Public Safety Administration

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Public Safety Administration prepares students with the skills necessary to coordinate, develop, and direct the resources of a variety of public safety agencies. Courses within this program analyze the legal, political, and social factors related to public safety, and provide an overview of topics such as organizational theory, public policy, resource management, leadership, and ethics. Prior to completion of this program, students will complete a capstone project within the field of public safety administration, applying the concepts covered throughout the program.

Details

Field of Interest
Behavioral Science and Human Services
Degree Type
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
Academic Plan
Public Safety Administration (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
9303
Total credits required
120
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admission criteria

Students seeking admission into one of the Specializations presented below must meet the specified requirements. Consult with a Program Director or an Academic Advisor in the field of interest.

Corrections and Detention Specialization

This specialization is offered through an educational partnership. Employment by the partnership organization is required for admission.

Fire Science Specialization

Students must be current and in good standing with the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services-Certified Technician. EMT certification preparatory courses are available at Maricopa County Community Colleges. Contact an academic advisor for details. Admission to specialization is required. See Program Director for details.

Fire Management Specialization

Students must be currently employed as a firefighter and/or Firefighter I and II Certification and/or related experience as determined by the Program Director.

Law Enforcement Specialization

Must meet AzPOST minimum requirements for a law enforcement officer and meet any physical requirements by the Academy Director. This program is offered as an educational partnership at Rio Salado College.

Paramedicine Specialization

Students must be current and in good standing with the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Emergency Medical Services-Certified Technician. EMT certification preparatory courses are available at Maricopa County Community Colleges. Contact an academic advisor for details. Students must complete an application and selection process.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course in the program.

The BAS in Public Safety Administration is aligned with current Maricopa CCL and AAS awards and supports students seeking professional advancement.

What You'll Learn
  • Examine public administration management within the context of public safety and criminal justice organizations.
  • Analyze public policies, structures, and the social forces that influence policy utilizing research to evaluate their effect on public safety and criminal justice organizations.
  • Assess the ethical basis for public service.
  • Assess the impact of key leadership and organizational theories within public safety and criminal justice organizations.
  • Develop plans to manage complex events and incidents.
  • Analyze the role of evolving technologies and social media including their application to practices within the fields of public safety and criminal justice.
  • Demonstrate effective oral and written communication to diverse audiences as it relates to the fields of public safety and criminal justice.
Career statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

$60,140

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

$98,610

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

  • Personal Service Managers, All Other

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Note: You will have to select one of the options below to view available course sequences.

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

To view course sequences, select one of the pathway map options above.

Footnote
Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=175873).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.