Skip to Content

Joseph F. Rice School of Law – Public Safety Executive Leadership Programs

A police officer wearing a high-visibility vest and body camera stands in front of a chain-link fence, observing a public event.

Lead with Law. Advance Public Safety. Transform Your Community.

Advance your public safety career with flexible, online legal courses and training from the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law. 

Get Started

Where Public Safety Meets Executive Leadership

Taught by experts in law, criminology and criminal justice, our graduate and certificate programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to advance your career as a public safety executive, inform your leadership philosophy and competency, and ensure you are well-equipped to be an agent of change for the advancement of public safety in your community.

  • Hybrid Program

    Our groundbreaking hybrid program combines online learning and campus-based instruction at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law to provide an exceptional educational experience.

  • Tailored for Professionals

    This program is specifically designed to advance public safety practices, providing actionable strategies for students to improve their approach to leadership and foster cultures of innovation and learning.   

  • Trusted Authority

    Developed and taught by experts in law, criminology and criminal justice, the curriculum leverages effective adult-learning principles to communicate evidence-based knowledge, skills and attitudes.

 

Turning Your Interest Into an Advantage

With no GRE or LSAT required, this is a rare opportunity for public safety professionals, government leaders, policymakers and community advocates to gain advanced legal and leadership insight. Strengthen your ability to navigate the legal, ethical and strategic challenges of public safety while leading change in your agency, community and beyond.

Master of Studies in Law – Public Safety Executive Leadership

Students will complete 30 credits of hybrid coursework. Required classes will be primarily online with one week of on-campus instruction per term. Elective courses will be fully online. Class topics include Principles of Leadership and Management, Evidence-Based Policing and Public Safety, Civil Rights, Sound Agency Management and Collaborative Communications.
A police officer with a K-9 officer speaks to children.

Public Safety Executive Leadership Certificate

Our post-bachelor’s certificate in Public Safety Executive Leadership is designed to help you advance your career at a reduced yet flexible commitment. All 18 certificate hours match Master of Studies in Law courses and can be applied directly to that program.
A police officer helps a child put on a helmet

Get Started

Connect with the law school to learn more about the policing and public safety programs and how to enroll.

Request Info
A police officer in uniform and tactical vest chats with a man holding a coffee cup inside a cafe.
The School of Law building with a brick walkway and large columns across the front.

Take Your Public Safety Career to a New Level

©