safety operations in various scenarios affecting the public well being.

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91-545 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3)

This course examines civil rights legislation, benchmark judicial decisions and their impact on public safety practitioners. Topics include employee dissatisfaction, controversial promotion tests, strikes/job actions and unions. Drawing from current events, major issues facing public safety practitioners, including contract negotiations, collective bargaining and arbitration will be discussed.

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91-550 Human Resources Development (3)

This course concentrates on theory and practice of personnel and organizational development. It examines how to manage creatively, how to establish successful leadership practices, and how to nurture professional growth of employees. Organizational barriers to advancement and implementation of innovative projects are also discussed.

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91-553 Public Safety Agencies and the Community (3)

Public safety practitioners are charged with the responsibility of servicing the public needs through a variety of services. This course examines the role of the public safety practitioner and his/her relationship to the community, including the development of resources, identification of community problems, and the special needs of servicing a diverse population within the community.

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91-556 Organizational Behavior (3)

This course focuses on individual and group behavior within public safety systems. It also focuses on analyzing organizational systems, dynamics and culture with specific emphasis on public safety organizations. The course will cover organizational theories, leadership approaches, decision making, communication, organizational change, conflict, power and politics. It will also introduce human resource management concepts as related to organizational behavior.