Program Overview

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Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Biosecurity and Threat Management), MA

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security with a concentration in Biosecurity and Threat Management is designed to assist professional development aimed at meeting current and emerging challenges in biosecurity and threat management. This program is ranked No. 2 for best graduate homeland security and emergency management program by U.S. News & World Report, 2024.

At a Glance

• College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
• Location: Online
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.

Degree Requirements

• 33 credit hours including the required applied project course (PAF 593)
• Required Core (18 credit hours)
  • CRJ 511 Applied Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
  • CRJ 554 Homeland Security (3)
  • PAF 551 Hazards Governance (3)
  • PAF 552 Integrated Emergency Management (3)
  • PAF 558 Program Evaluation for Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3)
  • PAF 559 GIS for Hazards Analysis (3)
• Concentration (6 credit hours)
  • PAF 564 Health Aspects of Crises, Emergencies, Disasters (3)
  • PAF 575 US Biodefense Policy and Management (3)
  • PAF 581 Bioterrorism and Health Intelligence (3)
• Elective or Research (6 credit hours)
• Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
  • PAF 593 Applied Project (3)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program
• Required to submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A written statement
  • Evidence of current employment
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

Tuition information can be found on the university's website.

Attend Online

This program is offered in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Application Deadlines

• Fall: Rolling
• Spring: Rolling
• Summer: Rolling

Global Opportunities

The PLuS Alliance partnership combines the strengths of leading research universities from two continents to create and share knowledge that will solve pressing educational and societal challenges.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program are well prepared to pursue key leadership and management positions at a variety of public sector agencies at the federal, state, and local levels and in related organizations. Career examples include:

• Biosafety officer
• Biosecurity monitor
• Biosecurity officer
• Biosecurity specialist
• Bioterrorism researcher
• Data scientist

Additional Information

This program emphasizes a blended approach of practical knowledge and broader integrative thinking about the complex societal challenges of today's world. Its core values of collaboration between practitioners, faculty, and students; public service; commitment to diversity; and critical thinking and evidence-based assessment are all central to promoting informed and effective leadership.