Public Safety Management Course Descriptions

Course descriptions are listed numerically. Prerequisites, if any, are indicated in italics above the course descriptions. These prerequisites have been established to assure an adequate and uniform background for students in advanced classes. Franklin University reserves the right to alter course offerings or course content without notice. Not all courses are offered every trimester.

PSMT 225
Introduction to Public Safety Management (4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): None.
An introduction to the study of various agencies involved in public safety, including emergency management and homeland security. Emphasis will be placed on the history and evolution of the various public safety agencies, as well as the leadership and management challenges that are unique to these particular agencies.

PSMT 315
Contemporary Issues in Public Safety Management (4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and completion of all Professional Core courses. Not open to students with credit for PSMT 430.
This course provides an overview of selected topical areas of continuing interest and importance to public safety agencies.

PSMT 335
Emergency Management and Homeland Security (4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and completion of all Professional Core courses. Not open to students with credit for PSMT 435.
This course analyzes emergency management from a historical perspective. Disaster planning and disaster management in the post 9-11 environment are analyzed. The impact of Homeland Security on local public safety agencies is examined as are selected Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD #5 and HSPD #11 in particular). The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Plan (NRP) are examined with regard to their impact on local public safety agencies. Finally, special challenges for emergency management and disaster response will be analyzed.

PSMT 420
Public Sector Finance and Budgeting (4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and completion of all Professional Core courses.
A study of the techniques and operations of fiscal administration in the public sector. Particular emphasis is on public funding, spending, cash management and risk management. Emphasis also is on construction of budgets and the estimation of costs of resources and services.

PSMT 440
Administrative Law (4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and completion of all Professional Core courses.
This course is a study of administrative legal issues within the context of Public Safety Management. The topics include constitutional limitations, rule-making authority, licensing and standing, evidentiary rules, informal proceeding, ethics regulation and contractual law.

PSMT 480
Special Topics in Public Safety Management (1-4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Determined on a course-by-course basis and published in the trimester Course Schedule.
A variable content classroom course in Public Safety Management in which students pursue topics or subjects of current interest that are not part of the regular curriculum. A specific course description will be published online in the Course Schedule for the trimester the course is offered.

PSMT 495
Public Safety Management Capstone (4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Completion of all other major area courses. Not open to students with credit for AMGT 495.
This advanced course in strategic planning serves as the capstone experience for the Public Safety Management program. This course examines the design, implementation, and evaluation of organizational strategy, and the role of strategic planning in your professional environment. You will identify problems and opportunities; and assimilate, analyze, and interpret information, employing critical thinking and judgment to reach a well-reasoned strategic plan. Internal factors, such as ethics, leadership, organizational culture, and employee training will be considered as part of the analysis and planning process. The completed strategic plan and supporting work will be assessed by faculty.

PSMT 499
Independent Studies in Public Safety Management (1-4 cr. hrs.)

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, Financial Accounting (ACCT 215), Managerial Accounting (ACCT 225), Principles of Management (MGMT 312) and permission of Program Chair.
Independent studies courses allow students in good academic standing to pursue learning in areas not covered by the regular curriculum or to extend study in areas presently taught. Study is under faculty supervision and graded on either a Pass/No Credit or a letter grade basis. (See the “Independent Studies” section of the Academic Bulletin for more details.)