Emergency Management Masters Program

Degree: M.S.

The fully online graduate-level Emergency Management program at Millersville University releases leaders into the workforce who are prepared to plan and coordinate emergency management efforts.

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Emergency Management Programs

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Why Study This Program?

Millersville University is building a workforce of leaders in preparedness and disaster management through the Emergency Management program. With coursework offered completely online, this graduate-level program is designed to educate individuals to plan and coordinate emergency management efforts. Graduates are prepared to serve in a variety of positions in the emergency management field, both in the public and private sectors.

The Emergency Management program is unique as MU instructors offer real world experience from their respective fields of study. Emergency management experts and disaster studies researchers come together to provide a comprehensive program through the interdisciplinary Center for Disaster Research and Education. This graduate program is dynamic, and the courses are continually redeveloped and new courses are added to meet the growing needs of the field.

Millersville University topped the 2017 national rankings of Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management Programs selected by BestColleges.com. The University also ranked sixth in the 2017 national rankings of Most Affordable Online Master’s in Emergency Management Programs selected by AffordableColleges.com.

Graduates of this program receive a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Emergency Management.

“A degree in Emergency Management is absolutely worth the investment of time and money. I’m very proud of my achievement and the knowledge and experience I gained in the Master of Science in Emergency Management (MSEM) program serves me well in my career. One of my biggest reservations going into the program was what to do if I had to deal with a major disaster at work while I was taking MSEM courses. I did have two major disasters in my area while I was an MSEM student, and the Millersville University faculty worked with me to help me stay on track and take extensions when I had to do so. My advice is that if you work in an emergency management position while you take classes, make sure you choose a program in which the faculty will work with you in this capacity.”

- Alyssa Pollock

What Will You Learn?

The Emergency Management curriculum features courses and electives that are designed to enhance student skills in planning, mitigating and responding to disastrous events. The 30-credit program can be completed in two calendar years, but it is also flexible for those who need more or less time to complete the requirements. The online courses include faculty and student interaction, discussions, group work and individual projects. Courses are offered year round, with flexibility for the student’s busy life.

Required coursework explores the principles of emergency management, professional writing, social dimensions of disaster, mental health and trauma, natural hazards and emergency preparedness. Additional elective courses consider disaster response, terrorism and homeland security, crisis communication, Geographic Information System (GIS) applications, emergency management systems and theoretical perspectives.

The culminating requirement of the program is a practicum course, in which students use what they have learned throughout the program to improve existing emergency response polices, plans and practices in an emergency response organization. Using these skills to upgrade the organization’s procedures to reflect best practices and research, the student's practicum may take place at a current job site, volunteer position or at a field location. The student also has the option to develop and defend a thesis, allowing for both a hands-on or research-based project to complete the program.