Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Program Overview

Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Overview

The Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security program at the University at Albany prepares students to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against crises. The degree encompasses the fundamental principles of emergency management and homeland security, including identifying stakeholders, studying past incidents and research, evaluating governance and ethics, and designing appropriate solutions.

Program of Study

The MS in Emergency Management and Homeland Security program requires 36 credits, including:

• Core Courses (9 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Emergency Management
  • Fundamentals of Homeland Security
  • Research Design for Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• Methods (3 credits)
  • Choose one: Quantitative Methods, Qualitative Methods, or Professional Analytical Skills
• Tracks (6 credits)
  • Choose Emergency Management or Homeland Security:
    • Emergency Management:
      • Preparedness and Response
      • Mitigation and Recovery
    • Homeland Security:
      • Terrorism and Counterterrorism
      • Homeland Security Risk
• Electives (6 credits)
• Culminating Experience (3 credits)
  • Choose one: Practicum or Master's thesis
• Concentrations (9 credits)
  • Choose from:
    • Security Risk Analysis
    • Planning and Coordination
    • Intelligence Analysis
    • Risk Communication
    • Self-Guided

Research

Students will learn and evaluate both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with examples drawn from emergency preparedness, homeland security, and cybersecurity. Courses will explore data collection, analysis techniques, research ethics, and objective reporting.

Career Outcomes

With a master's in emergency management and homeland security, students will be prepared to address crises in public, private, and non-profit sectors, including non-governmental organizations and higher education. Potential job titles include:

• Emergency Manager
• Public Information Officer
• Federal Agent
• Government Continuity Specialist
• Business Continuity Manager
• Consultant
• Analyst

Admissions Requirements

• Deadlines:
  • Departmental Assistantship Consideration: March 1 (Fall), November 1 (Spring), N/A (Summer)
  • No Departmental Assistantship Consideration: August 1 (Fall), January 1 (Spring), April 1 (Summer)
• Required Application Materials:
  • Official transcripts from all schools attended (GPA of 3.0 or higher strongly preferred)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume
  • Short-Answer Responses:
    1. Discuss background and experiences leading to interest in Emergency Management and/or Homeland Security (500 words or less)
    2. State short and long-term career objectives, including how the program will assist in achieving those objectives (500 words or less)
    3. Describe barriers to success and how they were overcome, and how skills and knowledge leveraged to circumvent those barriers may also help with the demands of being enrolled in a master's program (250 words or less)
    4. Identify the concentration of interest and explain why (250 words or less)

Student Learning Objectives

• Describe the origins and fundamental principles of emergency management and homeland security
• Identify emergency management and homeland security key stakeholders
• Summarize lessons learned from decades of emergency management and homeland security research
• Develop oral and written skills needed to effectively coordinate and collaborate with various stakeholders
• Analyze and evaluate governance and ethical considerations related to emergency management and homeland security
• Design solutions for interdisciplinary challenges associated with emergency management and homeland security

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again. Supplemental programs available with this degree include:

• Africana Studies CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity CGS
• International Education Management CGS

Program Outline

The program emphasizes:

• Identifying stakeholders
• Studying past incidents and research
• Evaluating governance and ethics
• Designing appropriate solutions

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the origins and fundamental principles of emergency management and homeland security
• Identify emergency management and homeland security key stakeholders
• Summarize lessons learned from decades of emergency management and homeland security research
• Develop oral and written skills needed to effectively coordinate and collaborate with various stakeholders
• Analyze and evaluate governance and ethical considerations related to emergency management and homeland security
• Design solutions for interdisciplinary challenges associated with emergency management and homeland security

Program Features:

• Flexible learning: On-campus, online, and synchronous options
• Specializations: Choose either Emergency Management or Homeland Security track
• Culminating experience: Choose from practicum, thesis, or concentrations
• Research opportunities: Work with diverse researchers on real-world challenges
• Career preparation: Develop skills for various sectors, including government, non-profits, and private companies

Outline:

Core Courses (9 credits):

• Fundamentals of Emergency Management
• Fundamentals of Homeland Security
• Research Design for Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Methods (3 credits):

• Quantitative Methods
• Qualitative Methods
• Professional Analytical Skills

Tracks (6 credits):

• Emergency Management:
• Preparedness and Response
• Mitigation and Recovery
• Homeland Security:
• Terrorism and Counterterrorism AND Homeland Security Risk
• OR
• Political Violence, Insurgency, and Terrorism AND Homeland Security Risk Analysis and Risk Management

Electives (6 credits):

• Choose from a variety of electives, including:
• Security Risk Analysis
• Advanced Threat and Hazard Assessment
• Homeland Security Intelligence
• Risk Theory and Management
• Planning and Coordination
• Planning, Risk, and Continuity
• Governance and Stakeholders in Emergency Management and Homeland Security
• Crises & Vulnerable Populations
• Intelligence Analysis
• Homeland Security Intelligence
• Information Analysis Techniques and Technologies
• Intelligence Preparation and Production
• Risk Communication
• Risk Communication for Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
• Crisis and Vulnerable Populations
• Weather, Climate Change, and Societal Impacts
• Self-Guided (determined in consultation with your advisor)

Culminating Experience (3 credits):

• Choose from:
• Practicum
• Master's thesis
• Concentrations

Careers:

Potential job titles for graduates:

• Emergency Manager
• Federal Agent
• Government Continuity Specialist
• Business Continuity Manager
• Consultant
• Analyst
• ...and more in various sectors

Other:

• The program offers an accelerated undergraduate/graduate option.
• Students with a felony conviction may face challenges meeting program requirements or licensure requirements for certain professions.
• Supplemental degree programs are available in various related fields.