Bachelor of Science Degree: Public Safety Management

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Safety Management is designed for the public safety professional. The program is designed to expand understanding of the unique aspects of administration of all hazard emergency management and public safety. It equips progressive public safety professionals with the skills necessary to work with people, manage change in an organization, create innovation in organizations, address ethical/legal considerations, and manage an emergency environment utilizing communication skills to solve social and organizational problems. Specializations within the program include understanding of contemporary public safety policies for community risk reduction, law enforcement, impact of criminal behavior, emergency medical services, community health and land use with an emphasis on localized needs including tribal relations, border policies and critical infrastructure protection in an emergent environment.   

This pathway combines public safety career industry-recognized certifications for Emergency Management Directors, Public Safety Managers, allied partners in public safety which include fire and emergency services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, municipalities, utility companies, transportation security management, border patrol, non-profit organizations, and other key public safety infrastructure partners.   

Current topics such as climate change, public health emergencies, and complex cross-border disasters will be examined.  Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop strategies that help communities build resilience and mitigate the disproportionate effects of disasters on socially and economically diverse populations. The program analyzes responsibilities to address how public safety organizations develop a response to these problems, the nature of the response, and how resources - budgets and personnel - are obtained, utilized, and evaluated in responding to challenges Emergency Management Directors, Public Safety Managers and first responders face in local communities.

50 students annually starting in Spring of 2027.

The goal of the Bachelor of Science Degree of Public Safety Management focuses on equipping first responders, Emergency Management Directors, and Public Safety Managers with an understanding of community resilience amongst vulnerable individuals living in the areas of the state most susceptible to natural disasters. Emphasis aligns with the Prepare California Initiative aimed at reducing long-term risks from natural disasters, such as flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, extreme heat, and drought by investing in local capacity building and mitigation projects designed to protect communities.

1. A combination of lower division and upper division coursework totaling a minimum of 120 semester or 180quarter units that are applicable to a baccalaureate degree as defined within these guidelines. A minimum degree requirement of 60 semester credits or 90 quarter units at the associate transfer level. A maximum degree requirement of 70 semester credit or 105 quarter units at the associate transfer level.2. At least 36 semester or 54 quarter units of lower division general education is required.3. Completion of the California State University General Education Breadth pattern, the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern, or the California General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern.4. All courses designated as lower division major requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” (or “P”)or better.5. Completion of a minimum of 40 semester or 60 quarter units of upper division courses.6. At least 9 semester or 13.5 quarter units of upper division general education coursework is required.7. The general education requirements are integrated and distributed to both lower and upper division courses.8. All courses designated as an upper division major requirement must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major. 

Program Requirements:

*Upper Division GE Highlighted

*Electives (Select 3 based on Emphasis)