The Bachelor of Arts in Public Safety Management (PSM) equips public safety professionals with skills in working with people, managing change within an organization, creating innovation, and utilizing communication skills to address social and organizational problems, as well as provide such professionals with a systematic understanding of public administration, including community relations, personnel administration, budgeting, and terrorism and disaster preparedness. This program is offered through P.A.C.E. (Programs for Accelerated College Education).

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Online Option Available
Beginning in the summer of 2005, classes will be available in an online format to meet both the scheduling needs of public safety personnel and the demand across the state. The program is designed as a degree completion program to finish the work started by our excellent community college system in Texas whether in fire science, law enforcement, police, emergency medical, emergency telecommunications, or emergency management.

For more information about online learning at St. Edward's University, please check the Online Student Information Site.

Assessment for Prior Learning
We also offer hours for prior learning of which working adults have had plenty.  An explanation can be seen at http://www.frc.stedwards.edu:8080/ramgen/newc/portfolio_process.rm

Certificated Learning Established as Transfer Credit
The Center for Prior Learning Assessment has conducted an extensive review of four professional licensing programs using the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) guidelines. The licensing programs are Emergency Medical, Fire Fighter, Peace Officer, and Funeral Home Director. St. Edward's University will award as transfer credit according to the following schedule. Students interested in receiving this credit should contact Dr. Susan Gunn for the application forms and to start the process.

1. Emergency Medical Service education, training, licensing, and certification has been determined to be equivalent to the following college hours.

Training Programs begun during or after Fall, 1999, either in Texas or out of state:
     EMT Basic: 6 hours general electives.
     EMT Intermediate: 18 hours general electives.
     EMT Paramedic: 43 hours general electives.

Training programs begun prior to Fall, 1999:
     EMT Basic: as above.
     EMT Intermediate and EMT Paramedic:
     Community college-based continuing education programs—as above.
     Proprietary schools: individual portfolio assessment
     Out-of-state certificates: individual portfolio assessment


2. Fire Fighter education, training, licensing, and certification has been determined to be equivalent to the following college hours.
     Fire Fighter licensing: 9 hours of elective credit
     EMT Basic: 6 hours general elective credit.


3. Peace Officer education, training, certification has been determined to be equivalent to the following college hours.
     Basic peace officer license: 16 hours of credit including credit for several specific
     criminal justice classes for those licensed after 1994. The specific classes that may be
     credited are American Law Enforcement; Law and Society; Criminal Investigation;      Criminal Law I and II, and Police Community Relations. A lesser amount may be
     awarded for licensing before 1994.