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What is public safety?

Public safety is all about ensuring the safety and well-being of your community. Various careers in this field involve enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, and taking care of the overall welfare of those you serve.

Why public safety at OSU?

Designed with input from law enforcement agencies, our public safety degree emphasizes the crucial human interaction skills essential in this field. Qualified students can include police academy training as part of their degree program.

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.

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)

 

 

two officers talk with two people in front of brick wal

 

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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