Earning a Master's in Public Safety Online

Student Profile: Who Earns an Online Master's Degree in Public Safety?

Given the versatility of these programs, students from many different interests and backgrounds choose to earn online master's degrees in public safety. Many recent college graduates pursue master's-level study to seek specializations and further increase their marketability. Online programs also appeal to seasoned professionals looking to advance in their careers and earn higher salaries. This guide should provide some clarity and help you decide whether earning a graduate certificate or degree is right for you.

Why Get a Master's Degree in Public Safety?

Prerequisites for Online Public Safety Programs

Prerequisites for online master's degrees in public safety vary depending on the school. However, the list below describes common requirements for this type of program.

• Work Experience: Individuals from many different backgrounds pursue degrees in public safety, and most departments do not mandate previous work experience. However, an applicant with experience on the front lines may feel more comfortable and confident while engaging in advanced coursework.
• Exams and Test Scores: Some schools require applicants to submit GRE scores, which should be in the 30th percentile or higher for most programs. GRE scores typically remain valid for five years after the testing date. However, many institutions do not maintain standardized test requirements. Minimum GPA requirements usually sit at 3.0 for competitive programs and 2.5 for less competitive options.
• Coursework: Unless a student plans to specialize in a particular scientific area, such as forensics, most online public safety administration master's degree paths do not have a strict list of prerequisite courses.
• Recommendations: Recommendations play a key role in the decision-making process for admissions panels. Most schools require two or three letters from former professors, supervisors, and/or mentors who can speak to a candidate's preparedness and their likelihood to find success in graduate school.
• Essays: Essays provide prospective students with the opportunity to describe how they differ from other candidates and clearly explain why they want to study public safety administration at the master's level. Essays also allow learners to state why they think a particular school best fits their goals and interests.
• Interviews: In particularly competitive programs, students may need to participate in an in-person or virtual interview. These conversations help admissions representatives differentiate candidates and find answers to any lingering questions.
• International Students: In addition to the requirements listed above, international students may need to supply TESOL or IELTS scores to demonstrate their English proficiency. Some learners may also need to prove their ability to pay for the program since international students do not qualify for federal financial aid.

How Much Can I Make with a Master's Degree in Public Safety?

In addition to taking on more meaningful roles and greater levels of responsibility, individuals who earn online master's degrees in public safety also stand to earn higher salaries. Wages vary widely based on a worker's role, level of experience, and location. Emergency management directors, for instance, earn a median wage of $74,420. Earners in the 10th percentile bring home about $40,000, while those in the 90th percentile command salaries exceeding $140,000. When reviewing the following sections, consider how you can leverage your advanced skills and think outside the box to find meaningful work.

Traditional Careers for Master's in Public Safety Graduates

Given the expansive nature of public safety administration, graduates can select from many careers based on their personal needs and professional aspirations. In general, individuals working in this field should enjoy engaging with safety routines, understand how to multitask, and be able to make split-second decisions.

Careers	Stats	Description
Emergency Management Directors	Median Salary: $74,420 Job Growth: 8%	These professionals help create procedures and plans for issues related to natural disasters. They may check for hazards, develop response plans, work with other organizations, seek out federal funding, and meet with other public safety professionals to create cohesion across organizations.
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians	Median Salary: $69,370 Job Growth: 8%	Individuals holding these roles analyze work environments and processes to ensure organizations implement and maintain safety procedures correctly. They provide consultations on regulations, make recommendations on improvements, review workplace health and safety programs, and conduct investigations.
Environmental Health and Safety Managers	Median Salary: $81,000	While occupational specialists focus on potential harm to employees, these safety managers look to limit harm made to the environment. Professionals in these roles create environmental safety plans, improve existing policies, meet compliance regulations, and educate staff on how to safely handle materials to avoid adversely affecting the environment.
Emergency Management Specialists	Median Salary: $57,000	Emergency management specialists look for ways to prevent and minimize the aftermath of natural disasters. They create response programs, coordinate volunteers, work with other agencies, create evacuation routes, and try to ensure that everyone knows their role during aid and recovery.

Source: BLS

Nontraditional Careers for Public Safety Graduates

Although many graduates pursue the jobs highlighted above, less traditional paths also exist. Learners considering jobs off the beaten path can review those below to get a sense of what else is possible.

Careers	Stats	Description
Firefighter	Median Salary: $49,620 Job Growth: 7% Skills Overlapped: Safety awareness, ability to stay calm in stressful situations	Firefighters extinguish and contain outbreaks of fire. They may work in urban or rural areas. Common responsibilities include driving fire trucks, using hoses and extinguishers to manage fires, rescuing and providing basic treatment to burn victims, and creating reports.
Police and Detective	Median Salary: $63,380 Job Growth: 7% Skills Overlapped: Attention to detail, patience	Police and detectives work in communities to ensure the safety of residents. They may respond to calls, manage traffic, write tickets, recover crime scene evidence, oversee neighborhood patrols, and follow suspects to observe their actions. They may also be called upon to testify in court cases.
Program Manager, Nonprofit Organization	Median Salary: $50,163 Skills Overlapped: Multitasking, ability to bring people together	Program managers may work with emergency response nonprofits to develop community programs that help educate citizens about potential dangers and how to best prepare for them. They often work with other members of an organization to raise funds, create budgets, and market their programs.

