MSEM - Distance Learning Program Curriculum

The curriculum consists of twenty-four credit hours of required courses and an additional six credit hours of electives. The degree program, therefore, requires students to complete a total of thirty credit hours.
Each course will incorporate knowledge and skills from or relevant to: academic research, best practices, human behavior, key organizations, as well as legal issues, policies, rules and regulations.
The program is developed primarily for graduate students who are already in an emergency management related career.

Required Courses (24 credits)

EM 601 (3): Principles & Practices of Emergency Management

History and perspectives of the field, hazards concepts and taxonomies, all-hazards approach, phases of emergency management, risk assessment, risk communication, emergency management functions, sustainable development, best practices, the EOC, the disaster plan, CEM, IAEM, forging intra- and inter-government relationships.
Prereq: Program admission.

EM 603 (3): Technical & Professional Writing for Emergency Management Personnel

The emergency management professional is engaged in an ever increasing workload involving reporting, budget preparation, grant applications, and communicating with the public. This course is designed to enhance the necessary skills for the emergency manager to successfully negotiate the increased demands of the profession.
Prereq: Program admission.

EM 605 (3): Social Dimensions of Disaster

An overview of the findings of disaster sociology, including, but not limited to, an examination of the social science definition of disaster, the disaster mythology, the impact of the media, organizational challenges during disaster, creating and maintaining a disaster resilient community, national and international disaster researchers and the research literature.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 607 (3): Emergency Mental Health & Trauma

This in-depth course provides the emergency responder with a greater appreciation of the challenges, responses, and adjustments encountered by those exposed to disastrous events.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 614 (3): Natural Hazards Primer

Natural Science examination of natural or environmental hazards and their associated risks, the overview will possibly include hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 615 (3): Emergency Preparedness for Industry

An examination of industrial and societal risks associat ed with the manufacture, handling, storing, and transporting of biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological materials.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 653 (3): Theoretical Perspectives & Methods Applied to Emergency Management

Theoretical perspectives drawn from sociology are applied to emergency management. The EM professional will develop insight into the common responses to planning, responding, recovery and mitigation. Such knowledge should prepare the EM professional to function as an effective leader through the four phases of disaster. The course also enables the EM professional to understand, critique, and use the basic research methods and assessment tools common in the discipline. The goal is to enable the practitioner to digest such information, determine what kinds of information may be ne ed ed to facilitate his or her work, as well as to contribute to the basic design and interpretation of appropriate methodology and analysis.
Prereq: Advanced Degree Candidate status or permission of the MSEM director.

EM 693 (3): Field Experience Practicum

A capstone experience in which emergency management knowledge and skills are applied and integrated within a field experience. Those already working within an emergency management related career will use their current position as the basis for completing a project applicable to enhancing their current skills and applying best practices.
Prereq: Advanc ed Degree Candidate status or permission of the MSEM director.

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EM 616 (3): Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction & Homeland Security

A sociological exploration of what terrorism is, why is occurs, prudent approaches to r ed ucing the incidence of terrorism, and fail ed approaches; the origins and functions of homeland security, the necessity of maintaining an all-hazards approach and issues surrounding the placement of FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security. WMD history, an overview of the basic known biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear materials likely to be us ed as weapons; approaches to inoculation and treatment before and after exposure.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 617 (3): Emergency Management Issues in Communication & Mass Media

How the media is an integral part of an effective disaster plan, how the m ed ia is problematic during disaster response, the value of a train ed public information officer within organizations, key issues in risk communication and best practices.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 618 (3): Humanitarian Responses to International Disasters

International organizations, challenges and experiences they commonly encounter in mitigating and responding to disaster events; considers if a global economy, global village will help or hinder future efforts.
Prereq: EM 601 or permission of the instructor and MSEM director.

EM 629-632 (3): Special Topics Course

In-depth investigation and development of one or more topics of current interest not address ed in current curriculum. Topics will vary according to the ne ed s of students and the faculty involv ed.
Rereq: Dependent upon course offering. Permission of instructor and MSEM director.

EMGT 691 (1-3): Independent Study

Intensive study of a particular emergency management area, topic or event.
Prereq: Dependent upon course offering. Permission of instructor and MSEM director.

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