Seminole State approved for new bachelor's of Public Safety Administration

Seminole State College of Florida was awarded approval for three new bachelor’s degree programs during the Florida State Board of Education meeting on Feb. 9, 2022 including a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration.

Emphasizing Leadership and Interagency Cooperation

The degree program will prepare students for management level employment opportunities in the sectors of law enforcement, fire services, corrections, and emergency medical services as first line supervisors of police and detectives, forensic science technicians, community and social service specialists, police and sheriff’s patrol officers, probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, firefighters, and first line supervisors of fire-fighting and prevention workers.

The bachelor's degree will offer three different specializations in criminal justice, emergency medical services and fire science. As public safety professionals work together on a daily basis, the coursework will reinforce the interagency cooperation that is critical to success in the field and will include real-world scenarios to heighten students' critical thinking to work in partnership.

“According to the five-year average supply, there are currently no other institutions that are offering a similar degree program within the service district. Seminole State stands ready to enhance the educational, economic, and cultural vitality of our region by providing exemplary learning opportunities for the diverse community we serve,” Lorenz continued.

A High-demand and Community-focused Degree

According to labor market projections by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, in the College’s service area there is a projected increase in demand of 97 annual job openings for the criminal justice fields and 39 job openings for fire services and emergency medical services, for a total of 136 annual job openings. Seminole County public safety leaders stressed the need for this program and provided letters of support to the Florida State Board of Education. 

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office originally approached the College in 2019 to develop this degree. “Based upon our past and current relationship with Seminole State College,” wrote Sheriff Dennis Lemma in his letter of support, "we are confident that they will deliver a program that provides baccalaureate graduates with the skills to lead within their field."

In his letter, Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris reaffirmed the county’s commitment to partnering with the program for hands-on learning opportunities. "This program will assist with filling a need for qualified employees in the fields of emergency planning, emergency management, criminal justice, fire science technology, and emergency medical services,” wrote Harris. “The Office of Emergency Management is committed to provide experiential learning opportunities for students enrolled in the program."

Focusing on the need for innovation, Seminole County Fire Department Chief Otto Drozd wrote, "The commitment to excellence through advanced knowledge that students within this degree will gain directly aligns with the goals of the workforce. Students need to be prepared to work in creative and diverse environments, while also bringing innovative ideas to manage and lead agencies into the future of these ever-changing industries." 

On March 18, 2002, the degree received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.