Emergency Services Administration

Elevate your career in public safety with Mission College’s Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration. This program starting in the 2027 Spring Term prepares professionals to lead emergency management and public safety organizations through complex challenges. Build skills in leadership, organizational change, ethics, and policy while exploring critical topics such as community risk reduction and infrastructure protection.

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Top Benefits

Advanced Leadership and Management Training: Mission College’s Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration prepares public safety professionals with the leadership, management, and strategic decision-making skills needed to oversee complex emergency operations and organizations.
Real-World Instruction from Industry Experts: Courses are taught by experienced practitioners in the field, providing students with practical insights and applied knowledge in emergency management, policy, budgeting, and personnel administration.
Career Advancement in Public Safety: This bachelor’s degree helps professionals qualify for leadership positions such as company officer, captain, battalion chief, emergency services manager, and other supervisory roles within fire, EMS, and public safety agencies.
Focused on Modern Emergency Management: The program integrates incident command systems, public safety technologies, legal considerations, and disaster preparedness to equip graduates with the tools needed to address today’s complex public safety challenges.

Skills Gained

Strategic Decision-Making in Emergency Situations: Develop the ability to analyze complex, high-stakes scenarios and make informed decisions that protect communities and support coordinated emergency response efforts.

Leadership and Team Management: Gain the skills to lead diverse teams, manage personnel effectively, resolve conflicts, and guide organizations through change in demanding public safety environments.

Policy, Legal, and Ethical Understanding: Learn to navigate local, state, and federal public safety policies while addressing legal considerations and ethical responsibilities in emergency services administration.

Communication and Interagency Collaboration: Build strong communication skills to work with community members, public safety agencies, and multidisciplinary teams during planning, response, and recovery operations.

Admission, Requirements, Costs, and Outcomes

Degree Requirements

Admission to a community college offering the Emergency Services Administration baccalaureate program does not guarantee admission into the program itself. Students wishing to declare the ESA major must meet minimum eligibility requirements for admission.

Admission may be selective due to limited program capacity. Students admitted to the program must be able to meet the essential requirements of the courses and program curriculum.

Mission College uses a multi-criteria screening process to evaluate applicants. This process may include, but is not limited to, the following factors:

Completion of a qualifying academic degree
Grade-point average in relevant coursework
Relevant work or volunteer experience in public safety fields
Professional licensing or state/national certifications
Portfolio review for Credit for Prior Learning
Life experiences or special circumstances such as disability, low family income, first-generation college status, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, extenuating circumstances, refugee status, or veteran status
Proficiency or advanced coursework in languages other than English

In accordance with California Education Code Sections 66025.8, 66025.91, and 66025.92, priority enrollment and admissions may be granted to:

Military veterans
Foster youth
Students participating in Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)
Students eligible for Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS)
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) recipients

Program Learning Outcomes

Analyze complex situations and make informed decisions in high-stakes emergency scenarios.
Demonstrate effective leadership, team management, and conflict resolution skills.
Apply knowledge of local, state, and federal emergency policies, procedures, and best practices.
Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, particularly under high-stress conditions.
Engage communities in emergency preparedness and foster strong public relations.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and agencies in planning and response efforts.
Utilize advanced technologies and data management tools for emergency operations.

Program Prerequisites

All prerequisites must be completed no later than the summer prior to fall admission.

Completion of an accredited Associate Degree in Public Safety or a closely related field

Applicants must also hold one of the following associate degrees or an equivalent credential:

Fire Technology
Public Safety
Company Officer
Lifeguard / Aquatics Public Safety
Administration of Justice
Law Enforcement
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) / Paramedic
Other closely related Public Safety Associate Degree or Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)

Costs

Tuition & Fees
$130 per unit ($46 enrollment fee plus $84 bachelor’s fee)

$21 Mandatory Health Fee (one time fee per term for 4 terms total)

Typical 12 unit semester: $1,581 not including books, certifications, etc.

50 units of upper-division coursework: Tuition degree cost: $6,584, not including books, certifications, etc.

