Program

Mid-Level Management Academy for Strategic Leadership

A Premier Next-Generation Public Safety Collaborative

NOBLE & UVA
Renee Hall Headshot

Today’s society and policing come with complex issues. We need operators who can challenge the status quo and deal with complex issues through collaboration, partnership and new ideas. Only by being around like-minded individuals, and learning from technology and innovation, can we push forward. When you invest in mid-level managers who have the power to influence change, culture, transparency and accountability, you create a vision before the vision. That’s what this program does.

Renée Hall (President, NOBLE)

Program Overview

NOBLE Logo

Endorsed by NOBLE, the Mid-Level Management Academy for Strategic Leadership program is for mid-to-upper-level law enforcement and public safety leaders. Focused on leadership, innovation and collaboration, the course inspires students to challenge traditional assumptions and provides an integrated, forward-looking approach to solving contemporary public safety challenges. This executive education experience is distinct from other leadership courses in its focus on areas that matter most to member organizations.

We welcome law enforcement professionals from all agencies across the nation to join this extended program, which is offered through a hybrid format (online with residencies).

Tracie Keesee Headshot

The ability to share concepts alongside real people who have lived through them is one of the most powerful things we can offer. There’s nothing more rewarding than being in a room with colleagues having a difficult conversation, knowing they’ve been through the same things you have.

Tracie Keesee (Associate Professor, UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies)

Format and Delivery

Seven people on a NOBLE panel address an audience. The fourth person from the left stands at a lectern while the rest sit.

Students will take five courses in a hybrid model, including:

  • Course 1: Four-day residency, followed by four weeks of online training
  • Course 2: Eight weeks of online training, punctuated with a residency from Course 4
  • Course 3: Four weeks of online training, followed by five-day residency and graduation
  • Course 4: Runs throughout duration of other courses and consists of a residency and mentoring and capstone components.

Students will experience practical, scenario-based learning with thought leadership from experienced law enforcement executives, university faculty, and national-level practitioners.

Application Information and Interest Form Coming Soon!

Ben Haiman

Joining an international national network through the University of Virginia is critical to the success and development of rising leaders. This collaborative allows the pursuit of quality executive education and is tailored to the unique needs of mid-level managers in public safety organizations.

M. Ben Haiman (Executive Director, UVA Center for Public Safety and Justice)

Upcoming Program Dates

  • Interest Deadline: September 1, 2026
  • November 2026 start: November 12, 2026 - May 18, 2027

Course Dates

  • At UVA: November 12 - 15, 2026
  • Virtual: November 23 & 30, December 7 & 14, 2026
  • In Washington DC: February 25 - 28 2027
  • Virtual: January 25, February 1, 8 & 15, 2027
  • Virtual: March 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2027
  • Virtual: April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2027
  • At UVA: May 14 - 18, 2027
Rodney Bryant Headshot

A mentor can speak to where you are right now. Continue to learn, and always keep a mentor close. Both are critical.  The mentoring portion of this program is critical.

Rodney Bryant (Former Chief of Police, Atlanta Police Department)

Credits Earned

A panel stands at attention during a NOBLE conference. There are eight people total, and the fifth and sixth people from the left hold a certificate.

Upon completion, graduates will earn 12 undergraduate or 12 graduate-level credits. Command College graduate credits are transferrable into UVA’s Master of Public Safety (MPS) program and meet half of the program requirements for a UVA MPS degree. Undergraduate level credits are transferrable into UVA’s Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program.

Key Takeaways

  • Students take four courses over approximately 5 months, split between in-person and online courses
  • This program is open to all public safety agency participants. Please reach out to a pre-admissions advisor with eligibility questions.
  • This curriculum is essential for law enforcement leaders from agencies of any size, and from any geographic location across the United States or internationally with content specifically informed in partnership with NOBLE.
Tuition & Fees
  • Undergraduate: $6,132
  • Graduate: $7,932
Dwayne Crawford Headshot

If you can’t lead, how can you serve? If leaders put service first, the rest will come. It comes down to the will of a human being to make another human’s future their opportunity. My success is dependent on your success, and vice versa. Learning with colleagues through this program will help distinguish you and your career trajectory.

Dwayne Crawford (Executive Director, NOBLE)

Required Courses

PSCJ 4310 | PSCJ 5310: Organizational and Personal Development

This course examines the personal and professional foundations of effective command leadership in modern public safety organizations. Participants explore ethical decision-making, constitutional responsibility, risk management, wellness, and trust-centered leadership in complex community and organizational environments. Through case studies, leadership assessments, and applied discussion, the course strengthens strategic thinking, self-awareness, and leadership effectiveness in high-pressure settings. The course culminates in the development of a personal leadership philosophy and a command-level risk action plan grounded in ethical and resilient leadership practices. 

PSCJ 4325 | PSCJ 5325: Community and Ethical Leadership, Mentorship and Capstone Projects 

This course examines ethical leadership in public safety with a focus on organizational culture, institutional trust, and leadership within complex community environments. Participants explore how historical, social, and organizational factors shape legitimacy, decision-making, and relationships between public safety agencies and the communities they serve. Through a hybrid model combining in-person instruction, structured mentorship, and applied leadership development, the course strengthens professional judgment, reflective practice, and the ability to navigate complex public safety challenges with accountability and credibility. The course culminates in a comprehensive capstone project in which participants conduct a professional analysis of a significant public safety issue and develop strategic, actionable recommendations informed by concepts and frameworks explored throughout the curriculum. 

PSCJ 4320/5320 - Leadership, Management, and Communication

This course examines the organizational and managerial responsibilities of executive leadership in modern public safety agencies. Participants explore workforce culture, personnel management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication in both routine operations and high-visibility environments. Through simulations, case studies, and applied leadership exercises, the course develops practical approaches to recruitment and retention, conflict resolution, organizational accountability, and communication across internal, public, and interagency audiences. The course also examines how leadership decisions, workplace culture, and evolving workforce expectations influence operational performance, public credibility, and long-term organizational effectiveness.

PSCJ 4340 | PSCJ 5340 : Negotiation and Collaboration

This course prepares command-level professionals to lead organizational execution, manage transformational change, and respond effectively to high-consequence public safety events. Participants examine how strategic priorities are translated into operational action through project implementation, innovation management, technology assessment, and organizational change processes. Using crisis case studies, tabletop exercises, and scenario-based applications, the course strengthens decision-making under pressure, interagency coordination, and operational problem-solving in rapidly evolving environments. The course emphasizes adaptive command practices, future-oriented planning, and the ability to guide organizations through disruption, crisis response, and long-term recovery. 

Note: The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

Ron Davis Headshot

Change is here, and change will come. Any organization that is stagnant will not survive. We have to constantly evolve. By identifying this gap, we put ourselves ahead.

Ronald L. Davis (Former Director, U.S. Marshals Service)

Ready to Learn More?

Submit this form to indicate your interest in applying for the Mid-Level Management Academy for Strategic Leadership or to nominate a professional for the program. 

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