Program Overview

Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration

The Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration is a graduate program designed for individuals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in fire and emergency services management.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must have a bachelor's degree with an overall 3.00 grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale). Those with less than an overall 3.00 grade-point average may be considered for admission on a probationary basis. In addition to the general requirements, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

• Have significant practical experience in a fire or emergency service organization
• Have a bachelor's degree or a minor in a fire or emergency services related discipline, such as:
  • Fire protection technology
  • Fire management administration
  • Fire science
  • Emergency management
  • Disaster science
  • Criminal justice
  • Emergency services administration
• Not meeting the criteria specified above, completed a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate study in fire protection and/or emergency management, or provide significant proof that studies in another field led to knowledge and experience in fire or emergency services field

Application Requirements

A complete application for admission to the master's program must include:

• A completed Graduate College application submitted with a non-refundable application fee
• A copy of undergraduate transcript(s)
• Two letters of recommendation with at least one from an employer or faculty member familiar with the applicant's academic abilities
• TOEFL results for students for whom English is a second language, with a score above 549 (paper exam) or 79 (internet-based test)
• A brief letter indicating interests, career goals, and other information the applicant considers relevant

Degree Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate College, requirements for the Master of Science degree in fire and emergency management administration include:

• A minimum of 33 credit hours in FEMP or closely related courses
• Required courses include:
  • A 12-hour core requirement
  • A three-hour methods requirement
  • A three-hour administration course requirement
  • A six-hour emergency management or fire administration requirement
  • Six or nine hours of electives
• Students must complete a three-hour practicum research project or a thesis with a minimum of six hours
• Satisfactory completion of a final assessment project (either a Thesis or a Practicum)
• Minimum 3.00 grade-point average, with only one grade of 'C' allowed

Program Delivery

Most courses in the FEMP MS program are conducted in the department's state-of-the-art virtual classroom, where both on-site and off-site students participate simultaneously in the same class sessions.