The number of quality emergency management degrees in Delaware may initially seem surprising for such a small state. Despite its size, Delaware deals with some big issues. Thanks to the state’s business-friendly incorporation laws, over half of the nation’s publically traded companies and nearly two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware. Its proximity to major cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City, puts the state in the path of major travel routes both by land and by air. In addition, the First State’s location alongside the Atlantic Ocean means it regularly faces natural threats from hurricanes and nor’easters. All of these factors mean that people in Delaware truly understand the importance of emergency preparedness.
Delaware Technical Community College
Public Service Cluster
Founded in 1967, Delaware Technical Community College is Delaware’s only community college. An open admission college providing career training, credit and non-credit programs, Delaware Tech is committed to providing excellence, access, hope and opportunity to every single student. The college offers over 100 certificate, diploma and associate degree programs and has nearly 150 articulation agreements with four-year schools that pave the way for students who wish to further their education after completing their Delaware Tech program. The college’s Public Service Cluster includes programs in homeland security and emergency management, communications, criminal justice, drug and alcohol counseling, fire protection, human services, and law enforcement.
Associate in Applied Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Delaware Tech’s Associate in Applied Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program provides students with the skills and foundational knowledge necessary for success in law enforcement, security and management positions in public and private agencies at the local, state and federal levels. The curriculum teaches students to understand the roles and responsibilities of various organizations, including homeland security, criminal justice, and medical agencies, prepares them to use crisis intervention and mitigation strategies with a broad assortment of citizen populations, explains mitigation, “all-hazards” planning, and response and recovery, and educates them about both the history and psychology of domestic and international terrorism. To earn an associate degree, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits in coursework covering security, psychology, computers, communication and criminal justice topics. After receiving their degrees, students will be prepared for entry-level jobs as emergency responders and planners, law enforcement officers, medical responders, military and intelligence personnel, facility operators, and security officers.
Contact
100 Campus Drive
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: 302-857-1742
nshuler@dtcc.edu
Website
University of Delaware
School of Public Policy and Administration
The University of Delaware’s School of Public Policy and Administration provides top quality education by merging academic excellence with professional practice through a thriving program of internship and research assistantship placements. Its merit has been recognized by the U.S. News and World Report, which ranked the school as 37th in the nation among public affairs schools and 25th in both nonprofit management and public administration and management. To fulfill its mission to provide its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform research and lead public service activities that benefit the larger community both economically and socially, the school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in topics that include disaster and science management, public policy, public administration, organizational and community leadership, public health, urban affairs, and historic preservation.
Doctor of Philosophy in Disaster Science and Management
By focusing on research methodologies, theories, and the policies necessary for emergency preparedness, management, mitigation and response, the University of Delaware’s doctorate program in disaster and science management provides an interdisciplinary view of the demanding field of emergency management. Core classes cover disasters, while electives focus on the role of specific disciplines. To receive their Doctor of Philosophy in Disaster Science and Management, students must complete 42 credits of graduate-level coursework, including nine credits of dissertation. In addition, they are expected to focus on one thematic area. Their choices include organizations, management and leadership, vulnerability and resilience, simulation and modeling, policy and planning, and health systems recovery. Upon completion of their degree, students will qualify for positions in academia or consulting. They may also decide to pursue careers with public and private organizations at the local, state and federal levels.
Master of Science in Disaster Science and Management
The University of Delaware’s master’s program in disaster and science management uses as interdisciplinary approach to ensure students have a big picture understanding of disasters and disaster response. The university provides students with two paths to a Master of Science in Disaster Science and Management. Requiring one to two years of study, the non-thesis option is a terminal degree that requires students complete 30 credits, including 24 credits earned in graduate-level coursework and four credits from a practicum. The thesis option focuses more on research and prepares students to continue their education at the doctorate level. Students must complete 30 credits, including 24 credits earned in graduate level coursework and six credits from a thesis. After receiving their degrees, students will be prepared to work as consultants or to take positions in public and private organizations at the local, state and federal levels. Students who choose the thesis option will have the additional alternative of continuing their studies.
Contact
184 Graham Hall
Newark, DE 19716
Phone: 302-831-1687
sppa@udel.edu
Website
Wilmington University
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
A private, non-profit university, Wilmington University is dedicated to offering students individual attention, excellent teaching and a relevant curriculum. The school offers more than 60 degree programs, with classes taught online, at the university’s seven Delaware campuses, and at partnering colleges in New Jersey and Maryland. At Wilmington University’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, students examine human behavior and its effects on decision making, human interaction and group processes. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in homeland security, criminal justice, behavioral science, legal studies, governmental and public policy, psychology, organizational dynamics, political science, military science, mental health counseling, child advocacy, and conflict resolution.
Master of Science in Homeland Security
Homeland security is a fast-paced, rapidly evolving field that plays an increasing role in the operation and protection of public and private organizations. To function efficiently, homeland security must combine an understanding of risk management, public safety, information security, military and law enforcement. Taught by faculty who work in the industry, Wilmington University’s master’s degree program in homeland security provides students with the foundational knowledge and technical and managerial tools required for careers in security preparedness. It covers broad trends and gives students a chance to explore special concentrations in organizational leadership, information assurance, and safety and security. Offered in several flexible formats, including online, the master’s degree program requires students to earn a total of 33 credits, including 18 credits in core courses, 12 credits in an area of special concentration and three credits from a final capstone project. After completing their Master of Science in Homeland Security degree, students will qualify for various jobs in the field of homeland security and emergency preparedness. They will also be well positioned to continue their studies at the doctorate level.
Contact
320 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: 877-967-5464
infocenter@wilmu.edu
Website
Delaware may be small in geographic size, but its seaside location, proximity to so many major metropolitan areas and thriving business interests ensure that this East Coast state is big on emergency preparedness. Prospective college students searching for emergency management degrees in Delaware will find a number of excellent programs that deserve their consideration.
For more information on earning your Online Emergency Management degree, please see “Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs 2014“.