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Integrated Studies, Public Safety

The Public Safety Concentration will allow public safety professionals to advance in their careers. In the program, public safety officials will have the opportunity to develop important knowledge and skills in crisis response, diversity, communication, and leadership. MTSU standard admission requirements apply. The B.S. Integrated Studies, Public Safety concentration will be an interdisciplinary program utilizing courses from five academic departments within the concentration. The program officially begins in the 2022 Fall Semester.

Those recommended for the program include those currently in law enforcement, homeland security, emergency management, fire safety, and other public service professionals at the local, state, and federal level with some college credit but no baccalaureate degree. The concentration also serves a variety of safety and other related service professionals in both the private and non-profit sectors. The degree is available online, allowing students complete their degree while continuing to work full-time. The opportunity for Prior Learning Assessment will also be available.

Elective course requirements for adult learners are often fulfilled through the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program, which evaluates college-level learning you may have gained through work, training, certifications. licensure, military. and other programs.

On average, a student in the PLA course yields 24 credit hours for a student. That saves the student from taking eight elective courses and more than $9,000. (Total based off 2021-2022 in-state tuition rates.) Details about the program should be discussed with your advisor.


What We're Doing

Professor teaching class

LEAD 3010 (Leadership Skills and Development)

LEAD 3010 is a core class in the Public Safety concentration. It provides an examination of prominent theories, approaches, and a research-based understanding of the theoretical construct of leadership.  Emphasis will be placed on the evolution of leadership theory and contribution of research to the synthesis of historical leadership perspectives into contemporary leadership models. 

“Students will explore and reflect on their personal leadership philosophy, as influenced by theory and personal experience,” says Jim Bast, Jim Bast, a faculty member in the Department of Management and instructor for LEAD 3010. “The leadership skills covered in this course are applicable in both public and private organizations.”

This course is asynchronous (content available for a week at a time) over 7 weeks. This allows working adults to complete the coursework at their convenience, dealing with busy work and home schedules. Also accommodates those students who travel.

Dianna Rust and President McPhee

Dianna Rust and President McPhee

"We are excited to announce a new concentration in Public Safety which begins in Summer 2022," said Dianna Rust, professor in MTSU’s Department of University Studies. "Our college has always been focused on serving the adult learner and this degree was built with adult learners in mind. It will be helpful to adults who work in public safety and related fields who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree but need to still work full-time." The degree can be completed entirely online and some of the courses will be offered in seven-week sessions so that you can concentrate on one class at a time. The program also provides adults an opportunity to gain credit for their prior learning, which can expedite reaching their goal of graduation. "Another feature is that the program includes courses from several departments so that students can receive a well-rounded foundation," she said.  Courses in the core range from leadership to communication to sociology. We want to recognize our partner departments whose faculty will be teaching in the concentration: Communication Studies, Health and Human Performance, Management, Sociology and Anthropology, and University Studies.


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A college degree in public safety can lead you into a variety of fields. From disaster relief to working for local fire or police departments, these careers are important and rewarding. Potential careers include:

  • Homeland Security Planner Emergency Management
  • Law Enforcement
  • Child protective services investigator
  • Correctional Officer
  • Military
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Emergency Services Manager
  • Fire Service Manager
  • Chief Security Officer
  • Emergency Medical Technician Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Social and Community Service Manager Dispatcher
  • Social services worker
  • Crisis manager
  • Community Service Officer

The Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies (B.S.) is an interdisciplinary degree offered through MTSU's University College. Students may choose from several pre-planned Areas of Emphasis through partnership with other university departments or design their own in consultation with an advisor.

Integrated Studies, Public Safety Concentration, B.S.

University Studies
615-494-7714
Dianna Rust, program coordinator
Dianna.Rust@mtsu.edu

The interdisciplinary Public Safety concentration will provide an adult degree completion program to public safety professionals and will provide them with the opportunity to develop important knowledge and skills in crisis response, diversity, communication, and leadership.

Academic Map

Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses:

Integrated Studies, Public Safety, B.S., Academic Map 

Degree Requirements

General Education   41 hours
Major Requirements   31 hours
Electives   48 hours
TOTAL   120 hours

General Education (41 hours)

General Education requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences.

Major Requirements (31 hours)

Required (16 hours)

  • COMM 3590 - Organizational Crisis Communication

    3 credit hours

    Focuses on communication theory, practice, and innovative approaches for handling organizational crisis. Highlights successes and failures for dealing with crisis leadership, managing uncertainty, communicating effectively, understanding risk, promoting communication ethics, and enabling organizational learning across a variety of organizations and crisis.

  • LEAD 3010 - Leadership Skills and Development

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Focuses on individual leadership development. Emphasis on leadership practices and skill development.

