Public Safety
What is public safety?
Why public safety at OSU?
Career paths
With a focus on cultural awareness, conflict resolution, and effective communication, our graduates are well-prepared to serve and protect diverse communities, fostering trust and cooperation between public safety professionals and the public they serve. In addition to careers with police and sheriff’s departments, public safety majors can make a difference in their communities through work in government agencies and private industry.
- Law Enforcement
- Corrections
- Firefighting
- Emergency Management
- Public Safety Administration
Highlights
A unique, flexible experience
The bachelor's degree in public safety is flexible and can be customized to fit your career and training goals. Our students have backgrounds in the military, as first responders and as EMTs, with goals of serving in law enforcement, fire departments and civil service. For example, one public safety student recently graduated from the Broken Arrow Police Department academy.
Traditional Student
- You can complete the first two years of classes in person at OSU in Stillwater and enjoy a traditional college experience.
- Then you'll take major-specific courses at OSU-Tulsa's downtown Tulsa campus, or online.
Transfer Student
- Students who already have some college credit can make the most of the credits they've already earned by transferring to this program and enjoying the college experience they prefer, whether that be at OSU-Tulsa, online or in Stillwater.
Want to stay in Stillwater until you graduate?
You can finish this degree online and still enjoy OSU-Stillwater student life.
Law enforcement certification and partnerships
The Public Safety degree program offers flexible options to help you make the most of your experience—whether you’re already working in the field or preparing to start your career. You may be eligible to earn up to 15 credit hours through prior learning, including but not limited to:
CLEET certification or law enforcement certification from other states
Paramedic or firefighter training
Military training documented on a Joint Services Transcript (JST)
Completion of an approved police academy, such as those operated by the Tulsa or Broken Arrow Police Departments (applies toward final 15 credit hours if all other degree requirements are met)
Other types of training may also qualify. An academic advisor can help you explore how your background could apply—saving you time, lowering costs and getting you closer to your next career goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will I be able to finish my OSU classes while attending a police academy?
If approved, police academy training will be counted as an internship as part of the Bachelor of Professional Studies. If you wish to participate in this option, you will work with your academic advisor to set up the internship. You will then complete all OSU degree requirements except for the internship credit before applying for and attending the police academy. While at the academy, police academy staff will direct your curriculum.
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Once I complete a police academy, am I guaranteed a job?
This depends on the department with which you train. Generally, upon completion of the academy, you will graduate with your OSU bachelor's degree and begin field training.
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What happens if I cannot or do not wish to complete a police academy as part of this degree?
There are other ways to meet the degree requirements and credit hours. You will work with your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you and fulfills degree requirements.
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Do Bachelor of Professional Studies in Public Safety students receive priority over other applicants who apply to the Tulsa Police Academy?
The best way to ensure acceptance to the Tulsa Police Academy is to maintain your physical fitness, meet regularly with a mentor or recruiter assigned through TPD and maintain your eligibility to work on the police force. There are a limited number of recruits admitted to each Academy and they are ranked by scores in multiple areas. Your TPD mentor/recruiter will help you understand this process and aid in your success.
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Do students have to pay to attend the Tulsa Police Academy, and do they pay OSU-Tulsa tuition while attending the Academy?
The Tulsa Police Academy is paid by the taxpayer. In fact, they will pay you a salary and benefits while you attend. Because you will also be earning college credit from OSU, you will pay for 15 credit hours' worth of tuition during the semesters you are enrolled and attending the Academy.
During the Tulsa Police Academy, you are employed by the City of Tulsa and are eligible for a tuition waiver equal to half of your tuition costs for up to six credit hours per semester. Since the Academy will stretch across two semesters of enrollment, you will qualify for the waiver for both semesters. More details can be found here.