Major in Emergency Management

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in emergency management.

The emergency management major develops the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for leadership in emergency management, with a focus on disaster prevention, planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. The curriculum covers needs and issues, operations management, planning and response, and terrorism and is designed to provide students with a global outlook, interpersonal skills, and emergency management knowledge and skills. Students are prepared for management positions in emergency management in government and industry or for graduate study in emergency management, homeland security, or management and leadership. Coursework may also fill requirements related to the National Fire Protection Association Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs (1600), qualification as a Certified Emergency Manager, and other professional association certifications.

Articulation Agreement

An articulation agreement between UMUC's Undergraduate School and Graduate School allows eligible students who complete their undergraduate degree at UMUC with a major in emergency management to reduce their total coursework for the graduate degree by 12 credits and complete both degrees with a total of 144 credits of coursework. More information is available in the Articulation Agreement.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in emergency management will be able to

• Facilitate and support leadership and vision in emergency management to administer successful programs, including intergovernmental, interagency, and interdisciplinary outreach.
• Utilize informed decision making, calmness under stress, goal orientation, teamwork, ethical behavior, professional development, the integration of assets and resources, enhanced technology, and communication to ensure effective administration of emergency management related programs.
• Use clear and effective oral and written communication strategies in concert with strong interpersonal, technology, and social media skills to facilitate building collaborative partnerships in emergency management.
• Identify risks and design responses, plans, training, and exercises that coordinate public and private resources to effectively encourage disaster prevention, improve emergency response, enhance recovery, and effectively mitigate disasters.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in emergency management requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Emergency Management Major

Coursework for a major in emergency management includes the following:

• Required core courses (15 credits): EMGT 302, 304, 306, 312, and 486A
• Supplemental major course in needs and issues (3 credits): Chosen from EMGT 308, CSIA 457 and 459, and IFSM 432 or 433
• Supplemental major course in operations management (3 credits): EMGT 310, BMGT 466, or ENMT 310
• Supplemental major course in planning and response (3 credits): EMGT 404 or HMLS 302
• Supplemental major course in terrorism (3 credits): EMGT 314, GVPT 406, or GVPT 407
• Required capstone course (3 credits): HMLS 495
• Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: IFSM 300 or ACCT 326

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in emergency management. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Emergency Management Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

• GVPT 170 American Government (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course
• Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
  and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
  or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
  or other communications/writing course
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
• PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
  or a foreign language course or other arts and humanities course

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

• PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
  or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• EMGT 302 Concepts of Emergency Management (3)
• WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
  or other communication, writing, or speech course
• IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
  or ACCT 326 Accounting Information Systems (related requirement for the major; also fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement; students should note prerequisites)
• EMGT 304 Emergency Response Preparedness and Planning (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

• WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
  or other communications/upper-level advanced writing course
• EMGT 306 Political and Policy Issues in Emergency Management (3)
• EMGT 312 Social Dimensions of Disaster (3)
• EMGT 486A Internship in Emergency Management Through Co-op (3)
• EMGT 308 Exercise and Evaluation Programs (3)
  or other supplemental major course in needs and issues
• EMGT 310 Continuity of Operations Planning and Implementation (3)
  or other supplemental major course in operations management
• EMGT 404 Planning and Response for Catastrophic Disasters (3)
  or other supplemental major course in planning and response
• EMGT 314 Terrorism Issues in Emergency Management (3)
  or other supplemental major course in terrorism

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken after all other courses for the major)

• HMLS 495 Public Safety Policies and Leadership (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (46)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Electives

• STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics
  (students should note prerequisite)
• HMLS 302 Introduction to Homeland Security
  (may meet requirements for certain graduate degree programs at UMUC)

Total credits for BS in emergency management: 120

• Emergency Management Degree Planning Worksheet