Public Safety Administration, BAS

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration (BAS PSAD) is designed to prepare individuals as leaders and administrators in public safety related professions. Students enrolling in the program bring a variety of safety and security backgrounds to enrich the educational experience, including legal studies and law enforcement, corrections, fire science, and emergency medical services. 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.

Program Highlights:

The BAS PSAD program includes courses in public administration, strategic planning, finance and budgeting, human resource management, and homeland security. Courses are offered in an online or blend of online and traditional formats, in an accelerated eight-week fashion, to accommodate students’ varying schedules and learning preferences.

Career Opportunities:

The BAS PSAD program prepares graduates for career promotions and advancement in the public safety industry to include law enforcement, fire services, corrections, emergency medical services, emergency administration management, and industrial security enterprises in both government and private sector agencies.

Admission Requirements:

1. Applicants must apply for admission and be accepted to Edison 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:

a. An 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 a regionally accredited institution. Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours for admission;

OR

b. An Associate degree or 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. Students are permitted to take these 12 credit hours following admission to the BAS PSAD within their first 12 credit hours of enrollment:

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

c. An Associate degree or higher, which includes the completion of the Florida State General Education Core requirements. Students with a minimum of 60 hours, with all general education and prerequisites 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: 

a. National or state firefighter certification

b. National Registry or state firefighter certification

c. National or state certification in law enforcement or corrections.  

Students are encouraged to apply for admission during the term in which they will complete their Associate degree program.

4. Applicants not meeting stated admissions criteria may petition for program admittance if they feel that there are mitigating circumstances. Applicants must submit an official petition form to the Office of the Registrar available online. Petitions will be reviewed with the appropriate academic dean.

Requirements to Enroll in Upper Division Courses:        

1. Upon Admission to the BAS PSAD program, students must attend a mandatory orientation session prior to enrollment in baccalaureate courses.

2. Prior to enrollment in any upper division courses, applicants must successfully complete ENC 1101 - Composition I , ENC 1102 - Composition II , and three credit hours of college level mathematics.

3. Students who are accepted under admission requirement 3c above must complete 12 credit hours in a single public safety discipline, or a combination of courses as approved by the appropriate academic dean, prior to enrollment in upper division courses.
         
4. Students must meet program criteria prior to enrollment in PAD 4878, Public Safety Administration Capstone. PAD 4878 must be completed through Edison State College and is not eligible for cross-enrollment approval. 

5. Cross-enrollment approval- Baccalaureate degree seeking students must obtain prior approval to cross enroll (as a transient student) in courses intended to fulfill upper division program requirements.  Approval will be determined by the appropriate dean in collaboration with program faculty. Students initiate this process using www.facts.org.

6. Students who have not fulfilled the Edison State College general education requirements must complete them. Students who transfer to Edison State College with a previous Associate in Arts degree from a Florida College or bachelor’s 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.

Priority Application Deadlines: 

Fall term - August 1;   Spring term - December 1;   Summer term - April 1

Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours