9 Best Online Associate’s in Public Safety Degree Programs

About

American Public University is a public education system with over 39,000 enrolled students.

It’s nearly 232 degrees, and certificate programs serve students worldwide, helping them to develop skills for intelligence, military analysis, and law enforcement careers.

Courses Offered

Recognized by the DHS and NSA as a center of excellence, the

American Public University offers two entry-level degrees within the Public Safety arena: an Associate of Science in Fire Safety or an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.

Both 60-credit-hour programs are completely online.

Courses are 8 to 16 weeks long.

Graduation requires a second-year seminar.

The Associate degree curricula include:

• Fire Behavior
• Emergency Services Safety
• Fire Protection
• Law Enforcement
• Emergency and Disaster Incident Command

Application to APU is free.

American Public University calculates undergraduate degree costs at $350 per credit hour ($250 for military).

The average total cost for an Associate’s degree is $21,000. Additional program and degree-specific fees may apply.

However, books and e-books are included in the cost.

The university honors the military with discounted tuition. FAFSA, GI Bill, veterans grants, and state discounts are available to eligible students.

About

The main campus of Franklin University is located in Columbus, Ohio.

It has served as a professional career education since 1902.

It has a total enrollment of 8,697 students.

A highly regarded academic institution, Franklin University, in partnership with Urbana University, houses the Center for Public Safety and Cybersecurity Education (CPSCE), which serves multi-disciplinary safety and security education.

Courses Offered

The Associate of Applied Science in Public Safety is a 60-hour degree that is offered entirely online.

Students take one 6-week class per term to ensure focus and flexibility.

And, the degree is usually completed in 2 to 2.5 years.

In addition to basic coursework such as mathematics and psychology, the public safety program includes:

• Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Ethics & Leadership in Public Safety
• Interpersonal Communication
• Decision-making Skills
• Fire Safety Management

Franklin University online costs an estimated $398 per credit hour.

Applications for Financial Aid are encouraged, and the university offers military and veteran discounts.

About

St. Petersburg College, based in Tampa, Florida, is an award-winning online system.

It offers over 80 programs online, with, at last reporting, 28,000 online students.

Online classes are blended with real-time Zoom videos and self-directed coursework.

Courses Offered

The SPC Associate in Science Degree in Public Safety provides a strong foundation in public safety education.

After core coursework such as statistics and communication, students can choose from five concentrations:

• Crime scene technology
• Digital forensics
• Computer investigations
• Criminal justice technology
• Law enforcement

The public safety degree includes the following courses:

• Crime Scene Photography
• Fingerprint Classification
• Biological Evidence
• Crime Scene Safety
• Internet Fraud Investigations

A Capstone project is required for graduation.

There is a $40 fee to apply, and the enrollment costs are $111 per credit hour.

Some classes require additional fees and supplies.

Scholarship, financial aid, and payment plans are available for eligible programs.

About

Purdue University Global is the online division of the Purdue University System.

Enrollment of online students is roughly 28,000.

Purdue University Global is a result of the university’s 2018 purchase of Kaplan University.

Courses Offered

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Public Safety and Security is a part of the university’s AAS Criminal Justice degree and can be completed 100% online.

The AAS is an intensive 90-credit hour program that can require 2 years to complete, with a minimum weekly commitment of 18 hours.

A Capstone project is also required for graduation.

An AAS in public safety and criminal justice can include concentration courses:

• Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
• Criminal Procedure
• Law Enforcement Management
• Private Security
• Investigative Techniques

The estimated cost is $35,000 or $371 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available for select online programs.

Another way to reduce program costs is to apply for transfer and life knowledge credit, reducing the time spent on a degree.

About

Piedmont Community College was established in 1970 as part of the North Carolina Community College System.

Offered either on campus or online, there are over 80 degree programs with roughly 4,700 students.

