10 Best Grad Schools with Online Master’s in Public Safety Administration

Find your perfect college degree
Do you really need a master’s degree to make a positive impact in the community? Well, yes. This is especially important if you want to take on leadership roles in government or non-profit work.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree equips students with skills for effective administration in both public and private organizations and agencies. Similar to its on-campus program, online MPA programs focus on:
- effective decision-making,
- management,
- conflict resolution,
- policy-making, and
- communication when dealing with potentially dangerous environments.
Depending on the university or college offering public safety administration programs, the curriculum may include courses such as criminal justice, homeland security, public safety law, emergency management, and more.
Additional Resources:
- Best Online Doctor of Public Policy/Administration Degrees
- Best Online Master’s of Public Service and Administration Grad Schools
- Best Grad Schools with Online Doctorate in Public Health
Overview
Online master’s degree programs in public safety administration are perfect for working professionals aiming for leadership roles in emergency response and public safety. They offer advanced theoretical and practical knowledge, preparing you for a rewarding career in public safety organizations.
Methodology
The area of Public Safety is one of the cornerstones of a healthy and functioning society, as it is directly related to ensuring the safety and well-being of a society’s members. Success in this field requires not only experience but knowledge of concepts and techniques that are provided by a masters-level education.
Students would also do well to choose the best education they can get that would help them advance their proficiency as they continue to practice and aim for leadership in the field.
We’ve got you covered! We’ve put together graduate schools that offer the best online Master’s in Public Safety Administration Programs, selected according to the following characteristics:
- Offers their degrees online, perfect for the needs of working professionals who benefit from minimal disruption to their careers and commitments,
- Feature curricula that cover major areas of public safety and include coverage of administrative skills, best practices, as well as research skills,
- Also, feature designs that emphasize developing students into well-rounded professionals that anchor their practice on ethics and professional standards,
- Taught by faculty who have extensive expertise and experience in the field,
- Feature competitive tuition rates, as well as a range of options that let students reduce their tuition costs, including financial aid,
- Hold the proper accreditation credentials.
Visit our Methodology page for further details.
Best Online Master’s in Public Safety Administration Programs

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
Online Master of Public Administration
LSU Online offers one of the strongest online MPA degree programs targeting both pre-service and in-service professionals. Students will gain skills in policy and administrative processes, leadership in public organizations, problem-solving, and decision-making. Graduates will be equipped to apply a public service perspective and engage effectively with both the workforce and citizens.
- This is a versatile, non-thesis MPA degree program.
- Students must complete 36 credit hours to graduate.
- Core requirements include Microeconomic Theory for Public Administration, Data Analytics for Public Administration, and Organizational Analysis for Public and Nonprofit Organizations.
- Students must complete an MPA Capstone project.
- The program’s curriculum includes courses from other colleges/departments, allowing students to customize their learning experience.
Standout Features:
Students in this program join the Omega Nu Lambda (ONL) Honor Society, which honors online academic excellence. Membership offers networking opportunities, scholarships, and a global community of achievers, enhancing the college experience. Moreover, the program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs & Administration (NASPAA).
Did You Know?
LSU is one of only 24 universities nationwide with land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant designations.
Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ
Master of Public Safety Leadership and Administration (PSLA)
The online Master of Public Safety Leadership and Administration program offered by Arizona State University serves public safety professionals who wish to gain the necessary skills integral to managing and leading public safety organizations. Students can expect to learn how to become strong agents of positive change when it comes to working in public safety agencies.
- The program equips students with organizational management and leadership, data analysis, and public and policy administration skills.
- Students must complete a total of 33 credit hours.
- Courses include Public Budgeting and Finance, Public Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, and Program Evaluation for Emergency Management & Homeland Security.
- Length per class is 7.5 weeks, allowing students to graduate in less than two years.
Standout Features:
Students who want to prepare for a rewarding career in the field and meet their professional goals may want to choose a public safety concentration that they can focus on. Their options include:
- Emergency Medical Services – Mobile Integrated Healthcare,
- Executive Fire Administration,
- and Executive Police Administration.
Did You Know?
Considered a leader in online education, Arizona State University has a total of 10 years of experience in providing high-quality online education. Currently, the university offers more than 300 programs to accelerate career growth. It has catered to over 80,000 online graduates and counting.
University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA
Master of Public Safety
The University of Virginia offers one of the most rigorous web-based Master of Public Safety programs. It is designed to develop the leadership skills of working professionals from the field of public safety and create greater public safety in their communities.
- The program contains a total of 30-31 credit hours or 11 courses.
- The program curriculum covers key content areas that are relevant to law enforcement professionals and other allied public safety fields, including emergency management, the fire service, and more.
- Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination in order to graduate.
- Students can start in January, March, June, August and October.
- Online students have the same financial aid opportunities as their on-campus peers, including scholarships.
Standout Features:
The program is designed to be forward-thinking and is ideal for professionals who are ready to challenge the status quo and confront new realities in the modern field of public safety.
Also, students in the program who have completed training in the FBI National Academy, FBI ELEVATE, or the UVA’s National Criminal Justice Command College can apply for a number of graduate credits from these, letting them finish the program sooner.
Did You Know?
While it doesn’t appear on its official seal, a lot of symbolism used by the UVA features The Rotunda, a building located on the university’s original grounds. It was originally designed by President Thomas Jefferson and is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome.
Southern Illinois University

