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Emergency Service Administration

Earn a bachelor’s degree that will train you to lead in crisis situations and rise through the ranks of the emergency services profession.

A firefighter and a police officer manage a crisis at a mobile command post. Members of the public and emergency vehicles behind them.

Propel your emergency services career to the next level and learn how to lead in a crisis situation.

The Emergency Service Administration (ESA) program is a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree completed in two years and fully online. ACC developed this program to meet real-world emergency management needs after consulting with experts in homeland security, emergency management, law enforcement, EMS, firefighting, public health, and criminal justice. When you graduate, you’ll have the crucial training to protect the public, provide thoughtful leadership, and keep your colleagues safe before, during, and after an emergency.

What You'll Learn about Crisis Management

Getting your BAS in Emergency Service Administration will help you:

  • Gain skills to operate in emergency service settings
  • Work in critical incidents that require multi-agency collaboration and coordination
  • Formulate solutions to ethical and legal issues in public safety agencies
  • Collect and analyze data for decision-making in the public safety environment
  • Employ an appropriate course of action for all phases of the cycle of emergencies from preparedness to recovery
  • Investigate global issues and apply best practices to local emergency situations

CIP 430302 (B1ES)

The BAS degree in Emergency Service Administration offers a comprehensive program to prepare a new generation of leaders in the field of emergency services in both governmental agencies and private sectors. Students will obtain a well-rounded learning experience and training related to proactive strategic planning for disaster prevention and reduction. The curriculum blends theoretical perspectives with professional practice necessary to enhance resiliency for communities and leverage capabilities and resources to deal with emergency situations. Students will learn how to tackle crisis requiring multi-agency collaboration and coordination activities. Additionally, the curriculum provides the foundation and skills for professionals in emergency services to advance into a leadership position and practice a proactive leadership in unpredictable and catastrophic situations to minimize risk to responders and the public.

The program will be delivered online. The BAS program (a total of 120 credit hours) offers a flexible upper level 60-credit-hour degree designed specifically for students who have earned an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management and Planning, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Paramedicine, Public Safety, Wildland Safety, or closely related degree.

Admission Requirements

  • Admission to Arapahoe Community College
  • Student must have the following to be considered for entrance into this program: must possess a relevant associate degree (60+ credits) from a regionally accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management and Planning, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Paramedicine, Public Safety, Wildland Safety, or closely related degree.

  • Pre-acceptance advising session with Program Chair at peter [dot] loebach [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (peter[dot]loebach[at]arapahoe[dot]edu) or 303.797.5792

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (30 credit hours)
  • As well as AAS Degree General Education Coursework 15 Credits
Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Requirements

If you haven’t yet finished your associate degree, you can complete it at ACC through one of the following programs that will lead you to the BAS ESA.

  • Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine
  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
  • Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement
  • Associate of General Studies
  • Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology at Red Rocks Community College
  • Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Management & Planning at Red Rocks Community College

ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.

Students enrolling in ACC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Emergency Service Administration acknowledge that completion of this degree will not guarantee employment in the field of Emergency Service Administration. Many associated agencies impose requirements other than education for employment. These requirements may be related to age, physical condition, height, weight, vision, successful completion and passing of a background check, drug screening, screening for psychological and personality traits, and more, each of which could lead to disqualification for employment. Students assume all responsibility for meeting employment requirements.

Job Opportunities in Emergency Service Administration

Program Requirements

The Emergency Service Administration BAS program requires an associate degree (60 credits) in an emergency services discipline from a regionally accredited institution. Associate degrees may be in the following disciplines:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Emergency Management & Planning
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Fire Science Technology
  • Homeland Security/Emergency Management
  • Law Enforcement
  • Paramedicine
  • Public Safety
  • Wildland Safety
  • Closely related degree (contact us to determine if your degree qualifies)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 120 (60 prior AAS + 60 BAS ESA)

You also can earn college credit for NFPA, POST, NREMT, and other industry certifications through our Prior Learning Assessment. Use this credit toward completing an associate degree in one of the above programs before applying to the ESA program.