Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Public Safety Administration, BAS (See 2022-2023 Catalog Addendum for Updates)


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Purpose

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Public Safety Administration prepares students and professionals for leadership careers in law enforcement, corrections, fire science, homeland security, emergency medical services, and emergency management. The program provides a career and educational pathway for students who have earned an Associate in Science degree in a Public Safety discipline or an Associate in Arts with electives chosen from the Public Safety field.

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicants must apply for admission and be accepted to Florida SouthWestern State College. Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar.
  2. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Applicants must have earned:
    1. Associate in Science degree in Criminal Justice Technology, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology, Paralegal Studies, or Crime Scene Technology (or a related public safety field) from any regionally accredited college or university, as defined by State Board of Education rule, with a minimum of 60 credit hours,

      OR
       
    2. Associate degree from any regionally accredited college or universityor higher, which includes the completion of Florida State General Education Core Requirements.Students with a minimum of 60 hours, with all general education and prerequisite courses completed, may apply for admission. Such applicants must complete 12 credit hours in one of the following content areas:
      1. Criminal Justice
      2. Crime Scene Technology
      3. Paralegal Studies
      4. Fire Science
      5. Emergency Medical Services
      6. A combination of the above content areas upon recommendation by the BAS Admissions Committee or approval by the appropriate academic Dean.

        OR
         
    3. Associate degree or higher from any regionally accredited college or university, which includes the completion of the State of Florida General Education Core Requirements. Students with a minimum of 60 hours, with all general education and prerequisite courses completed, may apply for admission. Such applicants must have one of the following current certifications:
      1. Active national or state firefighter certification
      2. Active National Registry or Florida Emergency Medical Technician-Basic or Paramedic certification
      3. Active national or state eligible certification in law enforcement or corrections
      4. Previous certification which includes at least four years demonstrated work experience in one of the following:
        1. National or state firefighter certification
        2. National Registry or state firefighter certification
        3. National or state certification in law enforcement or corrections.
  4. Students are encouraged to apply for admission during the term in which they will complete their Associate degree program.
  5. Applicants not meeting stated admission criteria may petition for program admittance if they feel there are mitigating circumstances. Applicants must submit an official petition form to the Office of Admissions.

Requirements to Enroll in Baccalaureate Courses

  1. Upon admission to the BAS program, students must attend a required orientation session prior to enrollment in baccalaureate (3000 and 4000 level) courses.
  2. Students must complete ENC 1101 - Composition I ENC 1102 - Composition II , and three credit hours of approved mathematics, all with a grade of C or higher, prior to enrollment in any baccalaureate (3000 or 4000 level) courses. (Refer to the General Education Program Guide)
  3. Students who are accepted under Admission Requirement 3.B. must complete 12 credit hours in a single Public Safety discipline, or a combination of courses as approved by the appropriate academic dean, within their first 12 credit hours of enrollment.
  4. Cross-enrollment approval: Baccalaureate degree seeking students must obtain prior approval to cross enroll (as a transient student) in courses intended to fulfill baccalaureate program requirements. Approval will be determined by the appropriate dean in collaboration with program faculty. Students initiate this process using Florida Virtual Campus: www.floridashines.org .
  5. Students who have not fulfilled the State of Florida General Education Core requirements must complete them. Students who transfer to Florida SouthWestern State College with a previous Associate in Arts degree from a Florida state college, or a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, are considered to have met the General Education component of the degree. Students are permitted to complete remaining General Education courses while enrolled in the BAS program.
  6. Students who have previously earned an Associate in Arts or a baccalaureate degree from a college or university outside the State of Florida will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine which courses will meet the 36-hour General Education Requirements.  Students must have earned equivalent credit hours in each General Education category. 
  7. Prior to enrollment in PAD 4878 - Public Safety Administration Capstone, students must have completed all General Education and Baccalaureate Program Core courses. PAD 4878 must be completed through Florida SouthWestern State College and is not eligible for cross-enrollment. This course should be taken in the last semester of the program.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Students must satisfactorily complete 120 credit hours to be eligible for graduation. For residency purposes, a minimum of 15 core baccalaureate program (3000 or 4000 level) credit hours required for graduation must be completed at Florida SouthWestern State College. All other specific degree requirements must also be met. Credit awarded for Developmental Studies instruction may not be applied toward the total number of credits required for residency purposes or graduation.
  2. Students must complete the State of Florida General Education Core Requirements, including any assessment of General Education outcomes that are required by the College. Transfer courses will be reviewed for equivalency. Students who transfer to Florida SouthWestern State College with a previous Associate in Arts degree from a Florida College or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have met the General Education component of the degree.
  3. The Civic Literacy Competency Requirement may be met by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Exam and by successfully passing a civic literacy course.
  4. The Foreign Language Competency Requirement may be met by:
    • 2 years of the same High School Foreign Language, or
    • Documented foreign language proficiency through testing (for example, CLEP), or
    • 2 semesters of the same College Level Foreign Language (Level II proficiency).
  5. Students must fulfill all requirements of their program.
  6. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  7. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all baccalaureate (3000 or 4000 level) program requirements.
  8. Students must successfully complete the Capstone Post Course Exit Exam (minimum grade of 70%).
  9. Students must indicate their intention to attend commencement ceremony by completing the Commencement Form by the published deadline.

Course Prerequisites

Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions.  Students must complete all prerequisites prior to registering for a course.

Lower Division Requirements: 60 Credit Hours


General Education Requirements (36 Credit Hours)


Refer to the FSW General Education Program Guide   

Electives (24 Credit Hours)


*NOTE: The following must be successfully completed to fulfill the requirements of this baccalaureate degree. It is recommended that these be completed as part of the lower division requirements.

  • 12 credit hours of lower division (1000-2000 level) Public Safety courses with the following prefixes:

        BUL, CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ, CJL, CJT, EMS, FFP, PLA, PSE.

Upper Division Electives (6 Credit Hours)


  • Choose 6 credits of upper division (3000 or 4000 level) courses with these prefixes: ACG, DSC, FIN, GEB, ISM, MAN, MAR, MNA, PAD, or PSE.

Additional Program Requirements: 21 Credit Hours


Choose 21 credit hours of approved electives numbered 1000-4999 to reach the 120 credit hours required for the degree. 

Total Degree Requirements: 120 Credit Hours


Information is available online at: www.fsw.edu/academics or on the School of Business and Technology Home Page at: www.fsw.edu/sobt

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