Carbondale, IL
Master of Science (MS) in Public Safety Administration (PSA)
Southern Illinois University’s Master of Science in Public Safety Administration is designed for professionals working in the fields of fire, police, or emergency medical department administration. This program equips students with enhanced problem-solving tactics and knowledge of public safety and homeland security solutions to fulfill leadership roles.
- This master’s degree features practical coursework that includes career advancement in a convenient online forum.
- Students will need to complete a total of 30 semester credit hours.
- Core courses include Legal Administrative Law, Public Policy/Ethics, Fiscal/Financial Management, Strategic Planning, and Practicum.
- Students must complete at least 30 credit hours, 15 required courses, and 15 electives.
Standout Features:
The online master’s in public safety administration features faculty and staff members who are known experts in the field of homeland security and public safety. Students can gain real-world skills from the faculty’s combined years of research and professional experience.
Did You Know?
The Carnegie Foundation (or Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching) ranked Southern Illinois University among the top 5 percent in terms of research expenditure. The university offers research opportunities in a wide range of categories. Students can take advantage of research facilities such as:
- Aquatic Research Laboratory and Saluki Aquarium,
- Laboratory Animal Program,
- Mass Spectrometry Facility,
- and Fermentation Science Institute, among others.
Charleston Southern University

Charleston, SC
Master of Science in Public Safety Management
Charleston Southern University’s Master of Science in Public Safety Management produces graduates ready to take on leadership and management-related positions within the public safety field.
Charleston Southern University aims to maximize students’ learning experience, whether through their online or on-campus programs. Class sizes are small and are taught by expert practitioner-scholars.
- The program is available in traditional/on-campus and fully online formats. The program contains a total of 33 credit hours and can be finished within 18 months.
- The program features a comprehensive curriculum and covers various key areas such as forensic science, criminal behavior, legal issues, juvenile delinquency, human trafficking, and ethics.
- The program concludes with a Public Safety Capstone Project and culminates with a paper and presentation.
Standout Features:
All active and retired First Responders and Public Safety Personnel are eligible for a 20% First Responders/Public Safety Tuition Discount.
Did You Know?
Charleston Southern University is SACSCOC-approved. It is a Christian institution that is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.
Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA
Master of Science in Public Safety
The Master of Science in Public Safety offered by Liberty University helps students learn the ropes in managing the people and resources to ensure public safety. Students are trained to influence organizations and relevant agencies across all levels, developing cost-effective and beneficial security strategies in the process.
- The curriculum is designed to help students prepare for leadership roles that involve making high-level decisions and fostering people’s well-being.
- Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours, which can usually be done within one year.
- Some of the courses included in the rigorous curriculum are Crisis and First Responder Training: Skills and Techniques, Introduction to Disaster Management, Fundamentals of Public Safety Leadership, and Management of Public Sector Organizations.
- Courses are conducted 100% online with 8-week lengths.
- Students can transfer up to 50% from their previous degrees.
Standout Features:
The online Master of Science in Public Safety Administration program allows students to customize their online learning experience to help them better align with their career goals and interests. They can specialize in:
- General Public Safety Administration,
- Criminal Justice,
- Fire Administration,
- or Homeland Security.
Did You Know?
Liberty University’s nonprofit prominence is more than a status. It is fully committed to investing in students’ success by maintaining low tuition rates, offering award-winning online degrees, and providing students with scholarships and other financial aid resources.
Tennessee Tech University

