Master of Public Safety at University of Virginia

Programme overview

An online master's for working public safety professionals seeking leadership skills, relevant to law enforcement, fire service and emergency management. Requirements must be completed within five years, with a B (3.0) or better in each course.

Faculty: School of Continuing and Professional Studies | Duration: 31-32 credits, 11 courses; about 20 months on average | Intake: January, March, June, August, October | Study mode: full-time | Location: Charlottesville, VA, United States

What you will study

Five core courses (PSPS 6000 Transformational Leadership, 6010 Constitutional Framework of Public Safety, 6030 Emergency Preparedness Systems, 6040 Community Dialogue, 6050 Stewardship of Public Assets and Human Capital), five restricted electives, optional 15-credit concentration, and a 1-credit comprehensive exam or 2-credit capstone.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typically 5+ years of public safety experience including supervisory experience; bachelor's or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or degree plus SCPS criminal justice certificate); bachelor's GPA 2.5 or higher (exceptions by petition to Program Director). Unofficial transcripts, TOEFL or IELTS if applicable, 500-750 word statement of purpose, resume, two professional reference letters. No application fee. Deadlines: July 1 (August start), November 1 (January start), April 1 (June start).

USD 20,130 for the whole programme. Estimated for 10 courses; same rate in-state and out-of-state; comprehensive exam or capstone adds $671 or $1,342; rates adjusted annually Source

Application fees (2026-27): undergraduate $75; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences $85; Architecture $80; Batten graduate $75; Darden non-PhD $250, Darden PhD $100; Data Science $85; Education and Human Development $65; Law $85; McIntire graduate $85; Medicine $80; Nursing $88; SCPS $70; Graduate Engineering no fee.

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