  • MGMT 3940 - Ethical Leadership in Business

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission to the College of Business. Focuses on individual actions required of ethical organization members and how a leader can use organizational factors to lead an ethical organization. Goal is to sharpen skills in areas including values alignment, ethical decision making, creating an ethical organizational culture, developing a strategic approach to social responsibility, and leading with empathy by considering different perspectives of right/wrong and the impact business decisions have on various stakeholders through the lens of current events.

  • PRST 3995 - Interdisciplinary Research and Problem Solving

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing; B.S. in Integrated Studies and Professional Studies majors only. Offers preparation for the senior capstone (PRST 4995) or practicum (PRST 4997). Explores and applies interdisciplinary research theory and processes. Emphasis on identifying interdisciplinary research problems, determining relevant disciplines, conducting a literature search, evaluating research, properly citing sources in writing, integrating disciplinary insights, and developing research proposal.

  • PRST 4000 - Public Safety Capstone

    1 credit hour

    Prerequisite: PRST 3995; senior standing. A capstone course in which students demonstrate skills and knowledge from the Public Safety concentration program of study (crisis response, diversity, communication, and leadership).

  • SOC 3300 - Diversity in the Workplace

    3 credit hours

    Covers various aspects of organizational diversity, focusing primarily on the United States. Explores current patterns of social inequality in the workplace with a specific emphasis on gender, race/ethnicity, age, and family arrangements. Focuses on the link between these social patterns and workforce diversity.

Public Safety Concentration Electives (15 hours)

  • COMM 3220 - Small Group Communication

    3 credit hours

    Exploration and application of pertinent concepts and theories of group dynamics, decision-making procedures, problem solving, and leadership.

  • COMM 3500 - Communication for Organizational Effectiveness

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: COMM 2100 and COMM 2140. Organizational communication and its relationship to employees, leadership, corporate culture, diversity, change, and innovation. Possible topics include work-life balance and organizational identity.

  • COMM 3650 - Conflict in Communication

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: COMM 2300; sophomore standing. Explores the role of communication in conflict management/resolution between or among individuals and groups. Also examines third party interventions (such as mediation and negotiation) and workplace policies (such as theft and employee assistance programs).

  • HLTH 3300 - First Aid and Safety Education

    3 credit hours

    (Same as PHED 3300.) Deals with first aid measures, accident prevention, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Addresses issues related to drug use/abuse and related acts of violence. Satisfactory completion of the course qualifies the student for Emergency Care and Safety Institute Standard First Aid and CPR certificates. NOTE: If taking online, student must take skills test with instructor in order to receive certification.

  • HLTH 4340 - Fitness Education for the Adult

    3 credit hours

    (Same as PHED 4340/REC 4340.) Planning, teaching, and participating in individual and group fitness programs for the adult. Offers preparation for administering and interpreting assessments of related components with understanding of physiological principles related to exercise in the adult. Major lifetime wellness activities covered.

  • HLTH 4400 - Drugs and Violence in Health Education

    3 credit hours

    Offers an understanding of the nature of drugs, relationships people form with drugs, and consequences of those relationships. Relationship of drugs to acts of violence considered as well as educational programs addressing issues related to drug use/abuse and acts of violence.

  • MGMT 3800 - Managing Change and Conflict in Organizations

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing; admission to the Jones College of Business. Examines contemporary thought on managerial roles in identifying, fostering, and implementing change in complex environments. Study of current developments in leading groups through change and managing conflict in organizations by use of competencies related to negotiation and mediation.

  • PRST 3010 - Prior Learning Assessment

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020 or equivalent; permission of instructor. Students will be required to prepare a portfolio of their college-level experiential learning for credit assessment; participate in a formal assessment process, and pass course PRST 3010. Students should consult their advisors to determine if experiential learning credit might be an option for them. Prior-Learning Assessed credit may be applied to the B.S. in Integrated Studies, Professional Studies, and Liberal Studies. PLA credit may also be applied to other degree programs. Check with your college advisor.

  • SAFE 4320 - Principles of Accident Control

    3 credit hours

    Basic course on principles, concepts, and methodology of the safety movement. Introductory experiences dealing with accident prevention and control efforts recommended for various social institutions and agencies.

  • SOC 4152 - Topics in Criminology

    3 credit hours

    An in-depth study of a special topic in criminology. Interested students should contact the instructor for specifics.

  • SOC 4160 - Sociology of Gangs

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisite: SOC 1010. History of gangs in the United States, the factors that account for their formation and perpetuation, and current empirical data on gang composition, demographics, and culture. Policy strategies for prevention, law enforcement, and nonlegal intervention assessed.

