Master of Public Safety

The Master of Public Safety is an online program designed for working public safety professionals who want to improve their leadership skills.

The coursework focuses on developing today's public safety leaders for tomorrow’s public safety challenges. The curriculum is relevant to law enforcement and adjacent public safety fields including the fire service, emergency management, and more.

Graduates will earn a degree from the University of Virginia, one of the nation’s top public universities, and finish the program with a deeper understanding of how to run complex organizations, negotiate and collaborate with peer agencies from the local level to the national, and build and nurture the community relationships that are vital for success.

Scholarships available! See below!

Key Takeaways

• 31-32 credits / 11 courses / 20 months on average to complete
• Start dates in January, March, June, August and October
• The core courses are offered throughout the year over five eight-week sessions. A comprehensive exam or capstone is required before graduation.
• All core coursework is completely online and delivered asynchronously, meaning students have flexibility to access instruction and coursework on their own time in order to meet course deadlines and requirements. A weekly live session is offered in each class and recorded for those who cannot attend. Instructors support students each step of the way as they build critical skills, and students will have the opportunity to participate in discussion labs and live group work.
• Graduate-level courses completed in the FBI National Academy, FBI ELEVATE, OPE C-STEPS, or UVA National Criminal Justice Command College may fulfill credits required in the Master of Public Safety program. Depending on the number of graduate credits received, students could finish the Master of Public Safety in as little as one year.

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What You Will Learn

The MPS is a dynamic degree. It is designed for leaders who want to go to the next level. Sometimes that “level” might be a promotion, but most often it’s about innovation and problem-solving through thought leadership. Most of our students are primarily interested in creating greater public safety for their community.

If you think public safety is at its peak - if you think it’s good enough - the MPS might not be a good fit. We are challenging the status quo. We are leaning in and actively embracing change. The curriculum focuses on the many changing realities of modern public safety. Graduates will finish the program with a deeper understanding of how to run complex organizations, negotiate and collaborate with peer agencies, and build and nurture the community relationships that are vital for success.

The Value of the Master of Public Safety Program

Hear from Law Enforcement Professionals About the Master of Public Safety Program

Transcript for Law Enforcement Professionals Video

When I got into the MPS program, I was, um, an inaugural student in the program. It was brand new, so I have a lot of pride in that. I think the critical thinking skills that you get with your formal education, uh, post-secondary education is really a key factor in preparing, uh, leaders, uh, and preparing young officers, uh, for leadership roles, not just uh sworn officers but also, uh, support professional staff that might want to go up the chain. Uh, and law enforcement communities, I firmly believe over the over the past 40 years there have not been enough centers like this that focus primarily on the development, uh, enhancement research, uh, understanding of technology that's gonna be required or that is required of, uh, police officers and police leaders today because I think is the higher you go up in an organization. You don't have to know everything, but you need to know a lot about a lot of things and the only way you're gonna get that and that experience to make you competent, uh, and make you successful is to constantly look for opportunities to, uh, learn. I think that any time that you could have centers such as this that's dedicated to a specific task of enhancing the profession, um, similar to what happens in corporate and other. institutions, I think that it's, it's invaluable because there's so much expectations of police leaders, there's so much expectations of police departments. That I think that, you know, it's critical uh for law enforcement agencies, uh, and, and leaders to have a full understanding of just what the best practices are. My journey from where I was before my master's degree and graduating the MPS program to where I am now, um, is, is all because of it.

