Emergency Management Degrees in Minnesota
Since the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is renowned for being an educational epicenter for the Midwest with nearly as many diverse academic options as large bodies of water, it is no surprise that there are an increasing number of emergency management degrees in Minnesota. Along with the continuous threat for man-made disasters, meteorological events like snowstorms, blizzards, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high velocity straight-line winds can place the state’s over 5.4 million residents at risk. In order to design effective emergency response plans to keep citizens safe in the face of danger, there are around 44,020 professionals in the protective service occupations, including emergency management, in Minnesota. If you wish to build the tools needed to join the forces in preventing or alleviating the effects of disaster, read on to learn about the numerous emergency management degrees offered in the “North Star State.”
Capella University
School of Public Service Leadership
Based in the state’s capital city of Minneapolis with a grand total of more than 35,700 students, Capella University is a comprehensive for-profit institution owned by the Capella Education Company that delivers the majority of its educational programs online. Offering over 1,600 online courses in more than 25 certificate and 141 degree programs, Capella is currently recognized by the Guide to Online Schools as being the 23rd best online college in the United States. Within the School of Public Service Leadership, students can choose from academic programs that are specifically designed to build the sound collaboration skills to work with healthcare, public safety, and public administration professionals to solve public service problems.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Safety with Emergency Management Specialization
Designed to assist undergraduate students with advancing career opportunities in public safety, law enforcement, homeland security, and disaster recovery, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Safety with an Emergency Management Specialization will provide an overview of foundational public safety theories within an emergency management framework. Featuring a total of 180 quarter credits, the rigorous online curriculum trains students to think critically in issues related to emergency management, oversee disaster operations, and understand the external factors that impact emergency situations. After graduation, students can seek entry-level positions in emergency management within fire services, hospitals, law enforcement, corrections, military bases, private security firms, corporations, or government agencies.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Public Safety with Emergency Management Specialization
As a professional online degree that develops the leadership skills needed to coordinate agencies in crisis situations, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Public Safety program with an Emergency Management Specialization is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the dynamics of all phases of dealing with natural and man-made disasters. From critical incident stress management and risk assessment to evaluation and analysis via the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the program trains students to lead organizations in emergency preparedness activities. Within the 48 quarter credit program, students will strengthen their collaboration skills by participating in Capella’s cutting-edge simulation center known as Riverbend City to solve real-life emergency situations.
Ph.D. in Public Safety with Emergency Management Specialization
For qualified graduate students who are interested in managing integrated multi-jurisdictional disaster management agencies to improve emergency preparedness, the Ph.D. in Public Safety program offers an online Emergency Management Specialization with the completion of 120 quarter credits. With real-life case studies from chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) situations, the program offers students the opportunity to oversee complex emergency events as well as participate in their own doctoral research to advance the emergency management field. Graduates often go on to become emergency management directors, homeland security coordinators, law enforcement specialists, intelligence operations specialists, border patrol officers, university professors, or crime scene investigation managers.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-8650
alicia.amling@capella.edu
http://www.capella.edu/public-service-degrees/programs/
Hennepin Technical College
Department of Emergency & Public Safety
First founded in 1972 to supply a skilled workforce to the area’s growing community, the Hennepin Technical College is a public two-year technical institution with a total of over 5,500 students on two suburban campus surrounding Minneapolis. Recently rated as one of the state’s top 10 colleges by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, HTC works closely with community partners to provide customized experiential learning within academic programs that lead to associate’s degrees, diplomas, or certificates. The Department of Emergency & Public Safety is specifically dedicated to preparing students for a variety of employment opportunities in the expanding field of emergency management with the essential knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively to crisis situations.
Advanced Technical Certificate in Emergency Management
Offered at the Eden Prairie campus in a convenient evening format, the Advanced Technical Certificate in Emergency Management program is designed to help students build the critical skills needed to function effectively in the field of emergency management. Meeting the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the curriculum develops knowledge in emergency preparedness, mitigation, hazardous materials, disaster planning, government continuity, public information, communications, terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction. Ideal for emergency management directors, assistant emergency management directors, and emergency management coordinators seeking to expand their skills, the certificate requires the completion of just 20 credits without committing to a degree program.
Emergency Medical Services Specialist Certificate
In an effort to train the first responders on an emergency of medical scene to ensure patients receive the initial care needed during transportation to healthcare facilities, the Emergency Medical Services Specialist Certificate is offered at the Brooklyn Park or Eden Prairie campus to build the skills necessary for entering the growing field of emergency medical services (EMS). Featuring a grand total of 26 credits, the program is highly focused on hands-on learning. In fact, all students are required to fulfill an 80-hour EMS ride-along experience with Metro Ambulance Services. Graduates of the program are qualified to begin entry-level positions of employment in a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance service, but many further their education by going to paramedic school.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
(952) 995-1300
info@hennepintech.edu
https://www.hennepintech.edu/programs/overview/Emergency_Management
Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Academy of Education and Public Services
With a long distinguished history of career-oriented vocational education dating back to 1914, the Minneapolis Community & Technical College is a public two-year technical institution of nearly 15,000 credit students on a 21-acre urban campus in Minneapolis within the heart of the dynamic Twin Cities metropolitan area. Offering more than 60 different occupational programs, MCTC grants associate’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a wide range of fields. In particular, the Academy of Education and Public Services prepares students through certificates, diplomas, and associate’s degrees for careers in air traffic control, community development, criminal justice, education, homeland security, human services, law enforcement, and personal training or group exercise instruction.
Homeland Security Specialist A.A.S. Degree
Available for employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Homeland Security Specialist A.A.S. Degree program aims to build the essential competencies needed to succeed in today’s vibrant and growing industry of homeland security for emergency/disaster management. With the goal of producing professionals who can help protect the community from natural and man-made threats, the program introduces the concepts of homeland security as a component of public safety, emergency medical services, fire protection, and law enforcement. Featuring a 60-credit curriculum with a well-rounded criminal justice background, the program focuses on risk assessment and threat analysis to address the need for more skilled personnel in our government’s emergency management centers.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 659-6000
dale.burns@minneapolis.edu
http://www.minneapolis.edu/Educational-Programs/Public-Service
Rasmussen College
School of Justice Studies
As home to more than 15,000 students, Rasmussen College is a for-profit private institution offering two and four-year degrees at 24 campuses throughout Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, Florida, Kansas, Wisconsin, and online from anywhere. Although Rasmussen was initially founded in 1900 as a practical business school to address the community’s needed for skilled business professionals, the college now offers more than 80 programs on-campus or online in health sciences, business, justice studies, education, nursing, and technology and design. The School of Justice Studies features a variety of industry-relevant degrees related to law enforcement that deliver exceptional first-hand learning experiences outside the classroom and instruction from seasoned criminal justice professionals.
Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice with Specialization in Homeland Security
With the mission of producing competent criminal justice professionals who can serve as the protectors and defenders of our nation’s society, the Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice program focuses on building the decision-making abilities and critical thinking skills necessary for making life-or-death decisions in high pressure emergency situations. In addition to the core knowledge that combines tactical skills and day-to-day knowledge of various criminal justice occupations, the program offers a Specialization in Homeland Security to advance opportunities to join government agencies in minimizing security threats. Depending on students’ learning needs, the program is offered in an accelerated, online, or blended format to mix both online and on-campus courses within a traditional 11-week schedule.
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with Specialization in Homeland Security
Designed specifically for current criminal justice professionals to further their education by learning from sheriffs, sergeants, and other seasoned law enforcement leaders, the Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice program delivers the essential knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to positively react to ever-changing scenarios in today’s fast-paced criminal justice field. All students are given the opportunity to gain real-world insights in experiential learning, including police ride-alongs, correctional facility visits, and other hands-on experiences. In the accelerated online format that fits students’ personal and professional lifestyle, the program offers a Specialization in Homeland Security that is an excellent option for students wanting to play an integral role in America’s defense infrastructure for disaster prevention.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4400 78th Street W 6th Floor
Bloomington, MN 55435
(952) 545-2000
admissions@mail.rasmussen.edu
http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/criminal-justice/
University of Minnesota
Technological Leadership Institute
Situated on a 1,204-acre urban campus across the major cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in the Twin Cities metropolitan area with satellite campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester, the University of Minnesota is the state’s elite flagship comprehensive public research institution. Renowned for being one of the nation’s largest schools with more than 64,900 students, UMN is currently ranked as the 69th best college and 25th top public school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. As part of the College of Science and Engineering, the Technological Leadership Institute (TLI) is committed to offering academic programs that build targeted skills to produce some of the industry’s top minds and keep Minnesota at the global forefront of high-tech business.
Master of Science in Security Technologies (MSST)
Founded as a 14-month program with a multi-disciplinary approach, the Master of Science in Security Technologists (MSST) program is designed to shape tomorrow’s risk management innovators to improve national security in response to the growing demand for protection from threats at all levels of government and industry. Offering two learning tracks in Security Systems Technologies or Security and Risk Management, the graduate-level program bridges the field’s various disciplines to encourage innovative solutions that address local, regional, national, and global areas of need. Within the 32-credit program, students will gain an in-depth understanding on systems risk analysis, engineering, emerging security technologies, economics, public policy, law, human factors, and other pertinent safety issues for protecting our nation.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
200 Oak Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-4380
msst@umn.edu
http://tli.umn.edu/graduate/msst
Walden University – Minnesota
School of Public Policy and Administration
Headquartered in the Mill District of Minnesota’s state capital city in Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit higher learning institution that belongs to a greater network of on-campus and online universities owned by the Laureate Education Company. With a total headcount of more than 48,900 students, Walden is fully accredited by the North Central Association (NCA) to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The School of Public Policy and Administration is dedicated to preparing students in online programs for shaping our nation’s public policies, evaluating programs, managing resources, planning for emergency disaster situations, and serving the public good.
B.S. in Criminal Justice
At the undergraduate level, the B.S. in Criminal Justice program has been established to help students gain the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for a career in the justice system within law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, or human services. In an online format using the latest interactive media for computer-generated scenarios, the program blends contemporary theories with criminal justice practices. Within the program, students can choose a concentration in Computer Information Systems and Security, Crime and Criminals, Criminal Justice Management and Administration, Homeland Security, or Human Services for Criminal Justice. Students also have the chance to explore global policies through an optional one or two-week seminar in Europe, Asia, or South America.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Through in-depth research, advanced coursework, and practical learning, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares graduate students to balance budgets, negotiate contracts, manage conflicts, build partnerships, and deliver services to citizens. In addition to the general program, students can choose a specialization in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Global Leadership, Health Policy, Homeland Security Policy and Coordination, Policy Analysis, Public Management and Leadership, or Terrorism Mediation and Peace. With a focus on the essential critical thinking skills needed for gaining leadership in the public, private, or non-profit sectors, the program requires the completion of 46 quarter credits in a 100% online format from anywhere.
M.S. in Criminal Justice and Executive Management
Intended for criminal justice professionals who are interested in gaining the advanced skills needed to assume more senior roles or transition into a second career as a consultant, the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Executive Management program is available to meet these goals. Since the nature of crime continues to evolve, the program ensures that graduates have the essential strategies to develop policies that combat crime in our increasingly complex society. Along with the general program, there are specializations offered in Emergency Management, Global Leadership, Homeland Security, Law and Public Policy, Public Management and Leadership, and Terrorism Mediation and Peace. All students regardless of specialization will need to successfully complete at least 46 quarter credits.
M.S. in Emergency Management
As a professional degree program that can be completed with 46 quarter credits in as little as 15 months full-time within a convenient online format, the M.S. in Emergency Management program is focused on the key competencies related to designing and implementing disaster response plans. In an effort to prepare graduates for certifications by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the program delivers the advanced skills needed to respond to any crisis situation, from hurricanes and train derailments to terrorist attacks and cyber crimes. Students may choose to specialize their studies in Criminal Justice, Global Leadership, Homeland Security, Public Management and Leadership, or Terrorism and Emergency Management to find their niche in the emergency response team.
Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
Featuring a total of 16 quarter credits that can be completed in as little as six months, the Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice has been designed to focus on building an in-depth understanding of today’s key issues confronting the American criminal justice system. Ideal for criminal justice professionals in law enforcement, corrections, security, court systems, emergency management, and other associated support agencies, the program is founded upon contemporary decision-making models to improve critical thinking abilities in high-stress crisis situations. After completing the certificate, the credits can be immediately applied towards receiving the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration.
Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security
With the goal of furthering the skills needed for professionals to be prepared when emergency incidents occur to implement policies that protect individual safety without compromising freedom, the Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security program enhances leadership skills in designing emergency response plans. Featuring coursework in homeland security, critical incident leadership, disaster planning, and terrorism, the graduate certificate requires the completion of at least 16 total quarter credits in as little as six months full-time. After achieving the certificate, students can apply the credits for a smooth transition into the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration programs.
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration
On the pathway towards obtaining the knowledge, skills, values, and credentials needed to change the world, the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration program is designed to prepare graduate students to meet the challenges of governance to improve the quality of life today. As one of the most respected online degree programs of its kind with a diverse faculty of scholar-practitioners, the program opens career opportunities as researchers, college-level educators, and administrative leaders in all sectors of the industry. Students can choose a generalist path or select a specialization in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Global Leadership, Homeland Security, Local Government Management, Policy Analysis, or Terrorism Meditation and Peace. Including the doctoral dissertation, the program requires the completion of at least 82 quarter credits beyond an accredited master’s degree.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
100 South Washington Avenue Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 312-1200
http://www.waldenu.edu/programs/study-area/criminal-justice
As the emergency management sector continues to grow to face down man-made and natural disasters, it is becoming more important for professionals to attend an accredited degree program to learn how to evaluate risks, predict problems, and offer innovative solutions that will keep people safe from harm. Whether you are a native Minnesotan or are considering moving to the “Gopher State” for higher education, do not forget to check out these emergency management degrees in Minnesota that can be earned on-campus or online.
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