As if protecting our safety isn't enough, we want our emergency medical professionals, firefighters, and law enforcement officers to be good managers, as well. That's because they work in organizations that can be even more responsive to the public when well-managed. To acquire management skills, public safety officials are seeing the need to continue their education — if they can just find the time.

Daniel Galvan, an Austin firefighter, has a schedule that is typical of public safety officials. "Juggling work and school is very difficult because I work a 24 hour shift with 48 hours off," he said. "If I worked an average eight hour day five days a week, then at least I would know that my evening would be open for study."

In response to this type of situation, beginning in Fall 2005, St. Edward's University will offer its Public Safety Management (PSM) degree program completely on-line. The program equips students with skills in communication, working with people, managing change, and creating innovation. The curriculum is designed to provide a basic understanding of public accountability including public relations, personnel administration, public finance and terrorism preparedness. The program was established by a consortium of public safety officials to develop effective leaders, promote career advancement and encourage collaboration among public safety entities and with the public.

On-line access to this program will benefit a group of students like Galvan who have difficult work schedules. PSM Program Chair Craig Campbell said, "We did a survey in the local area that found that people in the public safety occupations were overwhelmingly in favor of having on-line classes. Almost 96 percent of respondents were interested in taking on-line classes."

"On-line classes are the best thing to a student who has my schedule or something similar," said Galvan. "I took one such course in the past, and it was a great experience."

Another PSM student, Valli Wasp, an Emergency Medical Services professional who also has tried an on-line course added, "I can take my course work wherever I go, which is great when I travel with my job."

In addition to the convenience of on-line study, busy students also appreciate that the degree can be finished in five semesters. "This is an accelerated program. Since credits can be earned through learning gained in one's career, it can be even faster for some students," said Campbell.



Another advantage to on-line programming is that it opens the program to individuals and schools across the state. "We have received inquiries from community college programs that are looking for educational opportunities in these disciplines. Individuals who have completed an associate's degree now want to be able to attain a bachelor's degree," said Campbell.

"These days, it is almost impossible to take advantage of opportunities for professional growth without a four-year degree," said Wasp. Students can apply their enhanced management skills to be more effective in their current jobs while positioning themselves for the future.

The PSM program fits well into this scenario. It allows students to complete their degree in a subject that is directly related to their jobs. "I have been able to relate a lot of the information from my profession to the class setting, and vice versa," said Galvan.

"Something I would immediately relate from the classroom to the job is the study of public relations and the relationships formed between myself and the everyday public," said Galvin. "Now, when I go to work, my sense of responsibility as a community helper is at a heightened awareness. I know that when I'm in uniform, people should feel as though I can be approached and called upon under any circumstance."

This overriding duty to the public referenced by Galvan makes this management degree different from those in other fields. "Public safety is not a business," said Campbell. "It is a public service which requires commitment to the safety of the public first and foremost." When more public safety officials take up the offer to become better managers because of a more convenient PSM degree, the community will ultimately become a safer place to live.