Harper College will be closed Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1 for Winter Break.

Harper College
Find Your Academic Area of Interest

Public Service

Are you determined to make the world a better place? Harper College's public service programs help you develop the skills and connections you need to turn your career vision into reality by emphasizing critical thinking, communication skills and practical experience.

Careers in the public service field are satisfying and in-demand. At Harper, you'll get training to on real-life situations and use of equipment and tools that are essential in the field, and obtain the skills necessary to make a positive impact in an ever-changing world.

Planning for your future begins here.
It only takes 20 seconds to get started!
Planning for your future begins here.
It only takes 20 seconds to get started!

Harper's virtual labs offer realistic training situations that prepare you for a career in public service. Learn to use equipment, follow procedures and develop immediate-response skills needed to do the job through simulations and hands-on demonstrations. Harper has a complete fire science, crime scene investigation, and forensic learning lab and a working 9-1-1 dispatcher center to provide you with focused training.

Explore our public service programs

Harper College offers a number of public service career and transfer programs. To get started, select one of the program areas below:

Interested in another subject? If you are interested in transferring to study a public service-related subject not listed here, please meet with an academic advisor to learn what courses to take to meet your academic goals.

Harper's on-site laboratory spaces give you the chance to get hands-on experience working through realistic scenarios and using professional equipment.

A student works in the on-site lab to practice skills as an emergency services dispatcher.


Earn your bachelor's degree in Public Safety Management or Law Enforcement at Harper through the University Center.


Learn more through the Public Service brochure. To get started with criminal justice, fire science, EMT, public safety, or other public service courses offered at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700.

While there are hundreds of potential career opportunities in the law enforcement, justice administration and forensics fields — all are essential in keeping local communities and the country safe.

Last Updated: 12/5/24