Nonresident Tuition
The nonresident tuition fee is $369 per unit in addition to the $130 is $499 per unit. This fee is in addition to the enrollment fee, for students who are not residents of California

When Classes are Offered

EMSA 4401 – Functions of Emergency Services Administration (add to prerequisite for EMSA 4405)

EMSA 4402 – Incident Command Systems

EMSA 4403 – Proposals/Reports in Emergency Services Management

COMM 3401 – Leadership Communication

EMSA 4404 – Trends in Public Safety

EMSA 4406 – Essentials of Emergency Management

EMSA 4408 – Policy and Public Administration

PSYC 3401 – Community Psychology: Prevention, Empowerment & Social Change

ESMA 4405 – Emergency Services Leadership (Prerequisite EMSA 4401)

SOCI 4401 – Police, Community & Problem-Oriented Strategies

EMSA 4409 – Training Program Management

EMSA 4411 – Emergency Services Budgeting

EMSA 4412 – Emergency Services: Human Resources

ESMA 4413 – Emergency Services: Legal Considerations

EMSA 4407 – Industrial Processes and Fire Protection

EMSA 4416 – Integrated Management Simulation

EMSA 4418 – Fire Protection Management

SOCI 3402 – Sociology of Victimology

The schedules reflect the planned offerings by the department. Note that occasionally, courses may not be scheduled or may be cancelled due to extenuating circumstances. If this occurs, you may reach out to the department for further information.

Upper Division:

Semester 1: (12 units)

Builds baseline knowledge of the field + communication + writing skills needed for upper-division coursework. Focus – Core concepts, communication, and introduction to emergency services systems

Semester 2: (15 units)

Expands understanding of systems, populations served, and policy environment before moving into leadership. Focus – Broader systems, policy, and social context of public safety

Semester 3: (15 units)

Centers managing people, money, training, and legal risk which are key competencies for leadership roles. Focus – Operational leadership and internal organizational functions

Semester 4: (12 units)

Ends with applied, scenario-based learning (simulation) and specialized fire/emergency management topics. Focus – Specialized topics and capstone-level application

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers About Admissions, Careers, and Coursework

What is the Emergency Services Administration degree?

This bachelor’s degree prepares students for leadership roles in fire services, emergency management, law enforcement, and public safety organizations. The program focuses on administration, leadership, policy, and real-world emergency response systems.

Who is this program designed for?

This program is ideal for:

Current or aspiring professionals in fire service, EMS, law enforcement, or emergency management
Students interested in leadership roles in public safety
Individuals looking to advance into supervisory, management, or administrative positions

What careers can I pursue with this degree?

Graduates are prepared for roles such as:

Public Safety Chief Officer or Supervisor
Emergency Management Coordinator
Public Safety Administrator
Training Officer
Government or nonprofit emergency services roles

How long does it take to complete the program?

The program is designed to be completed in 4 semesters (2 years) for full-time students.

How many units is the program?

The program consists of approximately 60 units, with a balanced schedule of 15 units each semester.

One critical thinking course and one oral communication course from Area A-1B (CalGETC) must be completed for the program.

Do I have to take a full-time load?

Yes, this program is a cohort-style program and requires you to take all the classes in the degree plan each semester.

Are there any prerequisites?

Completion of an accredited Associate Degree in Public Safety or a closely related field
Examples of closely related field:
Fire Technology
Public Safety
Administration of Justice
Law Enforcement
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Emergency Management
Other closely related Public Safety Associate Degree or Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)

What will I learn in this program?

You will develop skills in:

Emergency management and incident command systems
Leadership and organizational management
Budgeting, human resources, and legal considerations
Public policy and administration
Community engagement and public safety strategies
Real-world simulation and decision-making

Is there a capstone or final project?

Yes. Students complete an Integrated Management Simulation (EMSA 4416) in their final semester, where they apply what they’ve learned to real-world emergency scenarios.

Can I work while completing this program?

Yes. The program is designed with working professionals in mind.

Are classes offered online or in-person?

The program is completely online, asynchronous to accommodate working professionals.

Do I need prior experience in emergency services?

No prior experience is required, but it is highly beneficial. The program is structured to support both new students and working professionals.

How is this program different from a fire technology or criminal justice degree?

This degree focuses on administration and leadership across multiple emergency services sectors, rather than a single discipline. It prepares students for management-level roles rather than entry-level positions

Will this degree help me promote within my agency?

Yes. Many agencies value or require a bachelor’s degree for promotion into supervisory or administrative roles. This program is designed to build those competencies.

Are there opportunities for hands-on learning?

This is a fully online program, however, our courses include applied projects, scenario-based learning, and a capstone simulation that mirrors real-world emergency management situations.

How do I get more information and apply?

Please join our interest list. We will provide information sessions in August and September with anticipated application period in late September-October 2026 for a Spring 2027 start.