Public Safety Leadership and Administration (Executive Police Administration), MPSLA

Program Overview

The Public Safety Leadership and Administration (Executive Police Administration) program is an online, 33-credit-hour program designed for law enforcement professionals seeking leadership positions. It emphasizes leadership, policy, and administrative skills, with a focus on crime investigation, crime reduction strategies, and community building. The program offers a blend of core courses, concentration options, and a culminating applied project, preparing graduates for careers in various levels of law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Focus: Executive Police Administration
• Emphasis: Leadership, policy, and administrative skills for senior and midlevel managers in law enforcement agencies.
• Format: Online
• Duration: 33 credit hours
• Objective: Develop the expertise to investigate crime causes, implement crime reduction strategies, and build strong communities.
• Target Audience: Law enforcement professionals aiming for leadership positions.

Outline:

Required Core (15 credit hours):

• Public Budgeting and Finance (PAF 506): Financial management in the public sector.
• Criminal Justice Planning and Program Evaluation (CRJ 510): Planning and evaluation of criminal justice programs.
• Executive Leadership Principles in Public Safety (CRJ 574): Leadership principles for public safety organizations.
• Public Human Resource Management (PAF 507): Human resource management in the public sector.
• Organization Behavior (PAF 508): Understanding human behavior in organizations.

Concentration (9 credit hours):

• Seminar in Criminal Justice (CRJ 501): Current topics in criminal justice research and policy.
• Seminar in Criminal Justice Organization and Management (CRJ 516): Organization and management of criminal justice agencies.
• Seminar on Race/Ethnicity, Crime and Justice (CRJ 518): Race, ethnicity, and their relationship to crime and justice.

Electives or Research (6 credit hours):

• Choose from a restricted list or any graduate-level CPP, CRJ, or PAF course with program approval.

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours):

• Applied Project (CRJ 593): Research project applying knowledge and skills learned in the program.

Assessment:

• Continuous assessment through coursework, projects, and the applied project.

Teaching:

• Faculty: Experienced professionals with expertise in law enforcement, public administration, and criminal justice.
• Teaching methods: Blended learning approach with online modules, discussions, and live sessions.
• Learning environment: Collaborative and interactive, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Careers:

• Chief of police
• First-line police supervisor
• Police detective
• Police dispatcher
• Special agent
• Employment opportunities in federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
• Potential for advancement in all levels of government agencies and the private sector.

Other:

• The program is designed to help graduates meet the challenges of contemporary law enforcement agencies.
• The curriculum is informed by the latest research and best practices in the field.
• The program is offered online, providing flexibility for working professionals.
• Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in law enforcement and other public safety fields.