2025 Best Online Masters in Public Safety Administration Programs
By Amy Wilson
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on January 9, 2025
Earning your masters in public safety administration online could provide you with the advanced knowledge and skill sets needed to manage public safety agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
These public safety agencies could include police departments, fire departments, and similar services.
Masters degree programs in public safety administration are often open to learners who are new to the field. Those who already work in the field may also pursue a masters to advance their careers.
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arizona State University offers an online program for a Master of Public Administration. To graduate, students must complete 11 classes that are each 7.5 weeks long. To be eligible for the program, applicants must submit an online application with official transcripts, a letter of intent, 2 letters of recommendation, and a resume.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Charleston Southern University offers a Master of Science in Public Safety Management. Students may decide to take the thesis or non-thesis course.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must complete an online application. Along with the application, they must submit official transcripts from all the schools they’ve attended, a resume, 2 letters of recommendation, and official GRE or MAT test scores.
Charleston Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Drury University offers a Master in Public Service and Safety Leadership. Students must complete 30 credit hours to graduate. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and need to submit undergraduate transcripts, a personal statement, and 2 references.
Drury University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern Illinois University offers a Master of Science in Public Safety and Homeland Security Administration. To graduate, students must complete 30 credit hours. Those interested in the program must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants can submit an application through the school’s website.
SIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master’s in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Public Safety Administration. Students must complete 36 credit hours to graduate. Those interested in the program may apply through the school’s website at any time. To be eligible for the program, applicants must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Tennessee Technological University offers a Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in Public Safety. To graduate, students must complete 30 credit hours. Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 and either acceptable GRE test scores or a portfolio exhibiting proof of 5 years of professional experience.
Tennessee Technological University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Virginia offers a Master of Public Safety. To graduate, students must complete 30 credit hours. Each class can be taken online and is 8 weeks long. Those interested in the program can apply online through the school’s website. Applicants must submit official transcripts and recommendations when applying.
The University of Virginia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Western Illinois University offers a Master of Arts degree in Public Safety Administration. Students may choose whether to complete a thesis or not. To graduate, 33 credit hours must be completed. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and submit official transcripts, a resume, and a goal statement.
Western Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The study of public safety management can teach you how to protect the health and well-being of the public. You can learn about preventing dangerous situations from arising whenever possible as well as how to provide assistance to the public when such situations cannot be prevented.
Here are some subjects that you will likely study, either as core courses or as electives, while earning your master’s degree in public safety administration:
A graduate program in this major may also have internship opportunities available. Internships can enable you to get real-world experience working with experienced public safety administrators. Graduates of public safety administration degree programs tend to work in law enforcement, corporate or public security, corrections, emergency services, public health, and related fields.
Public safety administrators often work behind the scenes, coordinating first responders and other workers and ensuring that organizations run efficiently. They can also help plan budgets and policies and ensure that their organizations have the necessary equipment and supplies to do their jobs.
Many public safety administration students already have experience working in public safety as first responders and want to move into managerial or administrative roles. This graduate degree could also be valuable for someone working in a different field who is hoping to change career paths completely.
Some universities allow you to choose a degree concentration to tailor your education to your personal career goals and interests.
Here are some common concentrations that you can study in a master’s degree program for this major:
Every school can vary when it comes to what concentrations they offer for their public safety administration masters.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are some different types of related careers, along with their median annual salaries.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $179,520 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| General and Operations Managers | $97,970 |
| Emergency Management Directors—Hospitals | $94,310 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,230 |
| Emergency Management Directors—Local Government | $75,670 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Emergency Management Directors—State Government |
$69,450 |
| Police and Detectives | $66,020 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,220 |
Most public safety administration careers are in management, healthcare, and community and social service.
Here are some examples of the core courses you might take while earning your master’s degree in public safety administration:
Exact course titles and requirements can vary at different universities. Some schools have additional requirements, such as the completion of an internship or a thesis.
There are many things to consider when trying to decide where you want to earn your degree. Here are some factors you may want to take into account:
There are many different Master of Public Safety Administration programs available online, so you can search for the program that best suits your needs and preferences.
Here are some common admissions requirements for master’s degree programs in public safety administration:
A growing number of schools are no longer requiring GRE or GMAT scores, but some do still ask for them. In some cases, these scores are optional but recommended for those with low GPAs.
A college or university can be awarded regional accreditation if it’s reviewed by an outside regional accrediting agency and found to meet certain quality standards. Regionally accredited schools typically provide information about their accreditation on their websites.
Attending an accredited school can help ensure that you receive a quality education, and it can also be a qualification for some forms of financial aid. Your course credits also have a higher chance of being transferable if they are accredited.
To learn more about regional accreditation, you can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Some public safety personnel choose to pursue various types of professional certifications in addition to their degrees. Some common certifications include Certified Emergency Manager, Certified Public-Safety Executive, and Certified Public Manager.
You can become a Certified Emergency Manager through the Association of Emergency Managers. The application process includes passing a multiple choice exam and an essay. You can become a Certified Public-Safety Executive by completing a series of core courses through the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.
Becoming a Certified Public Manager requires completing a variety of learning activities and a capstone project as well as passing an exam. This certification is earned through the National Certified Public Manager Consortium. While not typically required, holding a professional certification can demonstrate your qualifications and specializations to potential clients or employers.
There are many scholarship and financial aid opportunities available for qualifying graduate students in this field.
You may be able to qualify for state aid, federal aid, or even an employer program. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you determine your eligibility for government aid. You can also check your university’s website to find out what scholarship opportunities they have available and how to apply for them. Scholarships are often offered by public and private organizations as well.
Being a member of a professional organization can provide you with opportunities for networking. Professional organizations also tend to offer resources for continuing your education and staying up-to-date on the latest research.
Here are some professional organizations for public safety personnel:
Joining a professional organization may prove beneficial as you further your education and career in this field.
Public safety leadership is the management of organizations that provide protection and emergency assistance to their communities.
In an academic context, public safety administration is the study of the knowledge and leadership skills needed to prepare you for a management or administrative role in one of these organizations. Necessary skills include assessing potential hazards, developing contingency plans, communicating clearly with others, and responding quickly in emergencies.
Public safety leaders can provide direction in organizations such as police and fire departments, hospitals, and emergency call centers, among others.
Common job titles for public safety personnel include medical and health services manager, social and community services manager, and emergency management director.
Many public safety professionals work behind-the-scenes, coordinating the work of law enforcement officials, healthcare workers, or first responders. These administrative roles involve performing tasks like budgeting and planning strategies for solving problems.
Public safety administrators can have many duties. They provide leadership and can develop policies that keep their public safety organizations operating smoothly.
There are four parts to planning public safety: prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. Public safety administrators think through all of these aspects in order to effectively do their jobs. Some public safety administrators also play a role in the development of educational programs, including further training for staff members as well as programs and resources for the public.
A typical online master’s degree program takes 1 to 2 years to complete. Most programs have requirements for core courses plus electives. If you are enrolled in classes full-time and take classes during the summer, a 36 credit hour program can usually be completed in just 1 year.
You may need more time to finish if you choose a degree program that requires a thesis. Attending part-time can also add some additional time to completion. Online degree programs often provide a lot of scheduling flexibility, so you may have the opportunity to work at the pace that best suits you.
Here are some differences between the fields of public safety administration and public administration.
Both of these fields focus on serving the public, so they do overlap in that regard.
Yes, a public safety administration master’s degree is worth it for many professionals. Earning a graduate degree could help you advance your qualifications and expertise in this field, especially if you already work in public safety.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics currently projects that employment of medical and health services managers will grow 32% over the next ten years. Emergency management directors are expected to experience 6% job growth, and social and community service managers are projected to see 15% job growth in the same time period (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Earning a master’s degree in public safety administration can equip you to serve your community and protect the public.
If you decide to take this next step in your education, you’ll have many program options to choose from, including online public safety degree programs designed for working professionals. Online programs can enable you to earn your degree while maintaining a balance between your education and other work and life responsibilities.
If you’re ready to advance your expertise with a masters in public safety administration, you can take the first step by exploring accredited universities today!