Safety Courses at Capella University
Program Name:
MS - Public Safety Leadership
| Survey of Public Safety Issues, Theories, and Concepts |
| Course Number |
PSF5002 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course provides learners with foundational public safety academic content that helps them prepare for course work in their chosen Public Safety specialization. Learners analyze various public safety theories, concepts, and research from the practitioner-scholar perspective, including law, policy analysis, emergency management and business continuity, leadership, multiculturalism, criminological theory, and public safety research methodology. |
| Research Methodology in Public Safety |
| Course Number |
PSF5006 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course presents an overview of various graduate-level public safety and criminal justice research methodologies. Learners study major research methodologies and quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research design approaches to rigorous scholarly inquiry. This course also provides an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research data analysis tools. This course is aimed primarily at master’s learners, although PhD learners may take it as an elective. |
| Public Safety Ethnic and Cultural Awareness |
| Course Number |
PSF5334 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this course examine the salience of race, ethnicity, and culture in public safety and the ways public safety addresses the diverse needs of multicultural citizens. Learners analyze cultural experiences from gender, social class, religion, and disabled-status perspectives, and study and apply theoretical approaches for addressing cross-culturalism. |
| Public Safety Organizational Leadership |
| Course Number |
PSF5600 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners In This Course Examine The Strategic Development And Direction Of Public Safety Leadership Within Policing, Law Enforcement, Fire Suppression, Emergency Management, And Emergency Medical Response In The United States. In Particular, Learners Focus On The Components Of Public Safety, Including Risk Assessment, Preparedness, Prevention, And Response In An All-hazards Environment. Learners Also Explore The Role Of The Public Safety Leader, The Need For The Integration Of Functions In Traditional Public Safety Agencies, Threats Ranging From Potential Bio-terror Attacks To Natural Disasters, And Contemporary Challenges Outside The Scope Of Public And Private Security And National Defense. Prerequisite(s): Mpa/ms In Public Safety Joint Degree Program Learners Must Have Completed Mpa5424. |
| Personal Leadership Development |
| Course Number |
PSF5601 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
In This Course, Learners Examine Their Personal Leadership Attributes, Characteristics, And Behaviors Within The Context Of The Type And Level Of The Organizations They Serve. Learners Also Evaluate Various Leadership Practices And Their Respective Applications. Prerequisite(s): Mpa/ms In Public Safety Joint Degree Program Learners Must Have Completed Mpa5424. |
| Leadership and Human Resource Management |
| Course Number |
PSF5602 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This Course Focuses On Organizational Planning, Which Includes Staff Acquisition; Team Development; Assigning Project Roles, Responsibilities, And Reporting Relationships; Motivation And Leadership; And Conflict Resolution. Learners Gain An Understanding Of The Relationship Between Human Resource Management And Project Management And The Processes Required To Make Effective Use Of People And Resources On A Project In Particular. Learners Also Participate In Self-assessment Exercises To Determine Their Competence In Applying Techniques Associated With Interfacing And Communicating With Project Stakeholders; Designing Effective Organizational Structures; And Managing And Resolving Change, Conflict, And Stress. Prerequisite(s): Mpa/ms In Public Safety Joint Degree Program Learners Must Have Completed Mpa5420. |
| Accounting and Finance in Public Safety Organizations |
| Course Number |
PSF5610 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This Course Is A Survey Of The Elements Of Financial Accounting And The Ways Organizations’ Activities Are Influenced By Accounting Measurement. Learners Focus On Becoming Good Consumers, Rather Than Producers, Of Financial Information And Engage In Course Topics And Exercises That Reinforce And Demonstrate The Implications Of Accounting Choices, Particularly In Public Service Or Government-funded Organizations. Prerequisite(s): Mpa/ms In Public Safety Joint Degree Program Learners Must Have Completed Mpa5404. |
| Integrative Project for Public Safety learners |
| Course Number |
PSF5991 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
In this course, learners demonstrate proficiency in their specialization area by applying learning from required and elective courses to complete an analysis of a public safety organization or system, or propose a new application in their professional field. |
Program description: The master’s Public Safety Leadership specialization focuses on leadership and theory relevant to the fields of law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, probation and parole, fire services, emergency management, 9-1-1 emergency communications, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and other protective and corporate security professions. This specialization teaches learners to think critically and broadly when assessing and addressing the complex issues of management and leadership. The Public Safety program, based on Capella’s practitioner-scholar philosophy, focuses on leadership, emergency management and preparedness, homeland security and terrorism, and security management at the local, state, and national levels. Successful completion of this specialization prepares master’s learners for careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, probation and parole, fire services, emergency management, 9-1-1 emergency communications, EMS, and other protective and corporate security professions.
