Prescott, Arizona (Sep. 24, 2025) – Yavapai College is announcing that it will offer a new Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Administration beginning in the fall semester of 2026, pending accreditation approval from the Higher Learning Commission.
The new, 92-credit degree program is designed to be completed in three years and is available fully online with accelerated, eight-week courses per semester. The tuition cost for a student to complete the optimized degree is $15,622.
“Yavapai College has set a standard of implementing initiatives, executing strategies, and breaking down barriers that our students and communities are faced with so that we can provide them with the most accessible, affordable educational opportunities possible,” said Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College. “This new opportunity to create more affordable bachelor’s degrees while reducing the time to completion will be a game-changer for students. It will allow them to get educated, get their degree, walk across the graduation stage, and impact the workforce a full year sooner than before.”
The Public Safety Administration program prepares students with leadership, policy, and management skills for public safety careers. It focuses on current issues, technology use, data-driven decision-making, and emergency operations. Students gain expertise in community engagement, crisis communication, interagency coordination, and legal frameworks.
The curriculum covers incident investigation, after-action reporting, and grant writing. The program culminates in a capstone internship that integrates leadership, critical analysis, and practical skills in fire services, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.
Graduates of this program are well-prepared for senior leadership positions such as Battalion Chief, EMS Chief, Police Commander, Legal Paraprofessional, and other administrative roles in public safety organizations. Salary ranges vary by position and region, but national averages for these roles typically fall between $79,000 and $115,000 annually (Lightcast Data – Yavapai County). These figures highlight the competitive compensation available to professionals advancing into leadership ranks in fire services, law enforcement, EMS, and legal fields.
Yavapai College has been a pioneer among community colleges in Arizona when it comes to baccalaureate degree programs. YC became the first rural community college in Arizona to offer a baccalaureate degree when it launched its Bachelor of Science in Business program in Fall 2023. Since then, YC has added two Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing and Computer Science, and a three-year Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Degree, and plans for future baccalaureate degrees.
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.