Public Safety Executive Leadership, Certificate
The post-baccalaureate certificate in Public Safety Executive Management through the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety Program (EPPS) at the School of Law will fill a critical gap by providing evidence-based training on the legal considerations, skills, and disciplines that public safety professionals in all stages of their careers need to ensure the delivery of fair, effective public safety services.
There is increasing recognition in the United States that current police training models are insufficient to meet the needs of modern communities. Currently, there is no center in the country dedicated to developing and delivering evidence-based training for public safety professionals at every stage of their career, in all skills and disciplines necessary to deliver fair, effective public safety services. The School of Law and the EPPS Program are uniquely positioned to offer an innovative course of study. Our faculty have deep expertise working collaboratively to improve public safety at the local, state, and federal level. Drawing on firsthand experience working in public safety, at the National Institute of Justice, and at academic institutions including Harvard Law School and New York University School of Law, our leadership and faculty have the skills and gravitas to develop, refine, and deliver professionally appropriate, career-enhancing training programs.
The graduate certificate in Public Safety Executive Management will consist of four (4) required courses totaling twelve (12) hours, with an additional four (4) hours of electives to be completed after all required courses. The program will use virtual and in-person modalities to offer value-centric training modules grounded in evidence-based adult-learning pedagogies. Our course list was selected in consultation with law enforcement professionals from across the state of South Carolina and beyond, and with subject matter experts, pedagogical specialists, and experienced instructional designers to ensure that each course will provide an in-depth exploration of a range of critical topics, equipping police leaders with knowledge and practical skills that they can immediately incorporate into their practice to improve the delivery of public safety services.
The post-baccalaureate certificate in Public Safety Executive Management through the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety Program (EPPS) at the School of Law will fill a critical gap by providing evidence-based training on the legal considerations, skills, and disciplines that public safety professionals in all stages of their careers need to ensure the delivery of fair, effective public safety services.
There is increasing recognition in the United States that current police training models are insufficient to meet the needs of modern communities. Currently, there is no center in the country dedicated to developing and delivering evidence-based training for public safety professionals at every stage of their career, in all skills and disciplines necessary to deliver fair, effective public safety services. The School of Law and the EPPS Program are uniquely positioned to offer an innovative course of study. Our faculty have deep expertise working collaboratively to improve public safety at the local, state, and federal level. Drawing on firsthand experience working in public safety, at the National Institute of Justice, and at academic institutions including Harvard Law School and New York University School of Law, our leadership and faculty have the skills and gravitas to develop, refine, and deliver professionally appropriate, career-enhancing training programs.
The graduate certificate in Public Safety Executive Management will consist of four (4) required courses totaling twelve (12) hours, with an additional four (4) hours of electives to be completed after all required courses. The program will use virtual and in-person modalities to offer value-centric training modules grounded in evidence-based adult-learning pedagogies. Our course list was selected in consultation with law enforcement professionals from across the state of South Carolina and beyond, and with subject matter experts, pedagogical specialists, and experienced instructional designers to ensure that each course will provide an in-depth exploration of a range of critical topics, equipping police leaders with knowledge and practical skills that they can immediately incorporate into their practice to improve the delivery of public safety services.
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge and Application of Leadership and Management Principles. Candidates will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and thoughtful application of leadership and management principles, including to think strategically; design and sustain effective systems; establish and ensure accountability; build consensus; create change in culture, climate, or practices; and influence better outcomes for community members, agency employees, and the profession.
- Knowledge and Application of Legal Considerations. Candidates will demonstrate a practical familiarity with the legal doctrines and principles and govern the day-to-day administration of public safety agencies.
- Communication Skills. Candidates will be able to communicate orally and in writing clearly and effectively, with a particular specialization in the types and contexts of communication common to public safety executives such as with internal team members (supervisors, peers, and subordinates), external stakeholders (community members and elected officials), and media (traditional and social).
- Knowledge and Application of Ethical Principles. Candidates will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and thoughtful application of ethical guidelines relevant to their professional role.
- Cultural Competence. Candidates will demonstrate a high level of competence in understanding and responding to professional and community diversity along a range of dimensions.
- Skills in Identifying and Using Professional Resources. Candidates will demonstrate a high level of skill in identifying and using the human, material, and technological resources needed to perform their professional roles and identify and interpret relevant research to keep abreast of the field’s changing knowledge base.
- Skills in Collaborating and/or Mentoring. Candidates will demonstrate the flexible, varied skills needed to work collaboratively and effectively with supervisors, peers, and subordinates in professional roles.
- Advocacy Skills. Candidates will demonstrate competence in articulating and advocating for sound professional practices and public policies for the positive improvement of public safety outcomes.
Requirements for Admission:
- Successful completion of undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
- Two letters of recommendation (For current law enforcement officers, one letter should be from the chief of police or equivalent leader supporting applicant's candidacy while employed).
- Interview
- Admission preference will be given to South Carolina law enforcement officers.
- GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores are not required.
Certificate Requirements (18 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LAWG 701 | Principles of Leadership & Management: Legal, Ethical, and Organizational Considerations | 3 |
| LAWG 702 | Evidence-Based Policing & Public Safety | 3 |
| LAWG 703 | Civil Rights: Practices for Public Safety Leaders | 3 |
| LAWG 704 | Sound Agency Management: Law, Policy, and Strategy | 3 |
| Select six credits of elective coursework from the following: | 6 | |
| Co-Producing Public Safety: Building Trust and Centering Community Needs | ||
| Critical Incidents: Responding to and Learning from Near Misses and Unintended Outcomes | ||
| Collaborative Communications in Public Safety | ||
| Budgeting, Fiscal Management, and Strategic Planning for Public Safety Leaders | ||
| Legal and Ethical Considerations in Public Safety: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond | ||
| Crime Prevention: Law, Research, Strategies, and Tactics | ||
| Leadership for Officer Health, Safety, and Wellness | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |