Eastern Adds Emergency Services, Public Safety Certificate

WILLIMANTIC, CT — Eastern Connecticut State University will offer a new undergraduate certificate program in emergency services and public safety beginning in the fall 2026 semester.

The announcement was made Monday.

The 12-credit program is designed to prepare students for work in public safety, emergency services and related professions, according to the university.

Eastern said students in the program will explore professional pathways in emergency services, law enforcement, corrections, forensic services, emergency communications and related fields. The program also focuses on durable skills including communication, leadership, collaboration and resiliency.

According to the university, the certificate includes employer presentations, site visits, career-focused coursework and a yearlong internship. Those pieces are intended to give students hands-on experience and professional networking opportunities while they are still in school.

The certificate is part of Eastern's larger Career Pathways Program in emergency services and public safety, or ESPS. According to the university, that broader program was developed in response to growing workforce needs in the field.

John Fournier, coordinator of the Career Pathways Program, said the university heard directly from employers about hiring challenges.

"Employers that we spoke with were struggling to connect with quality candidates for job openings," he said.

Fournier also said Eastern saw a gap in when students were beginning career development work.

"At the same time, we saw students waiting until their final semester or two to begin career development. By bringing employers and students together earlier, we can help students build future-oriented skills while helping employers identify strong candidates," he said.