Eastern Connecticut State University

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Eastern offers emergency services & public safety certificate for fall 2026

by Michael Rouleau

Willimantic, CT (07/06/2026) — Eastern Connecticut State University will offer a new undergraduate certificate program this fall 2026 semester in emergency services & public safety. The 12-credit program prepares students for work in public safety, emergency services, and related professions.

Students in the program will explore professional pathways in emergency services, law enforcement, corrections, forensic services, emergency communications, and related fields while developing durable skills such as communication, leadership, collaboration, and resiliency.

The program includes employer presentations, site visits, career-focused coursework, and a yearlong internship designed to provide students with hands-on experience and professional networking opportunities.

The certificate is part of Eastern's larger Career Pathways Program in emergency services and public safety (ESPS), which was developed in response to growing workforce needs in the field.

"Employers that we spoke with were struggling to connect with quality candidates for job openings," said John Fournier, coordinator of the Career Pathways Program. "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."

  • Website: www.easternct.edu/sociology/programs-of-study/undergraduate-certificate-emergency-services-and-public-safety-careers.html
  • Apply: apply.easternct.edu/register/certificate
  • Contact: John Fournier (fournierj@easternct.edu) or William Lugo (lugow@easternct.edu)

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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