Cookeville, TN
Master of Professional Studies: Public Safety
TTU offers an interdisciplinary online Master’s of Professional Studies in Public Safety. It is designed to provide leadership and strategic management tools to public safety professionals who want to lead in a dynamic field.
- Students are equipped with important skills such as risk assessment and disaster preparations, public safety leadership, crisis response, research administration, and more.
- The program requires 30 credit hours.
- Courses include Professional Environment Issues and Ethics, Leadership and Communication, and Research Methods, among others.
- Students can choose to fast-track the program and graduate in less than two years.
- Graduates will also earn an embedded certificate in Public Safety.
Standout Features:
As the final course of the program, the Professional Project must be completed. Students are required to start planning the project the moment they enter the program. This serves as the integrative culmination of the program of study, serving as a substantial piece of independent research consistent with the theme and content of the program of study.
Did You Know?
Tennessee Tech University has an accreditation from the SACSCOC. The university is considered one of the best public universities in the South.
University of Maryland

College Park, MD
Master of Professional Studies – Public Safety Leadership & Administration (PLA)
The University of Maryland offers one of the fastest Master’s degrees in Public Safety Leadership and Administration. Students can complete all degree requirements in as few as 18 months. This master’s degree is a Francis King Carey School of Law and College of Behavioral and Social Sciences joint venture. It is designed to equip professionals with skills and knowledge for an array of public safety careers.
- Students must complete 33 credit hours.
- Some courses in the program include Leadership in Diverse Organizations, Power and Status in Organizations, Making Sense of Criminal Justice Methods and Statistics, and Technology in Modern Policing, among others.
- Students have access to 24/7 support services.
Standout Features:
Along with the master’s degree in Public Safety Leadership and Administration, students will also be able to earn two graduate certificates:
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Leadership in Diverse Organizations
They are expected to acquire essential skills such as program assessment, leadership, and legal skills, among others.
Did You Know?
In 2021 alone, the University of Maryland recorded combined research expenditures of $1.1 billion. In the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey, the university ranked number 16 among public institutions for research and development spending.
It also made it to the top 10 among the country’s public institutions in terms of patents awarded, as vetted by the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association.
Lewis University