  • SOC 4400 - Sex Trafficking  3 credit hours  

    SOC 4400 - Sex Trafficking

    3 credit hours

    (Same as ANTH 4400.) Provides an in-depth analysis of the causes, experiences, and implications of global sex trafficking through a social science and feminist perspective. Utilizes various multimedia methods to examine sex trafficking both globally and locally; includes both an anthropological and sociological perspective, incorporating statistical analysis of-and individual narratives from-the transnational sex industry.

  • THM 4300 - Issues and Trends in Tourism and Hospitality Management

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisite: THM 3100. Examines current critical issues facing the hospitality and tourism industry. Through examination, students will assess the implications and impacts of these trends and issues as well as develop an understanding for how to manage, utilize, mitigate, and develop their outcomes.  

Electives (48 hours)

  • 3000 to 4000-level electives 5 credit hours
  • Unrestricted electives 43 credit hours

Curriculum: Integrated Studies, Public Safety

Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

Freshman Fall

  • ENGL 1010 - Expository Writing

    3 credit hours

    The first General Education English course. Emphasis on learning to adapt composing processes to a variety of expository and analytic writing assignments. Minimum grade of C- required to meet degree requirements.

  • Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
  • Mathematics 3 credit hours
  • Elective 3 credit hours

 

  • UNIV 1010 - University Seminar  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    UNIV 1010 - University Seminar

    3 credit hours

    Provides information to ease the transition to college during the first semester on campus. Helps student develop strategies for a successful college career.

  • Elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 15 Hours

Freshman Spring

  • ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required to meet degree requirements.

  • COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication

    3 credit hours

    Introduces principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025

  • Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
  • Elective 3 credit hours
  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 16 Hours

Sophomore Fall

  • ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture  3 credit hours  
    (Hum/FA) OR(Hum/FA) OR  dotslash:(Hum/FA) OR title:(Hum/FA) OR 
    (Hum/FA) OR 

    ENGL 2020 - Themes in Literature and Culture

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Traces a specific theme or idea through a number of literary texts that reflect different historical and cultural contexts. Subject will vary.

  • ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature  3 credit hours  
    (Hum/FA) OR(Hum/FA) OR  dotslash:(Hum/FA) OR title:(Hum/FA) OR 
    (Hum/FA) OR 

    ENGL 2030 - The Experience of Literature

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. The reading of a variety of literary types which illuminate themes and experiences common to human existence.

  • HUM 2610 - World Literatures  3 credit hours  
    (Hum/FA) OR(Hum/FA)  dotslash:(Hum/FA) title:(Hum/FA) OR 
    (Hum/FA) 

    HUM 2610 - World Literatures

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020. Representative works of French, German, and Hispanic authors in English translation. No foreign-language proficiency required. Carries General Education credit.

 

  • HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

    3 credit hours

    Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

  • HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

    3 credit hours

    Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from 1877 to the present. May be used to satisfy one part of the the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

  • HIST 2030 - Tennessee History  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2030 - Tennessee History

    3 credit hours

    The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030

  • HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I

    3 credit hours

    The role of African Americans in establishing and shaping the American nation. Covers their historical development and contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.

    NOTE: HIST 2040 is not a prerequisite for HIST 2050.

  • HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II

    3 credit hours

    The role of African Americans in shaping the American nation and creating a twentieth-century racial identity. Covers their historical development and examines their contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.

 

  • SOC 3300 - Diversity in the Workplace

    3 credit hours

    Covers various aspects of organizational diversity, focusing primarily on the United States. Explores current patterns of social inequality in the workplace with a specific emphasis on gender, race/ethnicity, age, and family arrangements. Focuses on the link between these social patterns and workforce diversity.

  • Humanities and/or Fine Arts 3 credit hours
  • Elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 15 Hours

Sophomore Spring

  • HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

    3 credit hours

    Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

  • HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

    3 credit hours

    Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. Discusses the era from 1877 to the present. May be used to satisfy one part of the the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

  • HIST 2030 - Tennessee History  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2030 - Tennessee History

    3 credit hours

    The role of the state in the development of the nation. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement. TBR Common Course: HIST 2030

  • HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I  3 credit hours  
    OROR  dotslash:OR title:OR 
    OR 

    HIST 2040 - Survey African American History I

    3 credit hours

    The role of African Americans in establishing and shaping the American nation. Covers their historical development and contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.

    NOTE: HIST 2040 is not a prerequisite for HIST 2050.

  • HIST 2050 - Survey African American History II

    3 credit hours

    The role of African Americans in shaping the American nation and creating a twentieth-century racial identity. Covers their historical development and examines their contributions to American art, music, literature, and religion. May be used to satisfy one part of the General Education History requirement.