Hear from Shelley Forker About Her Master of Public Safety Experience

Transcript for Shelley Forker Testimonial

If you're ready to stretch your thinking, elevate your leadership, and engage with public safety more strategically, this program is for you. UVA's NPS program was built around real pressures, decisions, and systems that define the emergency services of today. I was also drawn to the opportunity to study alongside professionals from different public safety sectors. As a firefighter, I was in the minority, considering most students come from a law enforcement background. That diversity of experience was essential to me. It challenged me to engage with new perspectives and deepen my understanding of the broader public safety landscape. It helped me to move beyond the operational side of things and into a mindset that includes policy, ethics, and leadership. I ask better questions in the field about interagency coordination, and I reflect more on how public safety agencies are viewed through the essential systems that keep us going, such as human resources and municipal administration. My professors were not only accessible, but exceeded my expectations, especially when classes were out of session and I needed to discuss ideas for professional and academic purposes. Given that many students had to balance shift work, family life, and coursework, the instructors supported us with empathy and encouragement throughout our studies. Through team projects and one on one interactions, I created connections that extend beyond the classroom and into my professional network. The MPS program was intense yet empowering. There were moments when I would work on assignments between calls or write papers after a 24 hour shift on the engine, but I was never alone. The program structure combined with the support of the professors and the camaraderie among peers made it manageable. Someone was constantly posting on discussion boards or replying to comments, and professors were promptly grading papers and responding to emails. After graduation, I was accepted into a PhD program in Fire and Emergency Management Administration. The MPS program not only prepared me with writing skills but also provided interdisciplinary insights to further advance in academia. In the long term, I plan to transition into an academic role where I can teach, conduct research, and contribute to the evolution of public safety policy and practice, paying forward the same sense of empowerment and inspiration that my professors instilled in me. It's challenging, but not in a way that's disconnected from the world. Every assignment, every discussion, every reading has real world relevance to the job that you do every day. The program is designed for individuals who are actively engaged in their career, but are ready to challenge the status quo of their profession and affect change for the future of their community.

Tuition and Admissions Information

Tuition & Fees

• Estimated cost: $18,870 for 10 courses, or $9,435 for 5 core courses only. Students will choose between a comprehensive exam or capstone course, which will add $629 or $1,258 in tuition, respectively.
• Pay the same tuition rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
• Students have access to financial aid, scholarships and payment plans.
• Additional fees may apply, including course materials. Tuition rates are adjusted annually.

See Tuition Details

Scholarships

Lexipol Public Safety Fellowship

Supported by a generous gift from Renee and Gordon Graham, the Lexipol Public Safety Fellowship is awarded to students enrolled in the Master of Public Safety program at UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program

New and returning students in certificate or degree programs in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies also are eligible to apply for the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program. 

For more information about scholarships, please email scps-scholarships@virginia.edu.

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Deadline Information

• To begin in the fall (August): application must be submitted by July 1
• To begin in the spring (January): application must be submitted by November 1
• To begin in the summer (June): application must be submitted by April 1

Requirements for Admission 

Prospective students may apply to be admitted into one of three terms (Summer, Fall, or Spring) and to be eligible must have: 

• Significant professional experience in public safety (typically 5 or more years and supervisory experience)
• Either (1) a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or (2) a bachelor’s or graduate degree supplemented by a SCPS criminal justice program certificate
• Bachelor’s GPA of 2.5 or higher* 

*Students with limited professional experience or less than a 2.5 GPA may petition the Program Director for an exception. 

Meeting minimum requirements and completing an application does not guarantee admission.

How to Apply 

Complete an online application.   

• Unofficial transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities attended, demonstrating excellent academic performance. Applicants who are offered admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts of their undergraduate degree prior to attending the University. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified.
• TOEFL, IELTS scores (if applicable)  
• Statement of Purpose describing your reasons for pursuing the degree, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background which may aid the admission committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. (approximately 500-750 words)  
• Resume detailing professional experience, education, and other relevant accomplishments.
• Two letters of professional reference that address the applicant’s suitability for graduate study.
• No application fee required!

Program Components

All coursework (core courses and approved electives) must be completed with a grade of B (3.0) or better in order to count towards the degree. Students may retake a course if they get below a B (3.0). All requirements must be completed within five years of starting the program.

Core Courses (5)

All core courses are offered each semester. Elective offerings vary by term.

PSPS 6000 – Transformational Leadership in Changing Times

This course explores public safety leadership concepts and essential approaches needed in forging lasting, collaborative relationships with the public they serve. Students will analyze complex social and security issues. While maintaining a mindset of sociocultural awareness and sensitivity, students craft solutions to those public issues by applying advanced knowledge of public safety planning, management, and response.

PSPS 6010 – Constitutional Framework of Public Safety

This course will explore the Constitution as the ethical compass that guides the work of public safety professionals and cement a fundamental understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the subsequent 27 amendments to the Bill of Rights. Students will read each provision closely and discuss their views as to what the framers' intended at the time of ratification, and how the courts have subsequently interpreted its meaning. Particular emphasis will be placed on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments and their applicability to public safety policy and operational strategy. Students will develop a detailed understanding of both the powers and limitations that arise from the Bill of Rights, and closely examine the evolution of the rule of law that frames and guides their work.

