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.

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.