Public safety professionals work to protect the lives of citizens, often working as police, homeland security, emergency managers, firefighters, and in other civil servant roles. With an online public safety degree, you will learn about principles and techniques that will allow you to protect the safety of the individuals you serve.
Online Public Safety Degrees
Online public safety degree programs are typically offered as a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree within the criminal justice department. Courses may include public safety administration, law enforcement, criminal justice, public safety law, and corrections. Your degree will develop a broad base of knowledge in public safety and criminal justice, while also developing your skills in leadership and management.
Public Safety Careers
A variety of career paths are open to public safety graduates in both the public and private sectors. Many pursue careers in law enforcement, crime prevention, and the court system. There are also opportunities available in public safety administration, risk analysis, crisis management, and homeland security. Job titles in public safety may include:
- Police officer
- Homeland Security officer
- Public safety officer
- Crisis manager
- Safety administrator
Public safety is a constant need, and job opportunities in this field will be strong for the foreseeable future. Salaries in public safety can vary widely, as there are many different career paths available within the field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the following average salaries as of May 2020 for some of the professions within the field of public safety:
- Detectives and criminal investigators: $89,300
- Fire inspectors and investigators: $67,680
- Private detectives and investigators: $60,100
- Correctional officers and jailers: $52,340
- Security guards: $34,360
In the federal government, public safety officers within the Department of Homeland Security work for agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
- CBP agents earned a starting salary of $42,698 – $61,443 as of 2021.
- ICE agents earned a starting salary of $30,414 – $37,674 as of 2021.
- TSA agents earned between $24,334 – $66,943 as of 2021.
In the federal government, you’ll need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to become a public safety officer.
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for detectives and criminal investigators, private detectives and investigators, correctional officers and jailers, security guards, and fire inspectors and investigators. Figures represent national data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2021.
Public Safety Degree Courses
In your online public safety degree program, you’ll learn how to protect the public with principles, policies, and proven techniques. Courses in an online public safety degree program often include:
- Fiscal Management for Public Safety Administrators: This class discusses how to administer a budget for a public safety department including expense monitoring, revenue and cash flow, as well as issues with government funding and availability of grants.
- Public Safety Law and Civil Liability: This course examines current issues and laws regarding the liability of employees in the public safety realm. Important cases and precedents are usually considered.
- Labor Relations: Students receive a thorough grounding in how labor unions impact the public safety sector. Topics include strikes, contract negotiations and controversies surrounding promotion tests.
Earn Your Degree in Public Safety
Begin your career in public safety with an online degree. View our directory of online public safety degrees to select your program.