Courses Offered

Offered 100% online, the 68-hour Applied Science in Public Safety Administration program allows students to choose from four concentrations:

• Security & Loss Prevention
• Correction Services
• Law Enforcement Services
• Emergency & Fire Management Services

In addition to core courses such as critical thinking, writing, and statistics, public safety courses include:

• Critical Incident Management
• Civil Liability
• Constitutional Law
• EMS and Law Enforcement
• Intro to Fire Protection
• Advanced Communications

Tuition costs approximately $1,000 per 12-hour semester.

Additional and degree-specific fees apply.

PCC accepts FAFSA and grants for eligible programs.

About

Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech), formed in 1958, is a part of the North Carolina Community College system.

There are over 71,000 enrolled students spread across 250 programs.

Courses Offered

The 100% online Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Public Safety Administration is a 65-credit-hour degree that can be completed in 2 to 2.5 years.

Public safety coursework at WTCC includes the following:

• Response and Recovery
• Interagency Operations
• Crisis Leadership
• Law Agency’s Financial Management
• Emergency Incident Coordination
• Administrative Law
• Public Policy

An associate degree at WTCC costs an estimated $5,000 for in-state tuition.

However, based on the specialization, the degree may require additional student, college, or equipment fees.

State Financial Aid is available for residents, and FAFSA, grants, and personal loans are available to cover general education costs.

Payment plans are also an option for eligible students.

About

The University of Maine Fort Kent (UMFK) was built in 1878 to educate teachers.

Currently, there are roughly 1,500 enrolled students across 20 degree pathways.

Recognized as one of the regional Best Colleges, U.S. News and World Report, UMFK has an acceptance rate of 99%.

Courses Offered

The University of Maine offers a highly respected online Associate of Applied Science Rural Public Safety Administration in Rural Public Safety Administration.

Unique for its focus on rural public safety, the degree is administered through its Distance Education division and is part of the Department of Criminal Justice.

In addition to general education, major courses include:

• Public management
• Constitutional Law
• Ethics
• Agency Management (FEMA, State departments)
• Homeland security
• Crisis intervention
• Terrorism

The basic tuition is $9,240 plus degree-specific fees.

Federal Aid, grants, and vocational plans help students cover the academic costs.

About

Originally a business school, Sullivan University (SU) was established as a private institution in 1962.

Over 6,000 students are enrolled for on campus and online learning.

Sullivan University has a wide range of programs from the culinary arts to criminal justice.

Courses Offered

Sullivan University offers an Associate of Science in Justice and Public Safety Administration.

According to the college website, this degree is considered one of the best online associate’s degrees in Kentucky.

Sullivan University houses criminal justice degrees in the College of Business and Technology.

Students enrolled in the 60-credit-hour degree pathway are expected to complete the program within 2.5 years.

Courses on the pathway include:

• Juvenile Justice
• Communications
• Criminal Law
• Community Ethics
• Public Safety Measures
• Crime Prevention

Annual costs for full-time attendance are approximately $14,200 plus additional degree-specific fees.

Online textbooks are free and round-the-clock tutoring is available.

Financial Aid, state support aid, and the GI Bill are options to cover education costs at the university.

About

Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC), founded in 1963, has expanded to 38 campuses and a strong online education community.

It is considered the largest accredited community college in the United States.

ITCC serves almost 200,000 enrolled students.

Affiliated with the University of Virginia, ITCC students can easily transfer to a four-year institution.

Courses Offered

Ivy Tech Community College offers a 60-hour, 100% online Associate of Applied Science in Homeland Security and Public Safety.

Expected completion is between 2 and 2.5 years.

Depending on the chosen concentration, classes include:

• Principles of Emergency Management
• Homeland Security Law
• Fire Fighting Procedures
• Incident Command Management
• American Government

Indiana residents can expect to pay $5,156 annually for tuition.

Textbooks are free, but certification fees are additional.

As is housing and transportation.

Out-of-state students pay roughly double.

Students are encouraged to apply for FAFSA and vocational grants.