Online Associate of Applied Science Degree in Public Safety and Security

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Program at a Glance
  • An internship option allows you to gain real-world public safety experience while you earn your degree.
  • If you have prior experience in the public safety and security field, you may qualify for the practitioner concentration, which recognizes prior experience as degree credit.
  • This program is eligible for the Tuition Cap, which ensures you pay a fixed amount for your education.
COURSE EFFORT 15 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10 Weeks
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 90
TUITION CAP MAX COST $22,500
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

March 20
April 17
May 15
June 5

Associate of Applied Science in Public Safety and Security Overview

Secure the safety of your community and protect public and corporate assets by building your knowledge with Purdue Global’s online public safety and security degree. Coursework is designed to help you develop foundational knowledge of public safety and security, including practical and technical skills and competencies required by many public safety and private security firms. You’ll also focus on how to properly prepare, plan, and execute relevant plans of action.

Developed by Industry Leaders

The public safety and security associate’s degree was developed with the help of industry leaders active in national and private security companies and emergency response organizations. You will also learn from professors who are experienced professionals, bringing real-world knowledge to the courses they teach.


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Note: At this time, residents of Minnesota may not enroll in this program.

Our Tuition Cap Lowers the Cost of Your Education

Know exactly how much your education will cost when you enroll and save 33% off the total cost of your tuition.

Learn More

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for private detectives, investigators, and security professionals is expected to grow through 2026.*

A public safety associate's degree can help you pursue a number of different career choices in public and private sector security fields such as†:

  • Field or private investigator
  • Loss prevention investigator
  • Enforcement officer
  • Disaster relief worker
  • Safety officer
  • Corporate security officer

Local, state, and federal law enforcement jobs may require additional training or education beyond the associate’s level. Some positions require a 4-year bachelor's degree and/or additional state-approved higher education beyond the Purdue Global degree. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. Graduates of Purdue Global criminal justice programs are not eligible to attend police academies in Minnesota.

Use Your Law Enforcement Certification to Earn Credit

If you are a certified sworn law enforcement officer who has completed National Peace Officer Standard Training, your accomplishments may qualify you to receive 25 credits toward your associate’s degree.‡

Get a Head Start on Your Bachelor's Degree

By completing your associate’s degree, you’ll not only earn a valuable credential to make an immediate impact on your career, but you’ll also lay the groundwork for your next degree. Transfer your associate’s degree into a Purdue Global criminal justice or corrections bachelor’s degree, covering at least half of the program’s requirements.§

This program provides an introduction to criminal justice and public safety as well as the technology required to prevent and minimize criminal risk.

In your first course, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes. Your program will culminate with a capstone course that builds upon all the courses taken in the program.

Sample Courses
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Introduction to Emergency Management
  • Introduction to Corporate Security
  • Computers, Technology, and Criminal Justice Information Systems
See All Public Safety Courses

If you have prior experience in the public safety and security field, you may be eligible to enroll in the practitioner concentration, a flexible option that recognizes your past experience and learning for degree credit. Your prior knowledge could cover up to 20 credits in your degree plan—that’s a savings of 4 courses.

Note: to enroll in this option, you must be a certified law enforcement officer, have qualified through an articulation or partnership, or receive permission from the Dean.

Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits15
  • Major Credits50
  • Elective Credits25
  • Total Credits90

Ways to Save

  • Tuition Cap

    Save on Tuition With Purdue Global's Tuition Cap

    Pay a fixed amount for your undergraduate degree. Never owe more, even if you repeat a course. Available for select programs.

    How It Works

  • Financial Aid

    Learn How to Apply For and Receive Financial Aid

    Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs. Get answers to common financial aid questions, learn about federal student aid, and get the facts about military Shopping Sheets.

    Financial Aid FAQ

  • Prior Work Experience

    Leverage Your Skills to Earn Your Degree Faster

    Discover pathways to earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

    Your Experience Counts

  • Transfer Credits

    Finish What You Started

    Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

    Save Time and Money on Your Degree

  • Grants

    Determine Your Eligibility for Federal Grants

    Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available to Purdue Global students.

    Federal and State Grants

  • Prior Military Experience

    Graduate Sooner With Your Military Experience

    We offer college-level credit for ACE-evaluated military training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

    Credit for Military Training

Program Cost Estimator

Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.

Tuition Cap

$22,500maximum cost of attendance
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View Tuition Cap FAQs. The Purdue Global Tuition Cap may not be used in conjunction with any Purdue Global tuition reductions, including military spouse reductions. Military servicemembers and veterans are not eligible for the Purdue Global Tuition Cap.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Criminal Justice and Fire Science Faculty Directory
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our criminal justice programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

View Brochure
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Protective Service Occupations, www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/home.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

†Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

‡Students must currently be a certified law enforcement officer or a federal agent (FBI, DEA, ATF, etc.), or must have been certified in either of these roles within 24 months of their enrollment date. Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning Assessment policy.

§The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning Assessment policy.