Emergency Management
This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.
Program Description
The master's program--comprehensive study option--can be taken remote "live" or in person, on campus. Remote "live" means that students have the option of completing all of their coursework at the same time and day as our on campus students via Zoom. The master's program--thesis option--and doctoral degree programs in emergency management at NDSU are only available on campus. Potential students are encouraged to visit the campus and meet faculty and current graduate students.
The mission of NDSU's Emergency Management Program is to create a cadre of graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management who can advance the field and discipline of emergency management. The program is built on a core of emergency management and methods/theory courses to help students approach the study of disasters and emergency management from the emergency management disciplinary perspective. Additionally, the program draws from other disciplines that enhance the development of processes and techniques to deal with emergencies and disasters.
Master of Science Degree
The comprehensive and challenging Master's degree program in Emergency Management is intended to explore the academic research literature related to emergency management as well as provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge through research and/or practicum. The program is built on a core of emergency management courses to help students learn how human beings create, interact, and cope with hazards, vulnerability, and associated events. The program emphasizes the study of how human beings cope with hazard events through activities related to preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
The Department of Emergency Management offers two tracks in its master's degree program. The first option - the thesis track - is a research-focused degree track that entails a combination of emergency management course work and research methods. This option is ideal for graduate students who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in Emergency Management or a related discipline and for those students who want to complete a traditional master's degree. The second option - the comprehensive study option - is a more practice-based track with course work in emergency management and a significant practicum requirement. This second option may be completed on campus or at a distance. The distance format involves taking coursework at the same time and day as our on campus students but from wherever the student lives.
Doctoral Degree
North Dakota State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Emergency Management designed to prepare graduates for careers teaching future generations of emergency management students in higher education programs, conducting research that describes and explains patterns, processes, change, and effectiveness/efficiency related to emergency management, and/or policy development and analysis related to emergency management.
The degree program is built on a core of emergency management courses to help students learn how human beings create, interact, and cope with hazards, vulnerability, and associated events. The program emphasizes the study of how human beings cope with hazard events through activities related to preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
This comprehensive and challenging program is committed both to extensive research and its practical application in the areas of emergency management. Throughout their graduate career, students will have the opportunity to conduct research and work in the field.
The Ph.D. is awarded in recognition of significant depth of understanding and scholarly achievement in emergency management. The recipient must complete all of the required course work, pass two written comprehensive exams (i.e., one on emergency management theory and one on the two functional areas in which the student has specialized), complete a novel and significant research project for the dissertation; and successfully defend this research in an oral examination. The student's progress will be reviewed by a supervisory committee that is responsible for reviewing the student's plan of study, written comprehensive examinations, dissertation proposal, and dissertation defense.
The Department of Emergency Management at NDSU welcomes applicants of any and all backgrounds to its master's degree program--comprehensive study option. This option may be completed on campus or at a distance, remote "live". Remote "live" means you can complete your coursework at the same day and time as our on campus students but from wherever you live!
The Department of Emergency Management at NDSU is more selective in choosing graduate applicants for entry into the master’s program--thesis option--and the doctoral program. Admission is competitive reflecting the department's commitment to small, high quality, student cohorts that match the mentoring capacity of the faculty.
Applicants will be evaluated in a two-stage process. In the first stage, the applicant’s Graduate School application, letters of reference, GRE scores (if applicable), and academic writing paper samples will be reviewed by the Department of Emergency Management faculty. Applicants demonstrating goodness-of-fit with the Department of Emergency Management’s mission and goals and an aptitude for graduate study will be invited to complete the second stage of the admissions process.
Admissions Process
The two-stage admissions process for graduate studies in the Department of Emergency Management is as follows:
STAGE ONE
- Applicants must first complete the Graduate School's online application form and submit the required materials.
- Applicants must submit transcripts from the higher education institutions they have attended to the Graduate School.
- Applicants must submit three letters of reference through the Online Application tool. Academic references are preferred.
- All applicants who have not completed a master's degree in the United States must submit GRE scores. If an applicant has completed a master's degree in the United States, then GRE scores are not required but still strongly recommended. It is helpful to have as much data as possible about applicants and their aptitude for graduate work in our program. In no case are specific GRE discipline tests required. At this time, however, no specific score totals are used as a cutoff. Applications are evaluated holistically using all indicators of student aptitude for successful completion of graduate study in this program. Applicants must submit GRE scores by requesting that ETS-GRE send the NDSU Graduate School their score. NOTE: While GRE testing centers remain closed due to COVID-19, the Department has suspended the GRE requirement. The requirement will automatically resume once testing centers reopen.
- Applicants must submit electronic copies of two writing samples through the Online Application tool. The samples may be a publication, material from prior course work, or specifically written for this application. The samples do not have to focus on emergency management or disasters. The samples must be written in English. Writing samples are used to gain information on the applicant's writing style and ability to write research-based papers. Samples submitted in support of an application would ideally be eight or more pages in length. In addition, to meet the objective of the admission criteria, the paper must employ formal citations. Writing samples will most typically be library-based research papers but papers based on original data gathering are also encouraged. The latter might be more likely to come from an applicant with a master's degree.
STAGE TWO
- Applicants invited to participate in the second stage of the admissions process will take part in a conference call interview with two or more of the program faculty. Applicant interviews are designed to provide two-way communication between the faculty and prospective applicant. Faculty will ask questions but will also want the applicant to pose questions about the program and departmental educational objectives. The interview should assist the applicant and faculty to further assess the goodness-of-fit between the program and the applicant.
Financial Assistance
Both teaching and research assistantships are available, contingent on departmental and faculty research funds. All students are automatically considered for graduate assistantships, unless they request otherwise, so no separate application process is required for such consideration. Awards are based on past academic and professional performance. The review process is highly competitive.
