Harper College

Public Safety Dispatcher Certificate

Public Safety Dispatch professor guiding a student through the 911 dispatcher training simulation program on the Harper College campus in the Chicago suburbs.

Become a public safety dispatcher or 911 operator

Program facts Liberal Arts icon


  • Stackable to degree: No
  • Potential job outcomes: Public safety dispatcher, 911 operator

Complete this certificate program to get an introduction to public safety dispatching roles at local, state and federal levels. You’ll receive a comprehensive overview of the dispatch field, and also develop an understanding of how police and fire departments operate. 

Get hands-on experience training in Harper College’s on-site lab, which features a 9-1-1 StarZ III simulator that recreates the real-world environment of an emergency communicator. You’ll walk through realistic emergency scenarios, use communication equipment and practice working in different roles within a chain of command.

This program meets the requirements of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Public Safety Dispatcher minimum standards, the Association of Police Communications Officers (APCO) Project 25 Public Safety Dispatcher minimum standards and the National Fire Protection Association of NFPA 1061 Public Safety Dispatcher job requirements.

Certificate program requirements

This 6 credit-hour certificate program is intended to meet the needs of men and women in public safety dispatching roles at the local, state and federal levels and to prepare others to enter the public safety dispatcher career field. This certificate program meets the requirements of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Public Safety Dispatcher minimum standards, Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) Project 25 Public Safety Dispatcher minimum standards, and the National Fire Protection Association of NFPA 1061 Public Safety Dispatcher job requirements.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements (Hours required: 6)
NumberCourse TitleCredits
Required
EMG 131Public Safety Dispatcher I3
EMG 231Public Safety Dispatcher II3
Total Hours6

Related programs

Students interested in emergency and disaster management may also be interested in:

For more information about public safety dispatcher courses at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.

Last Updated: 9/30/26