Bachelor of Science in Public Administration; Concentration in Fire Safety Administration
The Fire Safety Administration area of concentration in Public Administration is designed for professionals interested in administrative positions within the field of fire services. It follows a two-plus-two basis: students take the first two years of coursework at an accredited community college and receive an AAS degree in Fire Science Management. In addition, students must take another 15 credits of specialized professional fire administration coursework through distance education from an approved college representative for the National Fire Academy. Students must then complete remaining degree requirements at UNLV to earn a BS in Public Administration with a concentration in Fire Safety Management. Courses in Fire Science Management from the AAS degree may apply only toward the Fire Safety Management concentration.
Learning Objectives
- Have an overview of the management of public service organizations, including:
- List the legislation and identify relevant case law that shapes public personnel policies.
- Identify the different personnel systems that operate in public organizations.
- Explain the different theories of motivation.
- Differentiate elements of budgetary systems.
- List and explain the stages of the budgetary process.
- Be able to apply quantitative and qualitative techniques to policy, programs, and decisions, including;
- Identify and explain the stages of the policy process.
- List decision-making techniques used in the public sector.
- Communicate both orally and written material in a clear, concise, and logical manner to permit the information to be used for decision-making.
- Input data into standard statistical and informational computer programs.
- Collect information from a variety of sources and synthesize the material to aid in making management, program, and policy decisions.
- Understand the public policy and organizational environment of public service, including:
- Identify and explain the components of our constitutional system of government including federalism and intergovernmental relations.
- Identify and explain the role of leadership in organizations.
- Identify the most current organizational frameworks.
- Identify the best practices in management.
- Identify the elements of the historically important theories of public administration.
- Explain the ethical foundation and perspectives underlying public administration and apply them at both the organizational and personal level.
Career Possibilities
This degree is designed for individuals already employed in Fire Safety Services and are interested in career advancement. Examples of potential positions include Fire Safety engineer, Fire Safety inspector, Fire Safety director, and Fire investigator. There is increasing demand for Chiefs of Fire Departments to possess management skills associated with a college degree.
Related Academic Unit(s)
