Course Overview!

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Safety Management program at Cleveland State University prepares students for leadership roles in various public safety sectors, including fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and state/federal agencies. The curriculum focuses on developing essential skills in community engagement, budget management, inter-agency collaboration, and effective leadership. The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating students with associate degrees in related fields and those entering without prior experience. Students will gain a strong foundation in public administration, planning, resource management, communication (including conflict resolution and negotiation), and an understanding of the criminal justice system and related policy issues. The program incorporates coursework in public policy, social sciences (mental health, addiction, civil rights), and specialized public safety management topics. The program may also involve internship opportunities and a mentoring program pairing students with professionals in their field of interest.

Course Structure

The BA in Public Safety Management requires 120 credit hours, with 33 hours dedicated to the major. Core courses cover Cleveland nonprofits, policymaking for social change, community engagement, management of urban and nonprofit organizations, budgeting and policy analysis, and public safety management. Electives allow students to specialize, choosing from courses in communication (persuasive communication, health communication, conflict communication, leadership communication, negotiation), criminology and criminal justice (including juvenile delinquency, law and society, policing, corrections, women and crime, and race, class, and crime), social work (social welfare policy), and urban studies (urban geography, urban planning, environmental policy, urban sustainability, environmental planning). Students must also fulfill School of Urban Affairs requirements, including specific courses in urban studies. Honors students have additional requirements including honors courses and thesis options.