Romeoville, IL
Master of Science in Public Safety Administration
Lewis University offers the Master of Science in Public Safety Administration program that prepares students for leadership roles in a number of public safety fields, including law enforcement and emergency response. The program is ideal both for those working in private and public sector organizations and fields and prepares them for taking on leadership roles in these.
- The program contains a total of 36 credit hours.
- Courses are accelerated, letting students finish sooner, allowing for flexibility in their scheduling, and integrating best practice training.
- The program is primarily offered on campus, however, students with difficult schedules can also avail of a 100% online option, which consists of a pre-scheduled cohort.
- Students will also focus on risk and crisis management, as well as financial, budget, and data analysis.
Standout Features:
Students to the program who are active First Responders receive a 20% tuition discount, as well as a tuition deferral of six weeks after the end of each class. The program also features a comprehensive coverage of various approaches to risk and crisis management, as well as financial analysis, budgeting, and data analysis, and emphasizes developing ethical and professional practice.
Did You Know?
Lewis is part of the National Fraternal Order of Police University (NFOPU), a network offering specialized educational programs for National FOP members. It provides award-winning undergraduate and graduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Administration, aiming to deepen understanding of industry challenges, enhance career prospects, and foster ethical decision-making.
Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL
Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration
Western Illinois University’s Master of Arts in Public Safety Administration was designed as an interdisciplinary program to prepare students working in the fields of public safety and related fields to pursue career advancement and leadership positions. This program is designed by The School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, a top law enforcement program known for its academic excellence.
- The program features two options for completion:
- the 33-credit hour thesis option
- the 39-credit hour non-thesis option
- The program features a blend of theoretical, administrative, practical knowledge and research skills.
Standout Features:
Western Illinois University’s MA in Public Safety Administration is highly regarded for its quality not only within the state but nationally as well. The program provides students with the most current information in key areas of the practice, including:
- administrative & organizational behavior,
- law,
- quantitative research,
- and more.
The program also includes content from the fields of policing, fire, corrections, the courts, and security.
Did You Know?
Western Illinois University’s public safety education has a lot to show in terms of community impact. The latest figures from WIU indicate that over 30% of first-line supervisors and administrators in law enforcement agencies within the state obtained their degrees from WIU.
Choosing an Online Master of Public Safety Administration Program
When choosing an online school, ensure it is accredited to uphold educational standards and qualify for federal aid. Accreditation also helps with credit transfers and employment. MPA programs can earn additional accreditation from NASPAA, which may enhance the degree’s real-world value, though it’s not always required.
Here’s a quick guide on how to choose an online MPA:
#1 Your Career Goals
MPAs offer preparation for diverse careers in various sectors. To choose the right program, research curricula to align with your career goals, whether in government, nonprofit, or private sectors. Consider if you need additional work experience or internships, and decide if you prefer practical projects or research for your degree.
#2 Total Cost of Attendance
Earning an online degree can be expensive. On average, graduate tuition varies between $24,800 and $53,200. To manage costs, consider taking prerequisite courses at a community college and explore financial aid options such as assistantships, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans, which generally offer better terms than private loans.
#3 Program Flexibility
Evaluate the program’s flexibility with regard to online learning platforms and course scheduling. While some schools provide synchronous sessions with set meeting times, others might offer asynchronous courses that enable you to finish tasks at your leisure. Explore the program’s ability to help you manage your studies with other obligations and its provision of academic guidance and technological support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a Master of Public Safety Administration program differ from a Master’s in Homeland Security Program?
Public Safety Administration is considered part of the Criminal Justice field of discipline. It is focused on the specific needs of communities in the areas of law enforcement/policing, corrections, policy, crime deterrence and prevention, and other allied emergency and public safety concerns, such as responding to fire and health emergencies.
Homeland Security programs, meanwhile, tend to have a broader focus. It is a younger field with its current form born out of the events surrounding 9/11. Its original focus was on detecting and responding to terrorist threats, but it has since expanded to include a wider range of threats, including cyberattacks and even natural hazards.
Is a Master’s degree required to work in Public Safety?
Generally, entry-level jobs or even leadership roles in the field of public safety do not require a graduate degree for one to be competitive in the job market. However, a master’s degree can give them an edge when pursuing advanced roles in the industry.
A master’s degree in Public Safety can equip them with safety skills integral to lead along with modern techniques that are useful in managing public safety in the community.
What can I do with an online Master’s in Public Safety Administration degree?
Students who want to pursue careers in management, leadership, and administrative positions within public safety agencies and organizations will find an online master’s in public safety administration program highly beneficial.
Other potential career paths for public safety administrators include emergency medical technicians, public safety officials, emergency management directors, federal law enforcement officers, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, rescue professionals, and more.

Summary Points
- An online Master’s in Public Safety Administration is a program focused on preparing students to take on advanced/leadership roles in various public safety organizations and emergency management agencies, including local police, federal law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency services.
- A Master’s in Public Safety Administration degree is generally considered to be a part of the field of Criminal Justice and includes coursework that covers key areas in the said field, including corrections, crime prevention, and more.
- Public Safety Administration and Homeland Security are related fields that have largely similar end goals. However, they differ in a number of aspects, namely that Homeland Security currently has a wider scope.