Public Safety Leadership
and Administration Program
​​We are Public Safety Officials.
We protect.
We serve.
And we defend.
Now it's our time to positively
influence change.
  • About Us
  • Why choose us?
  • What can you expect?
  • What do we offer?
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​The Public Safety Leadership and Administration Program (PLA) program is developed jointly by UMD sociology, criminology, and the UMD Francis King Carey School of Law, prepares public safety officials for careers in a rapidly changing landscape. It is designed to meet the needs of professionals in a broad array of carrers, including those related to law enforcement, corrections, public safety education, juvenile justice, social services, disaster preparedness, and more.
​We recognize that in addition to learning course content, students in the PLA program are interested in getting to know their classmates and other professionals from their field of interest. While the program is entirely online to meet the needs of busy professionals, PLA instructors recognize that students often learn best when given an opportunity to interact with each other. In general, students can expect to find opportunities for online, face-to-face meetings with instructors and other students several times a semester. Once it is safe to do so, we also intend to create opportunities for students, instructors, and leaders from various professions to meet in person.
We offer a Professional Master's degree (PLA professional Master's degree) and two graduate certificates (CJA Graduate Certificate, LDO Graduate Certificate). 
We also offer online courses.

Student Spotlight

I am enjoying the Public Image Management and Policy Solutions course because the course is empowering me with refining my knowledge in leadership along with shaping me into becoming a leader.  
                                                                                       —-- Leea Thornton

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I’ve been in the police department for 23 years, and I enjoy doing work in criminal justice. Doing this program in “Leadership and Public Safety” kind of fits that interest. 
​                                                                                         —— John Ferinde

I've enjoyed it. Again, I found the coursework interesting in that I could find ways to apply it day to day, even in teaching law.
                                                                                      —— Timothy Dixon

Have More Questions?

You can reach out to the program director Dr. Andrist by email landrist@umd.edu or phone 240-821-4841, or you can browse frequently asked questions.

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