Department website: https://www.atu.edu/emhs

Interest in emergency management and its importance from the global perspective continues to increase following ever present events related to natural and technological hazards, terrorism, and other homeland security issues. In this program, students explore emergency planning and preparedness, cultural considerations and natural human behavior, appropriate responses, political and legal applications within the field, and ethical foundations for emergency management professionals. The degree is available both on campus and through distance education, which received approval as an online degree program through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The program employs the comprehensive emergency management approach (four phases and all hazards) required for various careers in the private sector, non-profit, and government agencies ranging from the local to federal levels.  Some of these applications include business continuity, cyber security, risk assessment, preparedness, and planning.

The curriculum requires all students to complete 57 hours of EAM courses which include 12 hours of credit for practical application experiences in which students are able to turn their classroom training into practical application. The program is designed to build a solid foundation in emergency management concepts, competencies, and demonstrated applications. Additionally, students are required to complete courses related to written and oral communications as well as a Technology Course¹.

¹

Students admitted to the Accelerated Bachelor's Plus EMHS Master's Degree Program can take up to 9 credit hours at the 5000-level and 6000-level that can count towards elective hours.

The program is approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Education (CAEMHSE). 

¹

See appropriate alternatives or substitutions "General Education Requirements."

²

15 hours of EAM electives from the following: EAM 1003 Living in a Hazardous Environment, EAM 2033 Citizen/Family/Community Disaster Preparedness Education, EAM 2413 UAVs in Emergency Management, EAM 2881 Special Topics, EAM 2882 Special Topics, or EAM 2883 Special Topics, EAM 2991 Special Problems, EAM 2992 Special Problems, or EAM 2993 Special Problems, EAM 3033 The Social Dimension of Disaster, EAM 3073 Safety Standards for Emergency Managers, EAM 3123 Public Information Skills for Emergency Managers, EAM 3143 The Economics of Disaster, EAM 3243 Terrorism and Counterterrorism, EAM 3903 Public Health Emergency Management, EAM 4043 Disaster and Emergency Management Ethics, EAM 4053 Community Management of Hazardous Materials, EAM 4063 Leadership, EAM 4083 Legal Issues in Emergency Management, EAM 4093 Grants, EAM 4103 Critical Infrastructure, EAM 4881 Advanced Special Topics, EAM 4882 Advanced Special Topics, or EAM 4883 Advanced Special Topics, EAM 4951 Undergraduate Research in Emergency Administration and Management, EAM 4952 Undergraduate Research in Emergency Administration and Management, EAM 4953 Undergraduate Research in Emergency Administration and Management, or EAM 4954 Undergraduate Research in Emergency Administration and Management, EAM 4991 Special Problems, EAM 4992 Special Problems, or EAM 4993 Special Problems.

³

Three (3) hour Technology Course requirement from the following:  BUAD 2003 Business Information Systems; any course with the course subjects COMS, CSEC, BST, or CIS; or GEOG 2833 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems/FW 2833 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

⁴

Must earn a grade of "C" or better.

⁵

Students admitted to the Accelerated Bachelor's Plus EMHS Master's Degree Program may take: 

• EMHS 5003 Principles of Mitigation and Recovery instead of EAM 4003 Principles of Mitigation and Recovery.
• 9 credit hours in EMHS at the 5000-level that can count towards elective hours.

Students who complete the program:

• will be able to effectively apply emergency management principles, critical thinking skills, and ethical considerations while continually expanding their knowledge in alignment with the established body of knowledge
• will possess a comprehensive skill set encompassing scientific literacy, geographic literacy, sociocultural literacy, technological literacy, and systems literacy, enabling them to effectively and adaptively address complex emergency situations.
• will have developed strong relationship-building skills and competencies in disaster risk management, community engagement, governance and civics, and leadership, enabling them to foster effective partnerships, lead diverse teams, and enhance community resilience in emergency situations.