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
Partnership with Tulsa Police Department
OSU-Tulsa has partnered with the Tulsa Police Department to include the Tulsa Police Academy as part of the Bachelor of Professional Studies. Students who complete all prior degree requirements and are accepted into the Tulsa Police Academy will earn the final 15 credit hours of their bachelor’s degree by completing the approximately 28-week academy.
Students interested in attending the Tulsa Police Academy must pass a background check, maintain physical fitness standards, meet regularly with a TPD recruiter/mentor and maintain your eligibility to work on the police force. Visit JoinTPD.com for more information.
BPS in Public Safety Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I be able to finish my OSU classes while attending the Tulsa Police Academy?
The Tulsa Police Academy counts as a 15-credit-hour internship as part of the Bachelor of Professional Studies. If you wish to participate in this option, you will complete all OSU degree requirements except for the internship credit before applying for and attending the Tulsa Police Academy. While at the Academy, police academy staff will direct your curriculum.
- Once I complete the Tulsa Police Academy, am I guaranteed a job?
Upon completion of the Academy, you will graduate with your OSU bachelor's degree and begin field training with TPD. You must continue to meet TPD requirements to become an officer.
- What happens if I cannot complete the Tulsa Police Academy portion of this degree?
There are other ways to meet the degree requirements and credit hours that most students will complete during the Academy. You will work with your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you and fulfills degree requirements.
- 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 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.
- 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.