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There will unfortunately always be internal and external threats to our safety, but there are people who work to keep us safe every day.

On September 11, 2001, our country experienced the worst outside terrorist attack in its history. The tragedy that still affects many of us today was on the cover of almost every major news outlet around the world. Ever since that horrible day, our country has drastically changed the way we view public safety. A degree in public safety administration prepares students for roles in emergency management, criminal justice, or health services management.

An undergraduate degree in public safety administration will give students a firsthand look into what the field is all about. What systems are in place to prevent such atrocities? How should we respond to tragic events? As undergraduates, students will be exposed to a variety of fields within the vast realm of public safety, and even get the opportunity to specialize or do internships in a particular area of interest.

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What type of degree in public safety administration should you get?

The most common degree for this major is a bachelor's of science. In some programs, you will either get the chance to or be required to declare a specialization, such as criminal justice. A degree with a specialization will allow you to take general major courses and electives in that specific area. Choosing a program with a specialization may be ideal for those who already know which field they want to go in to after graduation, or for people who are planning on getting their Master's later.

An online degree may be preferable for already working professionals or for students who are heavily dedicated to an outside activity. Online courses offer flexible schedules where students either can complete coursework and tests on their own time by a certain deadline, and/or only meet a few times a week in the evening. In addition, online degrees may be more affordable too, with plenty of scholarships and financial aid opportunities available.

Interested in online education? Clickhere to see College Choice's ranking of the Best Online Colleges and Universities.

How much money do people make with an online public safety administration degree?

According toPayScale, the average salary for someone who holds a BS in Public Safety is $59,053. Master of Science degree holders earn a bit more, averaging at $64,606. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for emergency management directors is expected to increase six percent between the years 2014 to 2024.

Common median salaries for this field include, but are not limited to: $64,000 for emergency management directors, $93,000 for all medical and health services managers, and $101,000 for police chiefs. It should be noted that experience and performance is probably the most important factor determining salary, among other things such as location. Although some of these advanced positions mentioned earlier may prefer someone with a Master's or other advanced degree, work experience is a high impactor.

What can you do with an online public safety administration degree?

This degree prepares graduates for careers at the local, state, or national level that deal with ensuring the safety of the public. These jobs work with education and prevention, direct response, and the aftermath effects of disaster. Popular sectors include homeland security, police or fire department, health services, or private security.

Because many of these jobs require additional licensure or certifications, an online degree in Public Safety Administration will usually lead students in the right path for completing those requirements either during or right after graduation. Students should not worry that an online degree will hold them back from potential jobs rather than obtaining an on-campus degree; in fact, "online" will never be present on the diploma.

What are the requirements for an online public safety administration degree?

Students should submit their transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendations, and any supplemental documents or essays if required. Although most programs do not outline a specific GPA they are looking for, many schools do have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students may also want to pursue related electives or advanced courses during high school, such as government or biology.

What are the best online public safety administration degrees?

College Choice has ranked the 10 best online degrees in public safety administration. These schools were ranked based on overall excellence and student success. Our data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, PayScale, the U.S. News & World Report, and individual college websites. We looked at factors such as tuition costs, financial aid given, reputation, graduation rate, and average student indebtedness.