Emergency Management Degrees in Florida

Eight universities in Florida actively engage with government agencies and organizations in the private sector to conduct critical research and to educate present and future leaders for effective disaster and emergency management, not only in Florida but anywhere in the world. The programs at these institutions are described below.

Barry University

School of Professional and Career Education (PACE)

Barry University was established in 1940 as a Catholic women’s college providing liberal arts education, then grew into a coeducational university, now enrolling 9,000 students at different centers throughout Florida. It offers more than a hundred bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs organized within seven schools/colleges. The University emphasizes a well-rounded education for its students beyond the classroom. Academic advisers and the on-campus career center assist students in locating internships and networking opportunities within the city that fit with their degree plans. In 2013, Barry was recognized by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Top Colleges.” It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC} to award bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

In 1971, the university extended its educational offerings to the population of working adult learners in the state by establishing the School of Professional and Career Education. PACE now operates 25 off campus sites and offers 17 undergraduate and two graduate degree programs in fields such as health service, public administration, human resources, legal studies, social welfare and emergency management. It also offers post baccalaureate certificates in six areas.

B.S. in Emergency Management

This online interdisciplinary program is enriched by input from public administration, management, health sciences, criminal justice, psychology and sociology. Some of the required courses are Leadership Development, Business Continuity Crisis Management, International Disaster Management, Mitigation and Preparedness, Psychosocial Issues of Disorder Preparedness and Recovery, and Group Dynamics and Decision-Making. With this wide and in-depth coverage of issues and problems occurring in catastrophic situations, the graduate will be able to provide leadership in the comprehensive management of natural or man-made disasters when they occur. 120 credits are required for graduation, 30 of which can be earned through professional work experience or community service. The student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0

Contact information

11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161
305-899-3300
1-800-945-2279
Email: webmaster@barry.edu
Link

Everglades University

Everglades University started as the American Flyers Academy in 1990 but evolved into its present stature, offering eight bachelor’s and three master’s degree programs in applied and career oriented programs such as Alternative Medicines, Alternative and Renewable Energy, and Construction Management. They have retained their expert training in aviation, offering bachelor’s degrees in Aviation Technology and in Aviation Management, and the master’s degree in Aviation Science. The University maintains a close relationship with educational and professional organizations and with civic and trade groups to keep its programs current and connected with the community. It retains membership in 38 associations and organizations related to higher education and the programs that it offers. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Everglades is also approved for veterans’ training.

B.S. in Crisis and Disaster Management

This is a comprehensive program covering all aspects of crisis and disaster management including planning, preparedness and response, public policy, disaster and society, managing human resources and disaster health management. Higher level skills in critical thinking, planning, communication and management are developed. Of the 123 credit hours required, 30 are in general education and 33 in lower division business courses such as accounting, management and macroeconomics. 50 credits in upper division must be completed in courses such as Management Information Systems, Community Disaster Mitigation and Recovery, Hazard Analysis and Risk Management, and Crisis and Disaster Psychology. Students have the option to complete all program requirements online.

Contact information

5002 T-REX Avenue, #100
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Toll-free 888-772-6077
Tel. 561-912-1211
Fax 561-912-1191
Email: admissions-sar@evergladesuniversity.edu
Link

Florida International University

School of International and Public Affairs

Florida International is a public research university offering 200 baccalaureate, masters and doctorate programs, 31 of them specifically for the research doctorate. Besides the research focus, the university prides itself in its broad student-centered approach to learning, making meaningful connections between students and faculty and from the classroom to communities and national and global partners. The student population of 50,000 consists of a hugely diverse group with different backgrounds; Florida International is number one in the nation in awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Hispanic students. Besides accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), all professional degree programs are accredited or recognized by the appropriate professional associations or are in the process of seeking this recognition.

The School of International and Public Affairs was established in 2009 with a mission to meet the new challenges of the globalized world of the 21st century. It has brought the rich resources of the university to provide cutting-edge research, innovative instruction and currently relevant topics into its programs. It provides degree programs at the bachelor’s. master’s and doctoral levels in eight departments. Undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in several specialties are offered, including one in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

This certificate program is open to students holding a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and who maintained a 3.0 grade point average in upper division courses. It provides the knowledge and integrative skills to achieve a coordinated approach among all relevant public, private and nonprofit organizations in the prevention and response to emergencies and disaster. This often involves the allocation of scarce resources at the local and regional level. South Florida’s vulnerable operating environment will figure largely in the courses.

The curriculum consists of 9 credits in required courses, and 9 credits in elective courses, totaling 18 credits. The required courses are Emergency Management and Planning, Homeland Security Management for State and Local Government, and Homeland Security Risk Assessment. Among the elective courses are The Public Administrator and Media Relations, Administrative Law, IT and E-government, and Natural Disasters and Social Vulnerability. The program must be completed in three years with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and at least a C grade in each course.

Contact information

Modesto A. Maidique PCA 257
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
Tel: 305-348-5890
Fax: 305-348-5848
E-mail: pubadmin@fiu.edu
Link

Florida State College at Jacksonville

School of Public Safety and Management

Florida State College at Jacksonville started as a junior college in 1966 enrolling 2610 students in its single campus. Today, it provides an impressive number of career and vocational training programs to a student population of 57,000, at five campuses and seven centers. It offers 13 bachelor’s degrees and 45 associate degrees, as well as certificates in 100 programs. Its Open Campus extends these programs and campuses throughout the world. In 2012-2013, it held the distinction of being fourth in the nation for the number of associate degrees awarded among public, four-year institutions. The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The School of Public Safety and Management offers Associate in Science degrees in Criminal Justice, Fire Science Technology, Emergency Administration, Management (Homeland Security) and Paralegal, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Management, and technical certificates in several areas. A faculty of dedicated professionals and top state-of-the-art facilities distinguish this School.

B.A.S. in Public Safety Management

This Bachelor of Applied Science program focuses on the knowledge and skills required to administer public safety programs, which include coordination, collaboration, and communication among agencies and services. Critical thinking and decision-making skills are developed. Students are helped to gain a high level of understanding of organizational dynamics required for effective leadership and management of public safety agencies. Foundation courses include National Incident Management, Public Safety Policy and Law, Emergency Planning and Response, and Public finance. The Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree is required for entry into this program. 120 credits must be earned to qualify for graduation, 36 of which are the general education core requirements, and 27 in public safety management foundation. There is also a foreign language requirement for all students. Finally, a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained.

Contact information

101 W State St
Jacksonville, FL, United States
904-633-8100
Email: info@fscj.edu
Link 

Florida State University

Askew School of Public Administration and Policy

Florida State University is an internationally recognized premier research institution of higher learning, earning Carnegie Foundation’s highest designation of Doctoral/Research University-Extensive. Its 40,000 students are enrolled in 16 colleges that offer more than 275 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree levels. The university’s focus is on developing a new generation of leaders by infusing the student experience with the values of strength, skill and character, concepts inscribed in the school seal. Through its commitment to academic and research excellence for students from diverse backgrounds, it has become known nationally for the number of doctorates awarded to African-American students and in the graduation rate of African-American undergraduates. The College of Law and College of Medicine are ranked in the nation’s Top 10 for Hispanic students. The various programs appear consistently in top public university lists by different rating and ranking organizations such as U.S. News and & World Report. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and holds numerous accreditations for its programs and specialties.

Over the years, the Askew School’s faculty has been ranked as one of the 10 most productive research faculties in the nation, and the publications of graduate students have ranked as high as third in the country. Although this is a graduate school, it does offer the undergraduate along with the graduate certificate in Emergency Management as one of its four certificate programs. Its strong ties with both government and nonprofit organizations strengthen this and other programs that have real-world applications in current settings.

Undergraduate Certificate in Emergency Management

This certificate program is open to cross-discipline and non-degree seeking students and requires 12 credit hours of work, some of which are offered online. The core courses of Foundations in Emergency Management and Emergency Management Programs, Planning and Policy set the basis for more specialized elective courses. The student selects two other courses from among the electives, which include Introduction to Terrorism, Disaster Systems, Public Health and Emergency Management, and Disaster Dollars: The Financing of Emergency Management Recovery. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management

The 15 credit hour graduate certificate program also requires core courses of Foundations in Emergency Management and Emergency Management Programs, Planning and Policy but at an advanced level. Three elective courses must be selected; examples are Advanced Topics in Terrorism, International Comparative Disaster Management, Public Health and Emergency Management, and Planning for and Mitigating Global Climate Change. An interesting elective course is Applied Emergency Management Studio: Exercise Design, in which students use a studio format to develop an HSEEP compliant exercise with a real world client.

Contact information

113 Collegiate Loop
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2250
Phone: 850-644-9961
Fax: 850-645-4660
Email: emcertinfo@cdrp.net
Link

Nova Southeastern University

Institute for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Chartered as a graduate institution in the physical and social sciences, Nova University of Advanced Technology came into existence in 1964, conceived by its founders as a future MIT of the South. It continued to add programs and developed an extensive distance education center. Then in 1994, Nova University merged with Southeastern University of Health Sciences to form Nova Southeastern University. Today, its 27,000 students attend one of eight campuses in the state, or at branches in the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. 150 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels are offered in 18 schools, colleges and centers. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC); 26 of its programs are accredited by national professional accrediting agencies.

The Institute for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness first started with the mission of preventing, preparing, responding and recovering from man-made disasters as a response to 9/11. It then broadened its mission to include natural disasters, breaches of campus security, pandemics, marine security and oil rig safety. It maintains partnerships with state and federal agencies and with private corporations such as Shell Oil to cooperate in research and extend training in emergency preparedness to appropriate personnel.

M.S. in Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

This interdisciplinary graduate online program was established in 2012 to prepare future leaders in the growing field of emergency and disaster management. 36 credit hours are required and four degree tracks are offered: maritime safety and security, cyber security, law enforcement/criminal justice, and public health. Required are a biostatistics course, six credit hours from a management and leadership cluster and six credit hours from a threats, hazards and impacts cluster. Some of the courses offered for selection are 21st Century Management, Security Management in a Global Society, Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness, Risk and Crisis Communications, Maritime Safety and Security Leadership, and Telecommunications and Computer Networking.

Contact information

3301 College Avenue
Fort-Lauderdale-Davie, Florida 33314-7796
800-541-6682
Email: http://www.nova.edu/contactus/index.html
Link 

St. Petersburg College

College of Public Safety Administration

St. Petersburg College was founded in 1927 and was the first two-year college to exist in Florida. In 2002, it became the first community college to offer bachelor’s degrees, serving as a model for incorporating bachelor’s degree programs into the two-year system. It offers 40 associate’s and 22 bachelor’s degree level programs, plus 66 certificate and two diploma programs. Its programs are designed with an emphasis on interactive, innovative, and inquiry-centered teaching and learning. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). It is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The College of Public Safety Administration offers six programs that prepare professionals in criminal justice, emergency management and fire safety organizations. Graduates of the A.S. degree programs can transfer all their coursework toward the Bachelor of Applied Science program in Public Safety Administration.

A.S. in Emergency Administration and Management

The Emergency Administration and Management program is appropriate for crisis managers in the private and public sectors as well as for professionals with the responsibility to protect the public in the event of a major emergency. This includes firefighters, police officers, emergency medical service workers, public works officials and private industrial safety managers. Core courses include Technical Applications in Emergency Management, Fire Service Course Delivery, Emergency Management Leadership and Administration, and Effects of Disasters on Society. The student can select one of two tracks which are: Subplan A — Emergency Administration and Management, or Subplan B – Homeland Security. The program ends with an internship. A total of 60 semester hours must be completed. All courses within the major are offered both online and onsite.

Contact information

PO Box 13489
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-3489
727-341-4772
Email: information@spcollege.edu
Link 

University of Central Florida

College of Health and Public Affairs

The University of Central Florida is a research institution of higher learning that began as Florida Technological University in 1963. It acquired its present name in 1978 and continued to grow, adding programs, campuses and facilities until today, it is the second largest university in the nation, providing 60,000 students 212 degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels, It provides these programs in nine regional campuses throughout central Florida. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. In addition, the various programs offered are recognized by 14 scientific, professional, and academic bodies conferring accreditation in specific disciplines.

The College of Health and Public Affairs houses eight degree-granting departments including the School of Public Administration, which offers a graduate certificate and an undergraduate minor in emergency management. The College strives to realize its objectives of mutually beneficial community partnerships, innovative research, diversity and global reach, and state-of-the-art educational programs.

Graduate Certificate Program in Emergency Management

This certificate program was developed with the emergency professional in mind, and attracts those who are already in this field or who intend to enter it professionally. The focus is on communication, coordination and collaboration among government agencies at all levels and with the private and nonprofit sectors. To accommodate the working professional, the courses are taught in the evenings. The curriculum consists of courses totaling 18 credits, 12 in core courses and six in electives. Courses come from different departments and include Regional Planning and Design, Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism, Health Care Decision Sciences and Knowledge Management, Seminar in American Security Policy, and Seminar in Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Undergraduate Minor in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

This minor is offered to students who are enrolled in a degree-seeking program. It consists of five core courses and one restricted elective course, totaling 18 credit hours which must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0. The required courses on War and Society, and Causes of War build on the student’s ability to understand the factors that contribute to conflict and the importance of conflict resolution. Some core and elective courses are Global Perspectives, Politics in the Middle East, Diplomacy, Politics of Globalization, American Security Policy, Cyber Law I, and the Intelligence Community.

Contact information

4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32816
Phone: 407-823-0171
Fax: 407-823-5821
Email: phupdate@ucf.edu.
Link 

The demand for qualified disaster and emergency management professionals keeps growing locally, nationally and internationally. Those looking for challenging opportunities in this field would do well to consider the variety of first-rate programs available among emergency management degrees in Florida.