Source: BLS

Paying for an Online Master's in Public Safety

Data supplied by CollegeBoard show that the average master's tuition at a public school during the 2018-2019 academic year was $8,850, while private school attendees paid more than $30,000. Because higher education costs so much, many students need to find creative ways of getting through school without accruing massive amounts of debut. Accelerated programs can help expedite graduation, while grants and scholarships provide funding that does not require repayment.

Scholarships for Online Public Safety Master's Students

Scholarships can help significantly reduce the final price tag of your online master's degree in public safety. Many schools, private foundations, nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies award financial aid to students. The list below describes a few scholarships relevant to the public safety students.

What to Expect From a Master's-level Online Public Safety Program

The majority of online public safety programs take approximately two years of full-time study to complete. Learners usually undertake a comprehensive capstone project or conduct research and write a thesis. Some programs are delivered entirely asynchronously and allow learners to complete assignments on their own time, while others use synchronous sessions with live lectures. Feel free to contact admissions counselors to learn more before applying to any program.

Major Milestones

1. Capstone Coursework

   Capstone projects allow students to take advantage of what they have learned throughout the degree track and use this knowledge to complete a culminating project. These practical assignments help build confidence and expertise.

2. Internships/Apprenticeships/Job Shadowing

   Although not always required, internships and job shadowing opportunities can help degree seekers gain experience before graduation. They can also help build industry contacts, making it easier to find a job.

3. Thesis Preparation and Defense

   Depending on their program, students may need to/have the option to complete and defend a thesis. Those who choose to do so often plan to find jobs in research or academia.

4. Licensure, Exams, and Exam Prep

   If your target public safety administration career requires a license or certificate, you may be able to study for and pass this exam while still in school. Other exams may require students to graduate first.

5. Intent to Graduate/Completion Confirmation

   After meeting all of their programmatic requirements, students must signal their intent to graduate. This involves working with a registrar to fill out requisite forms and pay any outstanding fees.

6. Application to Professional School

   If you hope to move directly into a doctoral program after graduating from your master's track, start gathering your application materials during the fall semester of your final year.

Coursework

The classes described below provide a glimpse of topics commonly covered in public safety programs. Learners should also review the websites of individual programs to get a better sense of what to expect in terms of advanced coursework.

Degree Timelines

Students pursuing a public safety administration master's degree online can often select from different degree timelines, depending on their schedules and needs.

Enrollment Status	Time to Complete	Description
Part-Time	3 years	Part-time programs give busy students who need to balance personal and/or professional responsibilities the chance to move through academic requirements at a slower rate. Most part-time learners take 3-6 credits per semester and graduate in 30-36 months.
Full-Time	2 years	Students in full-time programs often take 6-9 credits each semester and graduate within 18-24 months. These programs are suitable for degree seekers who can dedicate about 15 hours a week per class to their studies.
Accelerated	1 year	A great option for students who want to graduate quickly, accelerated programs offer shorter courses (lasting 5-8 weeks) that allow students to move through the curriculum rapidly. Accelerated pathways usually last 12-18 months.

Professional Organizations and Resources

Professional organizations provide support and opportunities to current students, recent graduates, and industry veterans. Members can often take advantage of continuing education opportunities or attend annual conferences to engage in networking. Organizations may also distribute publications and up-to-date industry news.

• Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association FLEOA serves law enforcement professionals by providing legislative representation, regularly scheduled events, and information about news in the field.
• National Emergency Management Association NEMA supports individuals working in emergency management by providing a resource center, a calendar of upcoming events, details about career opportunities, and a comprehensive document library.
• The International Association for Disaster Preparedness and Response Representing members from across the globe, DERA provides several in-house publications, a library, support services, resources related to disaster operation, and opportunities for networking.
• American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Individuals seeking practice resources, continuing education opportunities, job postings, legislative advocacy, and news about the industry can visit ACOEM's website.
• National Environmental Health Association This national organization provides legislative advocacy, a popular blog, industry discounts, and publications. It also oversees events and regional communities.
• A Day in the Life of an Environmental Health Professional Students can read stories about individuals who spend their days in the field, gaining a clearer sense of the practical implications of this career path.
• Fifteen Tricky Law Enforcement Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Graduates preparing for interviews can review potential questions and learn about the best ways to give good answers.
• Interview With a Next-generation Emergency Manager GovTech offers this insightful interview with an emergency preparedness officer in the Seattle Fire Department to give an insider look at what to expect while working in the field.
• How to Get a Job in Law Enforcement Police Magazine shares several tips on how to prepare for a job interview.
• An Interview With a Global Environmental Health Professional The National Science Review shares this interview, which details important concepts related to global environmental health.