The University of San Diego has leveraged the momentum of the industry-leading master's degree Master of Science in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership (MS-LEPSL) to offer a specialized course in leadership for public safety professionals. This self-standing course provides a cutting-edge curriculum that repurposes the core tenets of the industry-leading master's degree into a focused, impactful learning experience.
The course is delivered in a 100% online, asynchronous format designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of public safety professionals. The curriculum is organized into seven modules, requiring a total time investment of approximately 15 to 18 hours per week. While there are no specific required class meeting times, the course is structured to ensure regular engagement and steady progress through the material, with the public safety experience among the students acting as a cornerstone for practical, real-world application of the course material. This flexible yet rigorous approach allows you to balance high-level professional development with your existing personal and professional commitments.
Students who complete the LEPS-X560 course will be able to apply credits earned toward USD’s MS in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership degree program after earning a grade of "B" or better.
Number of Units: 3.0 graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours
Prerequisites:
Students must complete an application and receive approval before enrolling in this course.
Eligibility:
Interested in learning more about the course? Explore the program in depth — view your guide here!
Learn from experienced practitioner faculty who have spent their careers working in law enforcement and the military.
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Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.
Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines. (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.) These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.
How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.
This leadership course was an incredibly valuable experience that truly exceeded my expectations. Bernie was amazing throughout the entire course. He was consistently engaged in our discussions, quick to respond, and always provided thoughtful, constructive feedback that encouraged me to think deeper and consider different perspectives. The course gave me a much greater understanding of what it means to be a productive, effective, and ethical leader. It challenged me to reflect on my own leadership style, recognize areas for growth, and better understand how leadership decisions impact both employees and the people we serve. Without a doubt, this course has strengthened my leadership skills and given me knowledge and tools that I can apply in both my professional and personal life. I walked away with a new perspective, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the responsibility that comes with leadership. I would highly recommend this course, and I am especially grateful for Bernie’s dedication to making it such a meaningful learning experience
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the LEPS-X560 Effective Leadership in Modern Public Safety course. I appreciated the opportunity to explore different leadership theories, learn from real-world examples, and hear perspectives from the instructor, classmates, and guest speakers with diverse professional backgrounds. The course encouraged meaningful self-reflection and challenged me to consider how I can continue developing my leadership skills and apply what I have learned in my own professional setting. I hope there will be more opportunities like this in the future for law enforcement, first responders, and other public safety professionals. Creating spaces to exchange experiences, gain insight from different perspectives, and strengthen our leadership abilities is incredibly important. Thank you to the University of San Diego for offering this opportunity and supporting the continued professional growth of those dedicated to serving our communities and one another.
My overall experience was better than I could have imagined. The course material was relevant and directly correlated to the issues we face in modern day policing.
This was my first ever online class, so I was worried about how it would keep my attention. Knowing the format ahead of time eased it but knowing what I now know, I would feel very comfortable taking more classes.
I appreciated that the video content featured law enforcement professionals who are currently serving or have recently served in the field. Law enforcement is rapidly evolving, and hearing firsthand insights and experiences from front-line leaders was extremely valuable. I also found the articles accompanying each module to be exceptionally informative and in-depth. Several of them were so relevant and well-written that I have already shared them with members of my shift and command staff for further reading. Overall, this was a fantastic course that provided practical, current, and actionable information. I would highly recommend it to anyone in the law enforcement profession.