Bachelor of Arts in Public Safety and Security - College of Business and Organizational Leadership

Program Objective

The curriculum of this accelerated degree program serves to enhance interest, experience, and knowledge in the field of public safety and security. Professionalism, ethics, and leadership are central themes for students as they explore public safety and security in today's society. Public and private sector employees will benefit from this program as they learn together to better work together.

This program is a accelerated degree* program designed for practitioners employed in the public safety and security delivery system who wish to improve the work they do, position themselves for leadership opportunities, and incorporate educational into life transition. (This program will not provide federal or state certification; however, it may be used for certain continuing education credits.)

Successful completion of this Bachelor's Degree program will enable students to:

Articulate an understanding and awareness of the varied roles and relationships comprising public safety and security delivery systems;
Explain federal, state, local, and private resources available to the public safety and security professional;
Understand organizational and administrative theory in the public and private sectors;
Apply a systems-thinking analysis of personal, professional, and organizational relationships;
Implement the personal and professional change derived from examining such issues as ethics, diversity, academic growth, and spiritual reflection;
Have an understanding of timely topics impacting public safety and security, including risk mitigation and management, legal liability issues, terrorism, biohazard dangers, and environmental hazards;
Develop strategies for maintaining a healthy balance of job and life in a uniquely stressful profession.

* This accelerated degree program provides 48 of the 128 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts Degree. Depending on the student's previous education, additional credits may be required, which may be earned at Concordia. Further information on credits can be obtained from the Concordia University Academic Advisor.

Course Descriptions

PUB 400 Returning Student Seminar - 2 credits: This course covers areas critical to learner success including goal setting, library resources, writing, personal life balance, and basic computer literacy. This course models the collaborative learning and self-direction of the program, preparing students to make the most of their degree program.

PUB 401 Introduction to Public Safety and Security Studies - 3 credits

This course builds upon student work experience, training and education. Learners will review and further study history, theories and models of public safety & security while exploring those different than those in which they work.

PUB 410 Systems Thinking in Public Safety - 2 credits
Given the dynamic complexity of organizations, it is vital that professionals have an understanding of how organizations and systems interact. This course provides the skills to diagnose interactions and engage in finding solutions to problems using systems thinking. "Systems thinking" serves as one of the threads of continuity running throughout this degree program.

PUB 420 Homeland Security Resources - 3 credits

A in-depth exploration of how different resources interact and complement each another, including fire, police, emergency medical, emergency management, military, community and private resources. The unique resources of each are explored, as is how they can best work together for maximum efficiency.

PUB 425 Working with Federal and Local Government - 3 credits

This course explains the Federal Emergency Management Agency, its resources and processes for obtaining a disaster declaration and making applications for government aid, as well as opportunities and expectations of local and private entities.

PUB 430 Legal and Legislative Issues - 4 credits

Provides an understanding of what law affects public safety & security professionals and how to find it. This course will examine constitutional, administrative, civil and criminal law issues impacting professionals working in the public safety & security fields.

PUB 433 Risk Management for Safety and Security - 3 credits

This course provides insight into risk assessment and mitigation from both a private and public perspective. Students will explore methods by which professionals analyze and respond to risk in order to protect assets (be they public or private) while insuring a safe environment for employees and those people working, traveling and living in the community.

PUB 440 Writing for the Public Safety and Security Professional - 3 credits

This course addresses the basic writing skills necessary for professionals, including how to writing effective reports, business letters, memos and informational articles.

PUB 445 Media Relations and Politics - 3 credits

This class explores the role of the media as it affects the public safety & security fields. In this class students will learn how best to interact with the media, as well as how to write press releases, organize news conferences, and submit informational articles for publication. The role of information officers and spokespeople will be explored.

PUB 450 Organization and Administration of Public Safety, Security, and Homeland Security - 4 credits

This course is a scholarly consideration of the concepts, principles and analytical tools for effectively administering public safety & security services. Students will examine the critical application of strategic management skills in operational environments that are ever-changing, under intensive scrutiny by the public and media, while being limited by legal, financial and political constraints.

PUB 455 Incident Management for Safety and Security - 2 credits

This course provides a model for incident management that will apply to a range of operations from department organization to disaster response. It is based on nationally recognized incident management and command models that have brought order to even the most catastrophic events.

PUB 460 Contemporary Issues in Public Safety and Security - 3 credits

Updates on timely issues including terrorism, severe weather, bio-hazard releases, and SARA Title III requirements.

PUB 415 Biblical Christianity - 4 credits

Students study selected Old and New Testament texts and explore the historical Biblical perspective of Christianity in the context of grace and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Students learn how religious issues have been addressed and incorporated in different eras of history. Students learn how Christianity has shaped elements of culture and organizational life, how Biblical principles can shape individuals for strong leadership roles, and how to better understand Christians in the workplace within a Judeo-Christian culture.

PUB 435 Philosophy of Values and Ethics - 3 credits

Students examine the issues of accountability in government and business regarding human rights and ethics through readings, classroom discussion and debates. Exploring both ethical theory and personal values, students develop a system for making ethical decisions on their personal, public and work lives.

PUB 470 Public Safety and Security Wellness - 4 credits

The nature of public safety & security exposes the care givers and those being cared for to unique stress. This course examines stress from the perspective of the individual, helping them develop a strategy to prepare for, identify and respond to stress. This course also explores what is expected of supervisors, managers and administrators when dealing with stress impacting subordinates, as well as stress experienced by victims of emergencies and disasters.

PUB 490 Portfolio - 2 credits

This final course is designed to help learners reflect on all they have done during this degree program. Students will synthesize all they have learned. Preparation of a professional & educational portfolio or e-folio will cap the learning experience.

Please contact Jody Ragan about content on this page last updated on September 25 2008.