PSPS 6030 – Developing and Implementing Systems of Emergency Preparedness

This course will examine joint operations and incident command for complex events, both planned and unplanned. Particular emphasis will be placed on command structure, continuity of operations, public safety response to community/public health emergencies, occupational health and safety, local systems and resources, inter-agency cooperation, and communications and technology support. Students will also engage the various law and policy issues that inform public safety responses in this critical sphere and will apply their knowledge through scenario-based exercises.

PSPS 6040 – Creating and Sustaining Community Dialogue

This course focuses on the application of dialogue and deliberation skills and principles in the context of public safety. Students will gain understanding and practice in engaging communities in dialogue and deliberation around such challenging issues as inequality and power; interactions in the aftermath of tragedy; officer fear and anger; historical, political, and economic divides; implicit biases and stereotype threat; and the importance of building coalitions across boundaries.

PSPS 6050 – Stewardship of Public Assets and Managing Human Capital

This course examines public sector budget planning, analysis, execution, and management. Students will develop a detailed understanding of the legal aspects of public employment law, and the short and long-term impact of recruiting and retaining talented employees. Special emphasis will be placed on the means by which evidence-based strategies may be applied to determine the appropriate number of resources to deploy to normal and complex operations.

Additional Components

Elective Courses (5)

Students can complete a set of restricted electives from a variety of fields. Again, students who have successfully completed graduate coursework for the FBI National Academy, FBI ELEVATE or UVA National Criminal Justice Command College can count those credits toward the degree.

Electives from Certificate Programs

Students can also choose to take electives drawn from these graduate certificate programs in UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies:

• Cyber Security Management
• Human Resources Management
• Public Administration
• Leadership
• Procurement & Contracts Management
• Project Management

MPS-Specific Electives

MPS-specific electives are also available and are designed to complement the core courses: 

• PSPS 6005: Practical Applications of Risk Management in Public Safety Operations
• PSPS 6015: Practical Application and Understanding of Data for Public Safety Managers
• PSPS 5500: Contemporary Issues in Leadership
  • Advances in AI Impacting Public Sector Leadership
  • Policing in Nazi Germany

Concentrations

Students can choose to “concentrate” electives drawn from these graduate certificate programs in UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies and thereby earn a “concentration”:

• Cybersecurity Management
• Human Resources Management
• Public Administration
• Leadership
• Procurement & Contracts Management
• Project Management

A concentration in the MPS program is defined as 15 credits from a single graduate certificate area’s core courses, supplemented by approved electives from the same area as needed (when the core curriculum is less than 15 credits). The current core courses and approved electives are described elsewhere in the Graduate Record (see School of Continuing and Professional Studies: Certificate Programs).

Comprehensive Exam or Capstone

In their final semester students have two paths to complete the degree: take and pass a one-credit Comprehensive Exam in the core of Public Safety or take a two-credit capstone course that includes a written paper and video presentation.

Hear From an MPS Student

Transcript for Captain Ryan Hutchison Testimonial

So I chose the UVA MPS program because of the, the cool classes, the professors on staff, and, uh, it just turned out to be a great fit for myself. So for me having a wife and a teenage daughter, uh, just balancing schedules but just being intentional with my time and um I believe anybody if if you have the dedication and the discipline, it's anybody can accomplish it. The flexibility of having online lectures that are uh optional and recorded was a great fit for myself because I was able to work and return to the class if I had missed anything. The interaction with the professors in the online lectures and then the cohort itself. Uh, learning from pracademics all around the country and even around the world, uh, provided just such a, uh, invaluable resource of, uh, knowledge and experiences that you can't get anywhere else. The learning objectives from the emergency preparedness class really provided me with a foundation of, uh, understanding that came in handy after Hurricane Helene decimated the western part of North Carolina. The demands of graduate school, uh, for me was time management. I have a wife and daughter that were extremely, uh, supportive and understanding of what was required for me to excel and, uh, and accomplish this, this, this undertaking. So any time you have the opportunity to uh invest in yourself, I would say go after it. I can't encourage you enough to go uh and tackle a graduate school program. I will, I will most definitely recommend that people, uh, explore the UVA and PS program. It's been a. Great fit for me and I believe that it could be for anybody else in the field. The education and professional growth I've received through this, uh, program has positioned me to be a better candidate for promotion in my future with UVA. I've been extremely satisfied and thankful for the opportunity that I've had.

Meet the Lecturers