Earn your A.S. and continue with your bachelor's degree at SPC
Our flexible Associate in Science Degree in Public Safety gives you a foundation in public safety and an education credential if you want to move up in your career. You choose your specialty based on your interests or experience.
Please note: This degree now offers subplans in crime scene technology and digital forensics and computer investigations, which were previously offered as associate in science degrees. Other subplans of the Public Safety A.S. degree include criminal justice technology and law enforcement.
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Forensic Science Technicians
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2023 Employment
2,330
2033
2,770
Percent Change
19
Projected Job Openings
350
Digital Forensics Analysts
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2023 Employment
18,260
2033
22,000
Percent Change
21
Projected Job Openings
1620
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2023 Employment
8,620
2033
9,240
Percent Change
7
Projected Job Openings
640
Learn specific skills based on your subplan
Law enforcement and criminal justice technology subplans
- The nature and principles of the criminal justice system
- Criminal investigation procedure
- Juvenile delinquency issues
- Law enforcement administration and operations
- The fields of corrections and criminal law
- Rules of evidence
Crime Scene Technology subplan
- Search a crime scene and gather data
- Record a crime scene and related evidence
- Collect and develop evidence
- Preserve and develop fingerprints
- Map, measure and log the crime scene
- Secure a crime scene
- Present courtroom testimony
Digital Forensics and Computer Investigations subplan
- Computer research and investigative tools and techniques
- How to track hackers, pedophiles and internet stalkers
- How to conduct identity theft and internet fraud investigations
- How to combat computer software piracy and copyright infringement
- Legal aspects of computer-related crime investigations
Public Safety Associate in Science
CJPSS-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Spring 2025 (645)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Spring 2025 (645), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Summary
***THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ADMITTING STUDENTS INTO THE CROSS DISCIPLINE (CRJ) SUBPLAN OR CORRECTIONS (COR) SUBPLAN. LAST ADMISSION TERM FOR THESE SUBPLANS IS SUMMER 2023 (620).***
This program is offered as a Fully Online program. The goal of this program is to prepare the student with a diverse background in the history, philosophy, organization and operation of the various arenas of public safety and their respective processes. The flexibility of this degree is that the student is allowed to select an option/sub plan and still be able to receive a well rounded foundation of the public safety field. The Associate in Science degree program allows students to not only graduate with an AS degree, but also be able to meet the entrance requirements to continue the BAS degree in Public Safety Administration.
Graduation Requirements
A grade of “C” or better in all designated major and support courses in this program.
Academic Pathways
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:- the recommended order in which to take the program courses
- suggested course when more than one option exists
- which semester each course is typically offered
- if the course has a prerequisite
- courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Program Leadership Information
Florida CIP Code
1743010302 - Criminal Justice Technology
Federal CIP Code
43.0103 - Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.
Your public safety academy training applies to this degree
If you have completed SPC's Law Enforcement Training Academy, you can earn academic credit towards our Associate in Science Degree in Public Safety.
Please NOTE: This program does not prepare you for certification as a Correctional Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Correctional Probation Officer, Auxiliary Correctional Officer or Auxiliary Law Enforcement Officer. You must successfully complete a Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) Basic Recruit Program, such as one of SPC's training academies, to become a certified officer through FDLE.
Our certificates in Crime Scene Technology and Computer-Related Crime Investigation can be earned as part of the A.S. degree in Public Safety.
Continue your education at SPC
SPC's Public Safety A.S. Degree transfers to our bachelor's degree in Public Safety Administration.
Public Safety Specialized Training
If you're looking for training as a current public safety professional or need to meet your mandatory training requirements, SPC offers a wide range of options for Advanced and Short-Term Training for public safety professionals.