Emergency Management Master's Thesis Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| SOC 700 | Qualitative Methods | 3 |
| or COMM 704 | Qualitative Research Methods in Communication | |
| SOC 701 | Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| or COMM 707 | Quantitative Research Methods in Communication | |
| EMGT 720 | Theory, Research and Practice | 3 |
| Disaster Phases | ||
| EMGT 761 | Preparedness Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 762 | Mitigation Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 763 | Response Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 764 | Recovery Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 of the following: | 9 | |
| Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning | ||
| Spatial Analysis in Emergency Management | ||
| Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessments | ||
| International Emergency Management | ||
| Vulnerability and Functional Needs in Emergency Management | ||
| Business Continuity & Crisis Management | ||
| Voluntary Agency Disaster Services | ||
| Disaster and Culture | ||
| Disaster Analysis | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Practicum | ||
| EMGT 795 | Field Experience | 3 |
| Thesis | ||
| EMGT 798 | Master's Thesis (minimum 6 - maximum 10 credits, only 6 count toward degree) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Emergency Management Master's Comprehensive Study Track
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| EMGT 720 | Theory, Research and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 761 | Preparedness Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 762 | Mitigation Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 763 | Response Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 764 | Recovery Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Group A: Emergency Management Elective Courses | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning | ||
| Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessments | ||
| International Emergency Management | ||
| Issues in Homeland Security and Emergency Management | ||
| Vulnerability and Functional Needs in Emergency Management | ||
| Business Continuity & Crisis Management | ||
| Voluntary Agency Disaster Services | ||
| Disaster and Culture | ||
| Disaster Analysis | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Group B: Critical Thinking and Analysis Elective Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Spatial Analysis in Emergency Management | ||
| Qualitative Methods 1 | ||
| Quantitative Methods 1,2 | ||
| Applied Statistics | ||
| Advanced Research Methods | ||
| Practicum | ||
| EMGT 795 | Field Experience | 6 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| 1 | Students must have completed an undergraduate research methods course prior to enrolling in Quantitative and Qualitative Methods. |
| 2 | Students must complete a statistics course as a prerequisite for Quantitative Methods. |
| * | Those students lacking in field experience will be expected to complete an applied, field-based emergency management practicum; however, students with ample field experience in emergency management will be expected to complete a research practicum to fulfill the practicum credits. The research practicum can be fulfilled by participating in a member of the faculty's research or by the student conducting his/her own research under the supervision of a faculty member. The student and his /her adviser will determine the type of practicum a student ought to take. |
Doctorate in Emergency Management
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| Theory and Methods | ||
| SOC 700 | Qualitative Methods 1 | 3 |
| SOC 701 | Quantitative Methods 1,2 | 3 |
| EMGT 720 | Theory, Research and Practice | 3 |
| STAT 725 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Emergency Management Functional Areas | ||
| EMGT 761 | Preparedness Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 762 | Mitigation Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 763 | Response Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EMGT 764 | Recovery Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Functional Area Specialization (complete two courses) | ||
| Preparedness Theory II | ||
| Mitigation Theory II | ||
| Response Theory II | ||
| Recovery Theory II | ||
| Electives | ||
| Group A: Emergency Management Elective Courses (complete six courses) | 18 | |
| Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning | ||
| Spatial Analysis in Emergency Management | ||
| Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessments | ||
| International Emergency Management | ||
| Issues in Homeland Security and Emergency Management | ||
| Vulnerability and Functional Needs in Emergency Management | ||
| Business Continuity & Crisis Management | ||
| Voluntary Agency Disaster Services | ||
| Disaster Analysis | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Group B: Other Elective Course (complete six courses) 3 | 18 | |
| Practicum | ||
| EMGT 794 | Practicum/Internship 4 | 6 |
| EMGT 895 | Field Experience | 9 |
| Dissertation | ||
| Dissertation | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 90 | |
| 1 | Students must have taken an undergraduate or graduate research methods course prior to enrolling in both Quantitative and Qualitative Methods. |
| 2 | Students must have taken a statistics course prior to enrolling in Quantitative Methods. |
| 3 | Courses in this section of electives are for transfer credits, prior thesis, comprehensive study, or technical papers completed as part of a master’s degree program or additional electives of the students choice such as didactic courses, seminars, independent study, and/or field research. Students may also take an additional 6 credits from Emergency Management Electives above |
| 4 | All doctoral students must take a minimum of 3 credits of research practicum. The research practicum can be fulfilled by participating in a member of the faculty’s research or by the student conducting his/her own research under the supervision of a faculty member. For every 3 credits of research practicum a student takes the student must submit a manuscript to a scholarly, peer-reviewed emergency management journal by the time they defend their dissertation. Students also must take 3-6 credits of an applied, field-based emergency management practicum; however, students with ample field experience in emergency management may complete additional research practicum credits to fulfill the 9 required practicum credits. The student and his/her advisor will determine how the credits will be fulfilled in this category. |
Sarah Bundy, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2013
Research Interests: Comprehensive Emergency Management, Planning, and Development of Emergency Management as an Academic Discipline
Carol Cwiak, J.D., Ph.D.
Western State University, 1995
North Dakota State University, 2009
Research Interests: Preparedness and Mitigation, Business Continuity, Law and Emergency Management
Caroline Hackerott, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 2016
Research Interests: Nonprofit Engagement in Disasters, Teaching and Learning in Emergency Management
Jessica Jensen, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2010
Research Interests: Disaster and Emergency Management Theory, Organization of Society to Address Hazards and Hazard Events (e.g., positions, incident management systems), Development of Emergency Management Higher Education
Daniel J. Klenow, Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame, 1977
Research Interests: Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, Teaching Homeland Security, Emergency Management Theory and Methodology