Public Safety Administration
The Public Safety Administration curriculum is designed to provide students, as well as practitioners, with knowledge and skills in the technical, managerial, and administrative areas necessary for entrance or advancement within various public safety and government organizations. Course work in diverse subject areas includes public safety administration and education, interagency operations, crisis leadership, government and agency financial management, professional standards, incident management, administrative law, and supervision, while providing a streamlined pathway that recognizes the value of previously earned skillsets and credentials within the public safety sector. Employment opportunities exist with fire departments, emergency management organizations, governmental agencies, industrial firms, private industries, insurance organizations, educational organizations, and through self-employment opportunities.
This degree has two tracks to tailor students' experience in their desired or current field of expertise. The Emergency and Fire Management track targets those who are working in Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services and aspire to move into leadership positions within their agencies. Similarly, the Fire Management track is designed for those who are currently working in the fire service and want to prepare for promotion in their career.
This degree is supported by faculty with relevant higher education credentials and public safety experience. Earning an Associate in Applied Science in Public Safety Administration will prepare practitioners for administrative duties, policy creation/revision, servant leadership, and crisis management which makes graduates highly employable.
Degree Awarded
The Associate in Applied Science Degree - Public Safety Administration is awarded by the college upon completion of this program. Students may select one of the following tracks within the program:
- Public Safety Administration - Emergency and Fire Services Track (A55480E)
- Public Safety Administration - Fire Management (A55480F)
Admissions
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Some courses require placement tests prior to registration.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Courses section for details.
Contact Information
The Public Safety Administration program is in the Public Safety and Transport Technology Division. For more information, contact the Public Safety Administration Division at 704-330-2722 ext. 7030.
Public Safety Administration - Emergency and Fire Management Services Track (A55480E)
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Writing and Research in the Disciplines | ||
| Literature-Based Research | ||
| Professional Research & Reporting | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Cultural Studies | ||
| Myth in Human Culture | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Jazz | ||
| Philosophical Issues | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| American Government | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Select one of the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required courses: | ||
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| PAD 252 | Public Policy Analysis | 3.0 |
| PAD 254 | Grant Writing | 3.0 |
| Select one from the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Emergency Management Services Law & Ethics | ||
| Fire Protection Law | ||
| Ethics in Government | ||
| Select one from the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Local Government Finance | ||
| Public Finance & Budgeting | ||
| Select one from the following courses: | 3.0 | |
| Critical Incident Management for Public Safety | ||
| Incident Management | ||
| Select one from the following courses: | 2.0 | |
| Law Enforcement Management & Supervision | ||
| EMS Management | ||
| Managing Fire Services | ||
| Track technical required courses: | 21.0 | |
| Intelligence Analysis and Security Management | ||
| Emergency Management | ||
| Response & Recovery | ||
| Building Construction | ||
| Fire Service Supervision | ||
| Fire Service Personnel Administration | ||
| Municipal Public Relations | ||
| Select 9.0 credits from the following courses: | 9.0 | |
| Community Policing | ||
| Ethics & Community Relations | ||
| Organization & Administration | ||
| Policing in the 21st Century | ||
| Rescue Scene Management | ||
| EMT | ||
| EMS Management | ||
| Introduction to Fire Protection | ||
| Fire Prevention & Public Education | ||
| Detection and Investigation | ||
| Inspections and Codes | ||
| Industrial Fire Protection | ||
| Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Fire Fighting Strategies | ||
| Advanced Fire Fighting Strategies | ||
| Fire Instructor I & II | ||
| Fire Officer I & II | ||
| Fire Dynamics and Combustion | ||
| Chemistry of Hazardous Materials I | ||
| Chemistry of Hazardous Materials II | ||
| Fire and Social Behavior | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Public Safety Administration - Fire Management (A55480F)
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Writing and Research in the Disciplines | ||
| Literature-Based Research | ||
| Professional Research & Reporting | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Cultural Studies | ||
| Myth in Human Culture | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Jazz | ||
| Philosophical Issues | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| American Government | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| PAD 252 | Public Policy Analysis | 3.0 |
| PAD 254 | Grant Writing | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Emergency Management Services Law & Ethics | ||
| Fire Protection Law | ||
| Ethics in Government | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Local Government Finance | ||
| Public Finance & Budgeting | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Critical Incident Management for Public Safety | ||
| Incident Management | ||
| Select one from the following: | 2.0 | |
| Law Enforcement Management & Supervision | ||
| EMS Management | ||
| Managing Fire Services | ||
| Technical Requirements | ||
| EPT 140 | Emergency Management | 3.0 |
| FIP 120 | Introduction to Fire Protection | 3.0 |
| FIP 132 | Building Construction | 3.0 |
| FIP 140 | Industrial Fire Protection | 3.0 |
| FIP 220 | Fire Fighting Strategies | 3.0 |
| FIP 240 | Fire Service Supervision | 3.0 |
| FIP 248 | Fire Service Personnel Administration | 3.0 |
| Select 9.0 credits from the following: | 9.0 | |