 

  • LEAD 3010 - Leadership Skills and Development

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing; admission into the College of Business. Focuses on individual leadership development. Emphasis on leadership practices and skill development.

  • Social/Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
  • Natural Sciences 4 credit hours
  • Elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 16 Hours

Junior Fall

  • COMM 3590 - Organizational Crisis Communication

    3 credit hours

    Focuses on communication theory, practice, and innovative approaches for handling organizational crisis. Highlights successes and failures for dealing with crisis leadership, managing uncertainty, communicating effectively, understanding risk, promoting communication ethics, and enabling organizational learning across a variety of organizations and crisis.

  • MGMT 3940 - Ethical Leadership in Business

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission to the College of Business. Focuses on individual actions required of ethical organization members and how a leader can use organizational factors to lead an ethical organization. Goal is to sharpen skills in areas including values alignment, ethical decision making, creating an ethical organizational culture, developing a strategic approach to social responsibility, and leading with empathy by considering different perspectives of right/wrong and the impact business decisions have on various stakeholders through the lens of current events.

  • PRST 3995 - Interdisciplinary Research and Problem Solving

    3 credit hours

    Prerequisites: Junior standing; B.S. in Integrated Studies and Professional Studies majors only. Offers preparation for the senior capstone (PRST 4995) or practicum (PRST 4997). Explores and applies interdisciplinary research theory and processes. Emphasis on identifying interdisciplinary research problems, determining relevant disciplines, conducting a literature search, evaluating research, properly citing sources in writing, integrating disciplinary insights, and developing research proposal.

  • Upper-division electives 6 credit hours

Subtotal: 15 Hours

Junior Spring

  • Directed electives 12 credit hours
  • Upper-division elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 15 Hours

Senior Fall

  • Upper-division electives/minor 12 credit hours
  • Directed elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 15 Hours

Senior Spring

  • PRST 4000 - Public Safety Capstone

    1 credit hour

    Prerequisite: PRST 3995; senior standing. A capstone course in which students demonstrate skills and knowledge from the Public Safety concentration program of study (crisis response, diversity, communication, and leadership).

  • Upper-division electives/minor 6 credit hours
  • Upper-division elective 3 credit hours
  • Elective 3 credit hours

Subtotal: 13 Hours

Our adjunct faculty bring outstanding professional experience to our programs. Many are industry leaders with decorated careers and honors. Importantly, they are innovative educators who offer hands-on learning to our students to prepare them to enter and thrive in a dynamic, and oftentimes emerging, industry and professional world. They inspire, instruct, and challenge our students toward academic and professional success.

Prior Learning Assessment

Finish Your Degree Faster by Getting Credit For What You Already Know

  • Students may earn up to 60 hours­­—which equals two years of college credit—for what they already know
  • Credit hours earned depends upon the individual student’s background and experience

 There are numerous ways to earn college credit outside the traditional classrooms, and we will work with you to take advantage of all the methods that are right for you. Many adult students spend years in the workforce or military developing valuable skills, earning certifications, taking continuing education programs, and obtaining licenses for specific functions. At MTSU we have developed a means to turn this prior knowledge into college credit to complete a degree. View our PLA brochure here for more information.

 

Online or Hybrid Programs at a Glance

This program is available fully online.


For More Information or Explore Your Options​

Contact your department / program coordinator or advisor for more details about the program OR work one-on-one with your advisor to explore your options.


MTSU online logo

The Online Advantage​

With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, MTSU Online offers students access to innovative, high-quality programs. Designed with students in mind, our courses allow maximum flexibility for those unable to participate in person. ​

Resources and services for online students are available from MTSU Online or contact us at distance@mtsu.edu.

Contact Information

Peggy A. Carpenter, Ed.D
Assistant Dean | Academic Outreach
Middle Tennessee State University | University College
1301 E. Main Street, Box 54
Murfreesboro, Tenn. 37132
Office: 615-904-8092 | Fax: 615-494-8777

Who is My Advisor?

Rodney Robbins (A - B for Integrated Studies, Professional Studies, Applied Leadership)
Rodney.Robbins@mtsu.edu
615-898-5060

Megan Russell (C - H for Integrated Studies, Professional Studies, Applied Leadership)
Megan.Russell@mtsu.edu
615-898-5200

Denise Seyl (I - Q for Integrated Studies, Professional Studies, Applied Leadership)
Denise.Seyl@mtsu.edu
615-898-5230

Mona Snell (R - Z for Integrated Studies, Professional Studies, Applied Leadership)
Mona.Snell@mtsu.edu
615-898-5251

Emily Vogt (A - Z Undecided / General Education)
Emily.Vogt@mtsu.edu
615-494-8706

Mailing Address

University College M.P.S. Program
Middle Tennessee State University
503 East Bell Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130

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