Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science

Undergraduate Programs of Study

• Emergency Management (major, minor)

Graduate Programs of Study

• Emergency Management

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
• Master of Science Degree (M.S.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MAJOR

The major is available both live, in person and remote, live. This means you can complete major coursework in our classrooms on campus or from wherever you live at the same time and day as our in person students.

The major prepares students for success as practitioners in emergency management as well as related fields. The rigor of the major also prepares students for graduate work.  The major is ideally-suited for students seeking emergency management as a career of first choice.  Student career success is built upon the following five program attributes: 

1. Provide a broad educational foundation that supports graduates’ entry into different settings where emergency management is practiced (e.g., government at all levels; businesses; schools and colleges; healthcare industry; non-profit organizations; humanitarian efforts; etc.);
2. Support evidence-based practice by exposing students to the rich research and science available;
3. Promote and foster experiential opportunities through focused class activities and required internships;
4. Develop skills necessary to the effective practice of emergency management (e.g., communication; collaboration; teamwork; leadership; critical thinking; problem-solving, etc.); and,
5. Support student professional development through faculty mentoring focused on familiarizing students with the roles of and opportunities to pursue training and experience and cultivate professional networks prior to graduation.

Numerous career opportunities are available to those graduating with an emergency management major. Positions are available at all levels of government including city, county, state, and federal. A wide variety of local, national, and international voluntary organizations routinely hire people educated in emergency management, and there is increasing emphasis on hiring individuals educated in emergency management in the private, business sector.

Recent program graduates found employment as a regional emergency planner, homeland security planner, business continuity specialist, hospital emergency manager, emergency manager with the National Guard, public health emergency preparedness coordinator, and disaster insurance adjuster, to name a few examples.

Of note, just as with any degree program in higher education, an emergency management student does not graduate and necessarily go on to be an emergency manager. Graduates consistently find employment in the military, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire departments as well. And, many graduates from our degree program go on to work in fields unrelated to emergency management. Our alumni report that the skills and knowledge acquired through our undergraduate degree program in emergency management are highly marketable to other professions and fields.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MINOR

All emergency management minor options are available both live, in person and remote, live. This means you can complete major coursework in our classrooms on campus or from wherever you live at the same time and day as our in person students.

The Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science offers an emergency management minor with four minor sub-plan options. Each sub-plan option is designed to complement a set of student interests and majors. Options include:

• Vulnerability and Capacity Building
• Risk and Resilience Management
• Homeland Security
• Comprehensive Emergency Management