Public Safety Administration
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Online Degree Program

Introduction to Business provides an overview of the modern business environment and the foundational principles that influence business activity. This course examines the processes involved in creating, financing, marketing, and managing business organizations. Students also gain insight into the evolving nature of business, including the role of technology and management information systems.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze ethical and social responsibility issues that affect the contemporary business environment.
• Examine how business organizations structure operations and manage human and organizational resources.
• Analyze the principles of marketing, including marketing processes, consumer behavior, and customer relationships.
• Assess financial issues facing businesses today, including accounting, banking, securities, and investments.
• Evaluate the role of information technology in a business environment.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the study of business.

Principles of Management serves as an introduction to the discipline of management. It is designed to integrate the accepted theories in the area with real world applications to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed for managing others. This course begins with a discussion of the current issues in management and then proceeds to cover the traditional functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of the needs of modern public and private organizations, including emerging national and international trends.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Examine the role of managers in organizations, and identify the value of studying management.
• Describe managerial challenges and issues relating to ethics, diversity, and social responsibility.
• Demonstrate an understanding of management functions including planning and managing strategy.
• Examine organizational structure and human resources in relation to managing, organizing, and leading individuals and teams within the organization.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to management.

Project Management will introduce students to the various phases of project management which include project initiation, project planning, and project execution. Topics will include project strategy and selection, conflict resolution, managing for stakeholders, activity planning, budgeting, risk management, scheduling, resource allocation, monitoring and information systems, project control and auditing, and project closure.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and explain the foundations of project management.
• Discuss best practices for project initiation including project strategy, project selection, resolving conflicts, and managing for stakeholders.
• Demonstrate an understanding of project planning related to activity planning, budgeting, risk management, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Discuss the key elements of project execution including project control, project auditing, project closure, and monitoring information systems.
• Describe the role of project managers, their main responsibilities, and the key attributes which contribute to successful project managers.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to project management.

Diversity and Inclusion in Organizations provides students with a comprehensive and in-depth review of the factors related to these important issues. For this, the course will examine workplace, management, and psychological factors related to organizational, national, and global diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, students will explore best practices for managing a diverse and inclusive workforce in the global context.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze the global demographic trends, legislation, and policies on workforce diversity on a global scale.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the social psychological perspectives of workplace diversity.
• Examine best practices for managing a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive workplace.
• Examine how managing and engaging institutional diversity gives the organization a competitive edge.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to diversity.

This course examines public relations as a values-driven management function focused on building productive, ethical, and mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their key publics. Students explore foundational theories, historical development, social responsibility, and the use of emerging technologies and social media in contemporary PR practice. This course also examines the dynamic growth of global communications and the challenges it poses for public relations.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Examine the theoretical foundations, key terms, and historical development of public relations.
• Analyze the ethical and social responsibility issues that shape public relations practice.
• Evaluate best practices for using social media and emerging technologies in public relations.
• Assess the challenges and opportunities involved in the globalization of public relations.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to public relations.

3 Semester Units

Organizational Theory and Behavior offers an evidence-based management approach to organizational behavior with an emphasis on critical thinking and application. Students will examine best practices for becoming effective leaders and managers in organizations. This course will also explore emerging topics, trends, and research in the field of organizational behavior and organizational change.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define organizational behavior, key theories, theorists, and research in the field.
• Analyze the personality factors which contribute to understanding individuals in organizations.
• Explore the various approaches for influencing and motivating employees in organizations.
• Examine best practices for building relationships in teams, addressing ethical issues, and creating a diversity inclusive environment.
• Evaluate leaders as change agents and examine best practices for achieving an organizational culture.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to organizational behavior.

Human Resource Management explores the foundational principles and practices that support effective workforce management and organizational success. The course examines key HR functions including staffing, training, performance management, compensation, labor relations, employee development, and emerging trends in the field. Emphasis is placed on practical human resource strategies that support employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and workforce productivity.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Examine major trends, functions, and best practices in human resource management.
• Analyze staffing, recruitment, and training practices related to human resource management.
• Assess compensation strategies and total rewards systems within organizations.
• Evaluate the importance of employee relations, labor relations, ethics, social responsibility, and risk management in human resource management.
• Apply human resource management principles to challenges within global organizations.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to human resource management.

Organizational Change addresses the reality facing both small and large organizations in today’s global economy — constant change. Whether change is caused by disruptive technologies or rapid social, economic, political and environmental changes that alter existing realities, this course provides prescriptive advice, “how-to-do-it lists,” as well as up-to-date theory regarding change management. This course captures the management experience with change in order to assist all those who must deal with change across a broad cross section of the workforce, not just senior executives or organization development specialists.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define organizational change and discuss the major theories, models, and processes of leading change in organizations.
• Examine the importance of building, energizing, and navigating change within an organization.
• Examine best practices for navigating organizational politics, culture, and relevant stakeholders.
• Discuss key factors that contribute to becoming a successful change agent including action planning and implementation.
• Evaluate organizational change processes based on research into current needs and future trends.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to organizational change.

Introduction to Criminal Justice aims to provide students with a general understanding of the criminal justice system’s response to crime in society. It is important to note that the general theme of this course involves the delicate balance between community interests and individual rights that criminal justice decision-making requires. This theme will be explored by examining the criminal justice process, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the nature and extent of crime and discuss the foundations of law and the criminal justice system.
• Examine law enforcement from the history of policing through to contemporary issues and challenges confronting the profession.
• Describe the role of the courts in the criminal justice system and the process of prosecution, criminal trial, and sentencing.
• Discuss the key aspects of corrections including its history, community and institutional corrections, prison life, and parole.
• Examine special issues in criminal justice related to juvenile justice, terrorism, human trafficking, hate crimes, and the #MeToo Movement.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal justice.

Terrorism examines terrorist events and groups, analyzes responses to terrorism and the resulting changes in terrorist strategies, and looks at current and future trends for each continent. We will explore the current threat from global jihadist groups, analyze the increase in suicide bomber attacks, and assess profiles of prominent individuals involved in terrorism and terrorist networks. In addition, we will also explore ways to mitigate risks and manage incidents.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the various approaches to defining terrorism including key terms and concepts. Examine the history and study of terrorism.
• Discuss various global terrorist threats in the context of the international political environment.
• Describe the war on terror and discuss future trends in terrorism and risk management.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to terrorism.

Crisis Negotiation provide an up-close understanding of the training, knowledge, unconventional tactics, and strategies used by effective negotiators during crisis situations. Topics covered include an overview of the history of crisis management, the team elements involved in crisis negotiation, risk assessment, communication in crisis negotiations, and negotiating with individuals who are emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, depressed, or suicidal. The course also examines the dynamics involved in hostage situations. Additionally, the course addresses managing the stress and trauma that impacts the people who are involved in crisis incidents.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and discuss the terms crisis, the history of crisis management, and the elements of crisis response teams.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic approaches to negotiation, risk assessment, and communication in crisis negotiations.
• Examine best practices for negotiating with emotionally disturbed and mentally ill individuals, depressed and suicidal persons, and special populations.
• Evaluate special challenges in crisis negotiations related to hostage dynamics, managing stress and trauma, special topics in negotiations, and special topics.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to crisis negotiations.

Security Management provides students with a basic understanding of the growing field of private security—a field which has become a central player in nearly every facet of protection in terms of both people and assets. This course presents all the major threads of a powerful industry assuming more critical roles in the life and safety of a nation. The topics covered in this course include: the origins and development of security; private security and the law; risk management; crisis planning and prevention; the private security of critical infrastructure; the private security of art and cultural, educational, religious, and medical institutions; the private security of hospitality, gaming, event, and mall property; and information, IT, and computer security.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the history, concepts, definitions and roles, organizational structure and operations of the private security industry.
• Evaluate special considerations such as legal issues, risk management, crisis planning, and cybersecurity that impact private security.
• Analyze the role of private security related to protecting people and assets, human resources, and conducting investigations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the various security challenges related to emergency planning for public settings and cybersecurity.
• Examine future trends related to the field of private security.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to security management.

Intelligence and Counterintelligence provides students with a basic understanding of U.S. intelligence organizations. The core of the course is organized along the lines of the intelligence process as practiced by most intelligence enterprises: requirements, collection, analysis, dissemination, and policy. Each aspect is discussed in detail in terms of its role, strengths, and problems. Additionally, the course provides an understanding of the following: counterintelligence, inter-agency communications, oversight, intelligence analysis, professional ethics, intelligence reform, and foreign intelligence services.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define intelligence, counterintelligence, the development of U.S. intelligence, and the evolution of the U.S. intelligence community.
• Evaluate the major phases of the intelligence process including collection, analysis, counterintelligence, and covert action.
• Assess the role of the policy maker, the dynamics of congressional oversight in the intelligence process, and the intelligence agenda.
• Analyze and evaluate intelligence issues related to ethics and morality, intelligence reform, and global issues.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to intelligence and counterintelligence.

Foreign Policy explores the theory and application of political processes and policymaking in both a global and domestic context. For this, three approaches to U.S. foreign policy are covered including the policy approach, the historical approach, and the social science approach. In addition, this course explores how government, public opinion, interest groups, societal roles, and the media shape and drive U.S. foreign policy.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define foreign policy and discuss the global context and historical patterns of foreign policymaking.
• Analyze the role of the government and leaders in the policymaking process of foreign policy.
• Evaluate the societal context and key components of domestic politics which affect U.S. foreign policy.
• Examine the patterns of policymaking, important theoretical elements and policymaking models, and future challenges related to foreign policy.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to foreign policy.

The United States Health Care System course is designed to introduce students to the organization, structure, and operation of the nation’s health care system. This course aims to help students effectively identify their present and future roles as consumer, provider, manager, decision-maker, and analyst. The course examines an overview of the health care system, causes and characteristics of health service utilization, the nature of wellness and disease, individual provider settings, financial and nonfinancial resources used and needed, and the measurement of quality of care.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define health and healthcare key terminology, and analyze the role and process of healthcare in America.
• Describe aspects of employment in healthcare delivery including key personnel and the required education and training.
• Examine the various delivery systems in healthcare and discuss related legal, ethical, and political issues.
• Analyze issues in the healthcare industry regarding research, cultural competency, and international applications.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the United States healthcare system.

Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness promotes an awareness of the dimensions and complexities involved in interactions between health professionals and patients from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. It examines different cultural perspectives regarding health, illness and health care that exists within American society by demonstrating traditional health beliefs and practices among selected populations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of having culturally competent health care professionals to better serve an increasingly diverse population.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and describe the importance of cultural and linguistic competence in healthcare.
• Examine the various health domains including health, healing, and familial traditions.
• Analyze trends in healthcare and describe current issues and barriers to healthcare.
• Discuss health care problems in various demographic groups.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to cultural diversity in health and illness.

Social Media Marketing explores the growing popularity of using digital technologies to reach consumers. This course aims to further students’ working knowledge on the four zones of social media (community, publishing, entertainment, and commerce). The course explores how social media can be employed to build brands, conduct business, support causes, rally the masses, and forge and maintain relationships.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Summarize the process of social media marketing strategies, and describe key concepts related to this process.
• Examine social media consumers and the dynamics of online communities.
• Analyze the four zones of social media including social community, publishing, entertainment, and commerce.
• Examine social media data management and measurement.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to social media marketing.

Introduction to Psychology introduces the methods and findings of contemporary psychology and investigates how psychological science can be applied to the world around us. Emphasizing the need for scientific and critical thinking, topics include a survey of biology and behavior, sensory processes, human development, learning and motivation. Emotion, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, and social interaction are also examined to provide students with a solid understanding of the facts, principles, and theories which make up the field of psychology.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the historical foundations of the field of psychology, the function of the brain on behavior, stages of human development, and psychology as a scientific field of study.
• Demonstrate an understanding of processes related sensation and perception, states of consciousness, conditioning and learning, memory, cognition, language, and intelligence.
• Examine motivation and emotion, sexuality and gender development, and personality development.
• Evaluate psychological disorders and psychotherapies.
• Examine key concepts related to the fields of health psychology and applied psychology.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to the field of psychology.

Health Psychology examines the correlation between health, illness, and optimal health care from a behavioral science approach. The relationship between health and behavior is explored through an integration of foundational theories, relevant research, and “real-world profiles.”

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe and discuss the meaning and foundations of health psychology including the psychological and ethical aspects related to the field.
• Analyze issues in behavioral health including the affects and impact of drugs and alcohol, eating, and exercise.
• Describe the relationship between behavioral factors and strategies related to chronic disease, stress, pain, and illness.
• Examine future trends and challenges in health psychology.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to health psychology.

Social Psychology offers students an in-depth look at how people come to understand themselves and others in a social context, with considerable emphasis on society’s role in social psychology. Each chapter in this course will introduce students to key individuals within the realm of social psychology whose research has made a significant contribution to the field.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define the field of social psychology and describe its foundations, key terms, and theories.
• Examine theoretical perspectives related to social psychology and research methodologies.
• Evaluate the individual in society including stratification, self and identity, and socialization over the life course.
• Analyze the various areas of social life.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to social psychology.