Public Safety Administration
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration (BASPSA) program at Valencia College is designed to develop essential skills and knowledge to manage and lead public safety organizations. This program focuses on discipline-specific workforce skills related to public safety personnel, policy and law, communications and emergency planning. The coursework emphasizes the theoretical and practical skills of supervision, management, administration and leadership with a focus on public safety organizations related to criminal justice, fire science and other public and private sector careers.
You will apply theory to practical, real-world scenarios as you develop critical thinking skills necessary for a career, or advancement in public safety in local, state or federal governments and the private sector.
Classes for this new program begin May 2024 for the Summer 2024 term. Courses can be taken online and on some Valencia College campuses.
Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees from a regionally accredited institution in any field are direct pathways to the BASPSA degree program.
Have questions?
Program Details
Coursework
Lower-division Coursework
To fulfill the lower division (first half) of the BASPSA degree, you must complete an A.A. or A.S. degree in any field of study, or at least 60 college credit hours* (including satisfaction of general education requirements for an A.A. or A.S. degree), from a regionally accredited institution.
*15 credits of the 60 credits must be general education courses.
Upper-division Coursework
Our Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Service Administration program includes an integrated study, which gives new students the opportunity to work on any remaining lower-level (1XXX/2XXX) and upper-level (3XXX/4XXX) baccalaureate courses concurrently.
Admissions and Program Details
Review course descriptions, important dates and deadlines and other programs details in the official college catalog.
Steps to Completion
5 Steps to Your Bachelor's Degree Upon Completing Your A.A. or A.S. Degree.
- Apply for the BASPSA program. Submit your college transcripts.
- Once you've been accepted to the program, you will be invited to complete the online bachelor's orientation.
- Register for classes and meet with a program advisor if needed.
- Complete the program requirements as outlined in the online catalog. 60 credit hours from the A.A. or A.S. degree and 60 hours of BAS coursework. The credit courses required may vary depending on the credits you bring to the BASPSA program.
- Graduate with your BASPSA degree.
PROGRAM LENGTH
120 credits
As a full-time student taking 15 credit hours a term (summers excluded), you could complete your associate and BASPSA degree program in four years. If you already have an eligible associate degree, you can complete your upper-division studies in as little as two years with full-time attendance.
Credits or associate degrees earned must be from a regionally accredited school for acceptance into our program.
Career Outlook
Job Outlook
This program is designed to prepare you for a management/leadership role within a career in public safety that has a minimum educational requirement of a bachelor's degree. There are many high-demand roles within public safety that require the advanced skills that you’ll gain in this degree program. Upon completing this bachelor's degree, you could pursue new career opportunities or potentially increase earnings within your current public safety organization.
Potential Careers
First-line supervisors and mid-level managers in:
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- Fire rescue
- Public and private protective services
AVERAGE STARTING SALARY
$50,835
Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Bureau of Labor Statistics January 2022
Career Center
Job search strategies, employment readiness tips and more at four on-campus locations.
Visit a Career Center
Request Information
If you are a current student, please log on to Atlas and contact your assigned Student Success Coach.
If you are a future student and would like more information about this degree program, please complete the form below.
Need Help?
For general enrollment questions,, assistance is available through our Answer Center or by contacting Enrollment Services.
407-582-1507