| Response & Recovery | ||
| Fire Prevention & Public Education | ||
| Detection and Investigation | ||
| Inspections and Codes | ||
| Fire Protection Systems | ||
| Advanced Fire Fighting Strategies | ||
| Fire Instructor I & II | ||
| Fire Officer I & II | ||
| Fire Dynamics and Combustion | ||
| Chemistry of Hazardous Materials I | ||
| Chemistry of Hazardous Materials II | ||
| Municipal Public Relations | ||
| Fire and Social Behavior | ||
| Community Policing | ||
| Organization & Administration | ||
| EMT | ||
| Rescue Scene Management | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| Work-Based Learning I | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| NCCCS Public Safety Training | ||
| Total Credits | 66 | |
Public Safety Administration Certificates
Public Safety Administration certificates are awarded in the following areas:
- Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Fire Management (C55480-C1)
- Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Firefighting Strategies (C55480-C2)
- Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Emergency Management (C55480-C3)
- Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Public Safety Administration (C55480-C5)
Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Fire Management (C55480-C1)
| Major Requirements: | ||
| EPT 140 | Emergency Management | 3.0 |
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| FIP 240 | Fire Service Supervision | 3.0 |
| FIP 248 | Fire Service Personnel Administration | 3.0 |
| FIP 276 | Managing Fire Services | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Firefighting Strategies (C55480-C2)
| FIP 132 | Building Construction | 3.0 |
| FIP 220 | Fire Fighting Strategies | 3.0 |
| FIP 221 | Advanced Fire Fighting Strategies | 3.0 |
| FIP 224 | Fire Instructor I & II | 4.0 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Emergency Management (C55480-C3)
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| EPT 140 | Emergency Management | 3.0 |
| EPT 150 | Incident Management | 3.0 |
| EPT 210 | Response & Recovery | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Public Safety Administration Certificate Specialization in Public Safety Administration (C55480-C5)
| Major Requirements | ||
| CJC 240 | Law Enforcement Management & Supervision | 3.0 |
| EPT 140 | Emergency Management | 3.0 |
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| PAD 152 | Ethics in Government | 3.0 |
| PAD 251 | Public Finance & Budgeting | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Public Safety Administration Suggested Course Sequences
The following is the suggested plan for when to take each course to complete the Associate in Applied Science degree, based on the program requirements of the 2025-2026 catalog. This is only a recommendation — you may take courses in another order upon consultation with your advisor. This plan is based on you starting with college-level math and English courses, starting your program in the fall, and attending full-time. You can also follow this sequence if you attend part-time. Speak with your academic advisor about the plan and any questions. This program might also offer diplomas or certificates; visit the catalog or contact the program for details. Visit the Academic Advising page for instructions on locating your assigned advisor: https://www.cpcc.edu/academics/academic-advising
- Public Safety Administration - Emergency & Fire Services (A55480E)
- Public Safety Administration - Fire Management (A55480F)
Public Safety Administration - Fire & Emergency Services (A55480E)
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| EPT 140 | Emergency Management | 3.0 |
| PSY 150 or POL 120 | General Psychology or American Government | 3.0 |
| FIP 132 | Building Construction | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term II | ||
| FIP 228 | Local Government Finance | 3.0 |
| FIP 152 | Fire Protection Law | 3.0 |
| COM 231 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| EPT 150 | Incident Management | 3.0 |
| MAT 152 | Statistical Methods I | 4.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term III | ||
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3.0 | |
| PAD 252 | Public Policy Analysis | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Term IV | ||
| EPT 210 | Response & Recovery | 3.0 |
| FIP 276 | Managing Fire Services | 3.0 |
| FIP 248 | Fire Service Personnel Administration | 3.0 |
| FIP 240 | Fire Service Supervision | 3.0 |
| EMS 235 | EMS Management | 2.0 |
| You may have completed a program certificate(s). Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 14 | |
| Term V | ||
| FIP 256 | Municipal Public Relations | 3.0 |
| PAD 254 | Grant Writing | 3.0 |
| CJC 162 | Intelligence Analysis and Security Management | 3.0 |
| CJC 215 | Organization & Administration | 3.0 |
| CJC 212 | Ethics & Community Relations | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 67 | |
Public Safety Administration- Fire Management (A55480F)
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| PAD 151 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3.0 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| COM 231 | Public Speaking | 3.0 |
| FIP 120 | Introduction to Fire Protection | 3.0 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Term II | ||
| FIP 124 | Fire Prevention & Public Education | 3.0 |
| PAD 252 | Public Policy Analysis | 3.0 |
| EPT 140 | Emergency Management | 3.0 |
| MAT 143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3.0 |
| FIP 152 | Fire Protection Law | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term III | ||
| FIP 276 | Managing Fire Services | 3.0 |
| FIP 132 | Building Construction | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Term IV | ||
| PAD 254 | Grant Writing | 3.0 |
| FIP 228 | Local Government Finance | 3.0 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3.0 |
| FIP 220 | Fire Fighting Strategies | 3.0 |
| FIP 136 | Inspections and Codes | 3.0 |
| EPT 150 | Incident Management | 3.0 |
| You may have completed a program certificate(s). Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 18 | |
| Term V | ||
| FIP 140 | Industrial Fire Protection | 3.0 |
| FIP 240 | Fire Service Supervision | 3.0 |
| FIP 256 | Municipal Public Relations | 3.0 |
| ART 111 | Art Appreciation | 3.0 |
| FIP 248 | Fire Service Personnel Administration | 3.0 |
| You may have completed a program certificate(s). Confirm eligibility with your academic advisor. | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 67 | |