Community Service and Public Safety

This AAS in Community Services and Public Safety prepares students for meaningful careers in public service, addressing workforce shortages in law enforcement, emergency response, and community-based organizations. This program equips students with the skills and knowledge to support individuals experiencing homelessness, assist families in crisis, advocate for vulnerable populations, coordinate disaster relief efforts, and improve access to essential resources such as healthcare, housing, and employment. Through classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and scenario-based training, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, cultural competency, ethical leadership, and effective communication skills. The curriculum explores career pathways in public safety and community services, integrating emerging technologies and real-world problem-solving to prepare students for fieldwork. Graduates will be ready for careers in public safety, crisis intervention, social services, and emergency management. Potential roles include community services coordinator, public safety specialist, crisis intervention advocate, housing and benefits coordinator, 911 dispatcher, and disaster response coordinator. The program also serves as a strong foundation for law enforcement training and further education in public safety administration, human services, or social work. Designed for individuals committed to protecting, assisting, and advocating for others, this degree provides a direct path to careers that make a tangible impact on communities. Whether exploring career options, seeking hands-on experience before entering specialized public safety roles, or advancing in a current field, graduates will be prepared to serve where they are needed most. Students admitted to the program may need to meet additional requirements typical for community services and public safety settings, including immunizations, a background check, and drug screening.

Program Learning Outcomes
  • Explore career options in public safety and human/public services. Outline professional development paths and choose one that aligns with your experiences, strengths, background, and interests
  • Use critical thinking to solve challenges in community services and public safety, including de-escalation, applying unified command, and acting inclusively, quickly, and fairly during crises and uncertainty.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in written communication, including objective, clear and concise report writing, narrative storytelling, and emergency communication, and explain the importance of accurate, unbiased reporting.
  • Communicate effectively with diverse populations in individual and small group settings, demonstrating empathy, behavioral interviewing skills, and active listening through role-play and case scenarios.
  • Demonstrate clear, compassionate, and culturally sensitive communication and understanding of systemic inequities and complex social issues.
  • Apply ethical and professional standards in community and public service roles. Communicate the importance of confidentiality, boundaries, and ethics as a representative of a service or public safety organization.
  • Recognize and show respect for the diversity and impacts of others’ life experiences, the impacts of trauma through the lifecycle and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team to support individuals through a crisis.
  • Be self-reflective about bias, tone, presence, and stress responses. Plan for self-care and support. Show commitment to ongoing personal growth in equity and inclusion.
  • Utilize technology commonly used in community services and public safety and demonstrate skills such as typing while listening and providing verbal or written responses under pressure and while multitasking using technology tools.
  • Understand the impact of mental health on community dynamics and demonstrate compassionate approaches to addressing mental health-related behaviors in community settings.
CIP Code
44.0000

Degrees