Atlanta Campus Catalog 2011-2012 - Mercer University

1. Masters Research Thesis option (PSLD 798). The master's research thesisincludes individual study of a selected research problem in public safety leadershipunder the direction of one of the faculty members. A research thesis optionstudent must take 21 hours of core courses and 6 hours of research credit.Students may not register for the master's research thesis option credit unless 15semester hours of core courses have been completed successfully.2. Master's Research Report plus a comprehensive examination in Public SafetyLeadership option (PSLD 799). The Master's Research Report option requiresstudents to complete a written critical analysis of scholarly literature on core orspecific topics in the field of public safety leadership, as well as to take a comprehensiveexam at the end of the semester. Students choosing the Master'sResearch Report option will be required to enroll in the Master's Research Reportoption during the spring semester. Students who have completed at least 15semester hours of core courses, will be permitted to enroll in the Master'sResearch Report.Master of Science in Public Safety Leadership (ExecutiveFormat)Larry D. Stewart, Program Coordinator. Associate ProfessorRichard R. Bohannon, Lynn W. Clemons, Richard Martin, and Stephen E. Ruegger,Associate ProfessorsV. Lynn Tankersley, Assistant ProfessorThe Master of Science in Public Safety Leadership (Executive format) degree placesstrong internal emphasis on innovation, creativity, critical thinking and analyses, problemsolving, and entrepreneurship for those seeking higher education and advancement tohigher public safety leadership positions. Public safety agency leaders consistently indicatethat they desire to hire college graduates who can handle “out-of-the-box” situationsthat are frequently beyond the scope of traditional approaches to graduate educations.Potential students say that this type of education model is a “break-through” for them,because it combines much of their previous training and experience with formal educationin a realistic manner. The degree program was designed to provide transformationalchange in the individual student, change that they can take back to their agencies anduse to accomplish both personal and agency goals.Upon completion of the degree program, students are able to:1. Understand and apply the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are critical to publicsafety leadership effectiveness in today’s public safety organizations.2. Assess the various administrative, managerial, and leadership theories/perspectivesas they relate to problem solving within a wide range of organizational structures.3. Evaluate various public safety theories, applications, and approaches within thebroad social, economic, technological, and political environments of which publicorganizations operate.4. Command respect throughout the public safety field by being qualified to assumepositions at the entry, supervisory, managerial, and leadership levels of a varietyof public safety agencies within the local, state, and federal government settings.276 / MERCER UNIVERSITY