Program Name:
PhD - Public Safety Leadership
| Advanced Research in Public Safety Issues, Theories, and Concepts |
| Course Number |
PSF8002 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course provides learners with advanced public safety academic content that helps them prepare for course work in their chosen Public Safety specialization. Learners critically analyze various public safety theories, concepts, and research from the scholar-practitioner perspective, including law and legal systems, leadership and leadership theory, community corrections, terrorism, criminological theory, and public safety research methodology |
| Contemporary Public Safety Leadership |
| Course Number |
PSF8601 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this course examine the factors contributing to increased demands on public safety agencies and the need for effective leadership at all levels within the public safety domain, including changing demographics, new technologies, globalization, and terrorism. Learners explore emerging issues, challenges, and theoretical assumptions of leadership in the public safety field and evaluate the impact of public safety paradigms on the ability to lead in an era of rapid and constant change. |
| Theories of Leadership |
| Course Number |
PSF8602 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this doctoral seminar course examine the leadership theories that inform public safety research and practice. Learners explore foundational tenants of leadership theory and evaluate their associated impacts on organizations, leaders, and followers. |
| Diversity Issues in Public Safety |
| Course Number |
PSF8606 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course focuses on the impact of increased diversity in our communities and the heightened need to understand and address how racial, ethnic, and cultural pluralism affect human behavior. Topics include ways in which public safety organizations must reflect changes in social attitudes, practices, policies, and concepts such as transparency, diversity, and inclusion within public safety organizations. |
| Public Safety Incident Command Paradigm |
| Course Number |
PSF8634 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
In this course, learners study the development and effectiveness of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) from its inception to its current state. Topics include examining integrated best practices, standards, and techniques critical to successfully managing national emergencies and leading the successful implementation of a national standard of practice for emergency response. |
| Epistemology of Practice Knowledge |
| Course Number |
HS8106 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this course examine theories that guide the acquisition of knowledge within human services professions. Learners critically analyze and evaluate the methods used to develop social science theory as a precursor to examining and applying the scientific method. Learners also study theory derivation, the link between research methods and theory, and the ways scholar-practitioners apply the scientific method. |
| Fundamentals of Social Science Research |
| Course Number |
HS8100 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course introduces learners to social science research, particularly in the context of human services. Learners focus on becoming educated consumers of research and examine major concepts and techniques of social science research, including problem formulation, identification of variables, literature review, research design, sampling, definition and measurement of study variables, instrument construction, and data collection and analysis. Learners also critically evaluate published research, apply research findings to professional practice, and practice designing research studies in their field of interest. |
| Quantitative Research Methods in the Human Services |
| Course Number |
HS8111 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this course examine the research methods and designs human service professionals use to solve specific social problems. Topics include human subjects protection, measurement, development of instruments, data collection and management, and initial phases of data analysis. Learners also consider methodological adaptations when conducting research with vulnerable and diverse populations. |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods |
| Course Number |
HS8112 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
In this course, learners evaluate qualitative research methods and designs. Learners focus on developing the skills used to synthesize information related to qualitative research methodology and examine ethical issues associated with the qualitative research process |
| Advanced Study in Research Methods |
| Course Number |
HS8113 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this course analyze the relevance and appropriateness of specific research methodologies in preparation for using them in the dissertation. The course emphasizes conceptualizing, planning, and designing a doctoral research proposal and includes topics such as planning and sampling; measurement; statistical and qualitative analytic models; results planning, analysis, and interpretation; and ethical considerations |
| Principles of Organization Theory and Practice |
| Course Number |
