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Bachelor's Degree Program

Public Safety Management

First in Serving First Responders.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Management (PSM) program at SIU remains one of the highest rated programs in the country and is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). With practical coursework in all areas of public safety management, graduates of the PSM program earn more in their chosen professions and bring enhanced problem-solving skills to their respective careers. 

Graduates of the PSM program obtain advanced career opportunities as administrators in emergency medical services, fire services, both public and private safety and security advisement, corrections and law enforcement.

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Program Description

The Public Safety Management program is designed to provide advanced practical course work in the areas of fire service-related management and supervision. The program trains individuals to identify, analyze and resolve problems within their discipline as it pertains to the labor force, fiscal aspects, data analysis, legal issues, and human resources management.

This degree is offered fully online or in our off-campus locations:

Joliet Junior College: Romeoville, IL
Harper College: Palatine, IL

Degree Requirements

Core required courses focus on practical training in technical writing, employment issues and data interpretation. These disciplines are combined with the study of managing the legal, fiduciary and current ethical issues in a variety of public safety and fire service agencies.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours 
  • PSM Requirements: 48 credit hours
  • Electives: 33 credit hours

compass iconView full degree requirements or check out the Curricular Guide (PDF) which helps outline what courses to take each semester for all four years. View undergraduate courses.

Specialization in Fire Service Management

Students in the PSM program can major in general public safety management or choose to specialization in Fire Service Managment.

Fire Safety ManagementThe fire service management specialization focuses on the demands of an administrator or leader in a fire service organization. Human resource management, government rules, risk management and public information of emergency medical services are all part of the curriculum that make up this program of study.

View FSM Curricular Guide

John

Student Spotlight

"I like the culture created by the PSM program as well as the passion and dedication that the professors have to the students."

John is a 2021 graduate of this program and specialized in Emergency Management Administration.  He started the program as a transfer student, was on the dean's list every semester he attended SIU, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Contact Information

For more information about the program, contact:

Lindsay Laycoax, Lead Site Coordinator
School of Justice & Public Safety
Faner Hall, Room 4222
Phone: 618-453-7277
laycoax@siu.edu

Careers in Public Safety

  • Fire Fighter
  • Fire Commissioner
  • Fire Chief/Captain/Lieutenant
  • Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator
  • Disaster/Emergency Services Manager
  • Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic)
  • Environmental Health & Safety Manager
  • Police Commissioner
  • Police Chief/Captain/Lieutenant
  • Federal Air Marshal
  • FEMA Team Leader
  • Medical and Health Services Manager
  • Natural Disaster Response Administrator
  • US Coast Guard Officer
  • Border Patrol Agent
  • Customs Officer