Public Safety Management

Public administrators plan, organize, lead, and control the work of public organizations including governments, regulatory and law enforcement agencies, and public service departments. They implement public policies, set budgets, produce public goods and services, implement laws, and manage public resources like people, money, equipment, information, and work processes. They work throughout government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as in community agencies, private not-for-profit organizations, planning and consulting firms,and private sector organizations.

This program prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of public administration or to complete a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or a related major at a four-year university. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Public Administration program will be able to:

·       Describe and compare basic concepts, principles,and terms used in the study of law, public organizations, and public policy.

·       Summarize the structure and function of the U.S.legal system at the local, state, and federal levels.

·       Describe the structure and functions of various U.S. public institutions.

·       Examine the role of ethics in the management of public organizations.

·       Evaluate various management practices and leadership techniques used in public administration.

Career Options

Some of the career options in the field of Public Administration include:

·       Administrative analyst

·       City manager

·       City planner

·       City, county, or court clerk

·       Communications systems manager

·       Court administrator

·       Detention processing supervisor

·       Election supervisor

·       Operations manager

·       Personnel manager

Some public administration-related career fields require study beyond the associate degree level.

Transfer Information

Common university majors related to the field of Public Administration include:

·       Public Administration

·       Criminal Justice Administration

·       Organizational Studies

·       Political Science

·       Public Policy

·       Urban Studies and Planning

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university in this discipline should consult with a counselor or visit the Transfer Center to determine the appropriate major preparation courses for their specific transfer institution and major. More information on transfer programs and procedures is available in the Transfer Guide section of the catalog.

Certificate of Achievement 

Annual Completers: 24

AS Degree

Annual Completers: 25

The goal of the A.S. in Public Safety Management is to prepare students for initial employment in a variety of civilian clerical and supervisory positions within public safety agencies. Students develop a basic understanding of the role, mission, and processes of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies through a set of public safety-related courses. Students also develop knowledge and skills in communication, human relations, organizational management, and basic office productivity software.

• Describe and compare basic concepts, principles, and terms used in the study of law, public organizations, and public policy.

• Summarize the structure and function of the U.S. legal system at the local, state, and federal levels.

• Describe the structure and functions of various U.S. public institutions.

• Examine the role of ethics in the management of public organizations.

• Evaluate various management practices and leadership techniques used in public administration.

Career Options

Some of the career options in the field of Public Administration include:

·       Administrative analyst

·       City manager

·       City planner

·       City, county, or court clerk

·       Communications systems manager

·       Court administrator

·       Detention processing supervisor

·       Election supervisor

·       Operations manager

·       Personnel manager

Some public administration-related career fields require study beyond the associate degree level.

AS Degree

 Required Major Total                                                                       24-25 units

Completion of General Education (SDCCD GE and District 

Requirements or CSU-GE Breadth or IGETC pattern)

(Possible double counting:  9 units)                                                 21-33 units

Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)                                           2-17 units

TOTAL UNITS                                                                                    60 units

Required Major Total                                                                   24-25 units

Completion of General Education(SDCCD GE and District 

Requirements or CSU-GE Breadth or IGETC pattern)

(Possible double counting:  9 units)                                           21-33 units

Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)                                     2-17 units

 AS Degree TOTAL UNITS                                                          60 units

 Note: This is not a transfer program, so students will typically complete the college’s local GE pattern (SDCCD GE and District Requirements) plus electives to reach 60 total units for the degree. However, at the student’s request the college will also accept either the CSU GE pattern or the IGETC pattern to fulfill GE requirements.

 Proposed Sequence: 

Year 1, Fall = 15 units 

Year 1, Spring = 15 units

Year 2, Fall = 15 units

Year 2, Spring = 15 units

TOTAL UNITS: 60 units

Award Description:

The certificate of achievement in Public Safety Management prepares students for initial employment in a variety of civilian clerical and supervisory positions within public safety agencies. Students develop a basic understanding of the role, mission, and processes of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies through a set of public safety-related courses.Students also develop knowledge and skills in communication, human relations,organizational management, and basic office productivity software.

Courses Requiredfor the Major                                                                 Units

PADM 200         Introduction to Public Administration                                  3

ADJU 101          Introduction to Administration of Justice OR

HSEC 100         Introduction to Homeland Security                                      3

ADJU 201          California Criminal Procedure                                              3

BUSE 119         Business Communications                                                   3

BUSE 150         Human Relations in Business                                               3

BUSE 201         Business Organization and Management                           3

CBTE 180         Microsoft Office OR                                                   

CBTE 210         Computers in Business                                                         3

Complete at least three (3)units from the following courses (not selected above):

ADJU 101          Introductionto Administration of Justice                          3

ADJU 102          CriminalLaw I                                                                       3

ADJU 106          Diversityand Community Relations                                   3

ADJU 270          WorkExperience                                                                1-4

BUSE 205         LeadershipTheory and Practice                                        3

CBTE 180         MicrosoftOffice                                                                    3

CBTE 210         Computersin Business                                                       3

COMS 103        OralCommunication                                                          3

HSEC 100         Introductionto Homeland Security                                   3

HSEC 110         IntelligenceAnalysis and Security Management              3

HSEC 120         Transportationand Border Security                                  3                       

Total Units                                                                                                 24-25