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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Safety

School of Public Service Leadership

Public Safety Leadership specialization

Hone your expertise and advance your career in the growing field of public safety leadership. This PhD in Public Safety specialization combines doctoral research and a deep exploration of leadership and organizational theories, with courses that emphasize management skills, such as needs assessment, human resources, training, diversity, and labor relations. This doctoral specialization takes public safety leadership to the executive level for those who plan to lead, teach, or consult in the field of public safety, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, criminal justice, corrections and other public and private security and protective professions.

Concentration option: As part of this specialization, you can use your electives to earn a concentration in Public Health or Homeland Security for no additional time or money. Contact an enrollment counselor for details.

Residential colloquia

As a PhD learner, you will attend three three-day residential colloquia at specific stages in your program. Learn about the residential colloquia experience.

Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this program
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: December 7, 2009
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $4,485
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $3,945

78% of our learners receive aid.

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Image of Charles Tiffin, Capella University faculty chair in Public Safety which offers online public safety courses Image of Charles Tiffin, Capella University faculty chair in Public Safety which offers online public safety courses

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSF8002 - Advanced Research in Public Safety Issues, Theories, and Concepts
  • PSF8601 - Contemporary Public Safety Leadership
  • PSF8602 - Theories of Leadership
  • PSF8606 - Diversity Issues in Public Safety
  • PSF8634 - Public Safety Incident Command Paradigms
  • HS8106 - Epistemology of Practice Knowledge
  • HS8100 - Fundamentals of Social Science Research*
  • HS8111 - Quantitative Research Methods in the Human Services*
  • HS8112 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods*
  • HS8113 - Advanced Study in Research Methods*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSF8620 - Principles of Organization Theory and Practice
  • PSF8621 - Theories of Executive Human Resource Management
  • PSF8622 - Needs Assessment: Models and Procedures
  • PSF8623 - Legal Systems, Labor Relations, and Regulatory Practices
  • PSF8624 - Designing Training and Performance Solutions
  • PSF8625 - Grant Writing
  • PSF8626 - Stress Management in Public Safety Organizations
  • HS9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • HS9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • HS9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits

Seven Elective Courses

  • Choose any graduate courses.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
Course Descriptions

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Learn more about our related specializations:

PhD

Master's degree

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