DPA8404 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This Course Presents The Ways Organizational Behavior Is Influenced By Individual Differences, Group Processes And Interactions, And Organizational Processes. Learners Examine Motivation, Productivity, Diversity, Group Development, Team Building, Collaboration, Coordination With Outside Contractors, Decision-making And Communication Processes, Power And Politics, And Organizational Culture. Learners Also Focus On Developing The Skills And Abilities Essential For Effective Management In Changing Organizational Contexts. Prerequisite(s): Completion Of Or Concurrent Enrollment In Dpa8400. May Be Taken Concurrently With Dpa8100. Cannot Be Fulfilled By Transfer. |
| Theories of Executive Human Resource Management |
| Course Number |
OM8201 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this doctoral seminar explore current trends in human resource research and the numerous theories of human resource management. Learners research articles and compare and contrast theories for their impact on the human asset management of the organization. |
| Needs Assessment: Models and Procedures |
| Course Number |
ED7641 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course is a survey of the needs assessment models and procedures used to diagnose the causes of workplace performance problems. Learners design and develop needs assessment instruments and collect and diagnose data to differentiate workplace performance issues that require training solutions from those that require non-training interventions. |
| Legal Systems, Labor Relations, and Regulatory Practices |
| Course Number |
OM8204 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this doctoral seminar examine key components of domestic and international legal systems, labor relations, and regulatory practices as they relate to organizational structure, business activities, and human capital management. Topics include law making, enforcement agencies, labor relations, legal processes, and litigation reduction and management. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
| Stress Management in Public Safety Organizations |
| Course Number |
PSF8626 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
Learners in this course study an integrated approach to assessing and managing stress in public safety organizations. Learners analyze various stress-assessment tools and stress prevention, intervention, and management strategies for public safety personnel. Learners also examine psychological and physiological approaches to identifying and managing stress, lifestyle-change stress reduction methods, and behavioral and organizational strategies for managing high levels of stress. |
| Doctoral Comprehensive Examination |
| Course Number |
ED9919 |
| Credits |
4.0 |
This course includes an overview of the comprehensive examination process, the university’s expectations of academic honesty and integrity, the three core themes of the examination, and the evaluation criteria. The courseroom mentor provides three questions addressing the core themes. Learners write answers to the comprehensive examination questions. Answers are evaluated by faculty readers using point-scale scoring rubrics. Upon passing the comprehensive examination, learners are eligible to enroll in the first dissertation course. |
| Dissertation Courseroom |
| Course Number |
EDD9920 |
| Credits |
0.0 |
This course provides learners with resources, guidance, and peer and mentor support during each dissertation course as they complete the required milestones. |
| Dissertation Research 1 |
| Course Number |
ED9921 |
| Credits |
5.0 |
Learners complete the required dissertation milestones and prepare their dissertation for publication. |
| Dissertation Research 2 |
| Course Number |
ED9922 |
| Credits |
5.0 |
Learners complete the required dissertation milestones and prepare their dissertation for publication. |
| Dissertation Research 3 |
| Course Number |
ED9923 |
| Credits |
5.0 |
Learners complete the required dissertation milestones and prepare their dissertation for publication. |
| Dissertation Research 4 |
| Course Number |
ED9924 |
| Credits |
5.0 |
Learners complete the required dissertation milestones and prepare their dissertation for publication. |
Program description: The doctoral Public Safety Leadership specialization focuses on mid-level and executive leadership theory, organizational theory, and research relevant to leading a public safety organization in a complex, post-9/11 environment. Doctoral-level courses based on Capella’s scholar-practitioner philosophy address relevant leadership and organizational theories and research common across the fields of law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, probation and parole, fire services, emergency management, 9-1-1 emergency communications, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and other protective and corporate security professions. Specific courses address principles of organizational theory, theories of leadership, organizational needs assessment, and grantsmanship. Successful completion of this specialization prepares doctoral learners for leadership or managerial careers in law enforcement, criminal justice, corrections, probation and parole, fire services, emergency management, 9-1-1 emergency communications, EMS, and other protective and corporate security professions.