This degree program offers preparatory coursework that prepares students to defend against homeland security threats and emergencies.

Degree Benefits:

  • Acquisition of extensive knowledge in emergency management systems
  • Median salary for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists is $72,530*
  • Job growth for Occupational Health and Safety Specialists is 7%*

Career Options Include:

  • Medical & Health Services Manager
  • Emergency Management Directors
  • Law Enforcement Officers
  • Paramedic

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-health-and-safety-specialists-and-technicians.htm (visited March 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What you need to understand about online or campus learning is that the amount of time it takes to complete courses entirely depends on your commitment to studying.


A typical bachelor’s degree requires 120 to 129 credits to complete the course, which can take around 4 years for full-time students. Students that already have an associates degree, could complete this within 2 years depending on the amount of courses and classes they take each semester. Online training usually takes 4 years but can take up to 7 years since most students only study part-time. In fact, most online schools have a time limit to complete programs, where they give you 7 years to complete the program and if you don’t finish in that time you will lose credits earned toward your degree.


Another example is studying for a master’s degree full-time on campus can take 2 years to complete, where studying online for the same course can take 3 to 4 years depending on how many courses you complete each semester. However, you should also be aware that, if you devote more time to studying than most on-campus students; if you complete courses during the summer and maintain a full course load each year, you will be able to finish your degree in less than 4 years.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


Public Safety is a wide-ranging field with many different specialties. If you have a specific career you are hoping to enter, make sure the school either offers a major in that field or a variety of classes pertaining to your field of interest. You may be able to find employment information for graduating students, which can show you how many students were able to enter the Public Safety Career you’re looking at upon graduation.


This is a very important question to ask yourself. Your major should play a big part in the schools you are considering. Not every college may offer the major of your choice, so doing your homework is the first step of the selection process.

A Public Safety degree will certainly require to consist of some really particular training courses. Generally, a bachelor's degree in Public Safety looks like an associate level doubled, but associates courses (the first two years) focus more on general studies. While the 3rd-5th years focus more on specific studies related to Public Safety. Below is a sample of online bachelor's degree courses so you can see the kind of curriculum that will be typically found. Universities will differ in their specific studies needs. Compare colleges very carefully on the courses they will require you to take to gain your bachelor's degree in Public Safety. Sample courses you may need:

  • Introduction to Public Safety Administration
  • Contemporary Public Safety Practices
  • Public Safety Planning
  • Public Safety Legal Issues and Public Policy
  • Public Safety Research and Technology
  • Public Safety Administration Ethics
  • Public Safety Leadership
  • Finance for the Nonfinancial Manager
  • Decision Making
  • Public Safety Issues and Challenges

The graduation rate is an important piece of information. It measures the performance of the entire student body, and it is a good predictor of the experience each applicant can expect. Time is money when it comes to an education in Public Safety. The longer time for completion means more tuition and fee payments. Each year in addition to the expected four years, adds about 25% to the total costs of a Public Safety degree. The longer it takes to graduate also means the less time a student is in the workforce earning an income from their Bachelor of Science in Public Safety investment.


National statistics measure on-time degree completion using four-year and six-year marks. Private schools across the US and for all majors have a range of 53% on-time graduation and 65.6% within six years. In these schools, students can expect to finish on time if they attend full time and within six years with some part-time attendance. Public schools show a 35% on-time rate at four years and 59% at the six-year mark. Students at these schools must plan carefully to ensure that they can complete the requirements for on-time graduation.

Your school's accreditation is an important aspect of getting your Bachelor of Science in Public Safety degree. The two most common forms of accreditation are regional and national.


Regional accreditation is the most recognized and most prestigious available. Because of this label, these colleges often have higher tuition and have more competitive admission standards. Regional accreditation accounts for over 85% of colleges across the United States. There are 6 different regions, including:

  • MSA (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools)
  • NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)
  • NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)
  • NAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission)
  • SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
  • WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)

National accreditation is less common. National accreditation agencies oversee the accreditation process for career, vocational, and trade schools across the United States. As a result, these schools tend to be less expensive, require less general coursework, and feature a more practical, career-oriented curriculum. Because it is less structured, schools are only reviewed every 3-5 years to ensure that they still meet accreditation requirements.


Accreditation is an important part of the selection process. It adds value to a Public Safety Bachelor's degree by offering wider acceptance than degrees from non-accredited schools receive. Accreditation ensures employers and other reviewers of your educational background that you have a quality education in Public Safety. It informs potential employers that the graduate has the expected level of education and knowledge to perform work in today’s high-paced, technology-driven environments.


The Department of Education designates regional and national accreditation agencies. It is also through this department that educational loans and grants are provided to college students. The federal policy is to limit student loans to schools and colleges with acceptable accreditation. Which means that, if your school isn’t accredited, you will likely not be eligible to receive any financial aid. For many students, accreditation is key to getting funds to pay for the substantial costs of a degree in Public Safety.

The cost of a Public Safety degree depends on the type of school and the amount of coursework required. Private schools typically charge more than public institutions. Online education reduces the costs of living on campus or in an expensive location. For-profit schools may charge less than the other types. Many public institutions have a two-tiered system of fees with lower fees for in-state students and higher fees for out-of-state students. National averages shed some light on costs and help students understand the costs charged by institutions they might select.


According to the US Department of Education, the average, annual out-of-state cost for a bachelor program in Public Safety will vary based on the following factors: public, private, in-state or out-of-state and state of the school you are attending.


Below are The National Center for Education Statistics reports for average annual undergraduate cost estimates, in current dollars, for the 2016-17 academic year. The NCES surveyed the average annual costs for undergraduate tuition, fees, room, and board for public and private institutions. Keep in mind this is an average cost and does not factor in any financial aid like scholarships, grants and loans a student may be receiving.


The average cost of tuition: $19,488 at public in-state institutions or about $77,952 for four years. $24,854 at public out-of-state institutions or about $99,416? for four years. $41,468 at private nonprofit institutions or about $165,872 for four years.

Many colleges offer career services and job placement programs to help you get on the fast track to employment. Although you may assume that all Public Safety colleges offer this service, some don't provide as much assistance as you are led to believe. The best programs for post-graduate assistance include help with job placement both before graduation and continued support as you advance in your career. These programs can also assist you in preparing your resume so it maintains a competitive edge on the job market, work with you as you prepare for job interviews, and advise you on your job performance.