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Public Safety Leadership and Administration (Executive Fire Administration), MPSLA

Fire service agencies could use someone like you: passionate about reducing risk and preserving the safety of the communities in your care. Navigate fire and emergency services as a leader who understands the function and impact of budgeting and finance, emergency services operations, fire services innovation and public policy.

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Phoenix Fire Department participants engage with a classroom speaker, reflecting the teamwork built in ASU's Public Safety Leadership program.

Quick facts

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

The Master of Public Safety Leadership and Administration program with a concentration in executive fire administration prepares you to handle the challenges facing chief officers. Through coursework in strategic planning, public policy and administration, leadership and organizational management, data analysis, finance and technology, you develop a solid foundation of knowledge and skills on which to build success within the fire service.

Curriculum

This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.

30 credit hours - course-based master's

Required Core (15 credit hours)
CRJ 510 Criminal Justice Planning and Program Evaluation (3)
CRJ 574 Executive Leadership Principles in Public Safety (3)
PAF 506 Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
PAF 507 Public Human Resource Management (3)
PAF 508 Organization Behavior (3)

Concentration (9 credit hours)
CRJ 570 Leadership for Innovation in Public Fire Services (3)
CRJ 573 Emergency Services: Operations Analysis and Planning (3)
PAF 560 Community Resilience (3)

Electives or Research (6 credit hours)

Additional Curriculum Information
This master's degree is a course-based program. Students choose two courses from a restricted list or any graduate-level CPP or PAF course, with program approval, for the electives or research credits.


What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Integrate theoretical perspectives on leadership into the planning of public safety programs.
  • Formulate a final program evaluation research paper based on foundational knowledge of organizational leadership and administration.
  • Evaluate approaches to effectively manage organizational operations and change efforts in fire services.

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology or criminal justice, public administration or public service, sociology or social work, public safety or fire service management, parks and recreation management, applied sciences or another closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. two letters of recommendation
  4. written personal statement
  5. evidence of current employment in an organization in the field of the degree program and concentration or at least two years of professional experience in the field of the chosen degree program and concentration
  6. resume or curriculum vitae
  7. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The written statement should be one or two pages and describe the applicant's prior education, relevant professional experience and career goals, and explain how the criminal justice program will help them attain their career goals. The statement should explicitly explain how their plans are consistent with the role and mission of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at ASU.

It is recommended that applicants who feel that they are weak in a particular area or admission requirement address their plan to remedy any shortcomings if they are granted provisional admission to the degree program.

Application deadlines

Fall
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C Online 08/01 Final*
Session B Online 09/23 Final*
Spring
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C Online 12/23 Final*
Session B Online 02/24 Final*
Summer
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C Online 04/29 Final*

*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Career opportunities

Graduates with a concentration in fire administration are well-equipped to drive innovation from the upper levels of fire service in federal, state and local fire departments and emergency management agencies. They should expect to find employment and advancement in all levels of government agencies as well as in the private sector.

Career examples include:

  • firefighter supervisor
  • fire inspector
  • fire investigator
  • fire prevention and protection engineer
  • municipal firefighter

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice | UCENT 600
idpadvising@asu.edu
602-496-0485

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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