Despite being the third least populous and fourth least densely populated state in the United States, there are three top-notch emergency management degrees in North Dakota offered at one of the highest ranking universities in the nation. As the “Geographic Center of the North American Continent,” North Dakota is situated in the Great Plains region of the Midwest with a dense covering in predominantly grassland. Thanks to the jet stream, North Dakota can experience increased variability in temperatures that cause some turbulent climate changes that result in snowstorms, blizzards, floods, and severe thunderstorms. With its position at the northern edge of Tornado Alley, North Dakota also is at risk for tornadoes, especially in July.
Due to the prevalence of natural disasters within the “Roughrider State,” there is a strong demand for graduates who have received an emergency management degree to stay within the state’s borders for fruitful employment. In fact, Gallup polls have shown that North Dakota has led the United States in job creation since 2009, with nearly 10 points ahead of competitors. With strong job opportunities and solid population growth, North Dakota boasts the nation’s lowest unemployment rate at just 2.6% and has not touched the 5% mark since 1987! If you are seeking to join an up-and-coming economy to protect the state’s citizens from harm, read on to learn more about the three emergency management degrees available in North Dakota.
North Dakota State University
Department of Emergency Management
Strategically situated on the eastern border with Minnesota in the mid-sized city of Fargo with a dynamic community of more than 14,400 students, North Dakota State University is a major public student-focused land-grant research institution. Consistently ranked in the elite category of 108 prestigious universities in the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, NDSU is currently named as the 181st best college and 102nd top public school in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. With affordable access to an excellent top-ranked learning environment, the Department of Emergency Management offers face-to-face degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels with involvement in disaster research.
Undergraduate Emergency Management Major
In light of the growing need to manage natural, manmade, and technological disasters, the Undergraduate Emergency Management Major has been established at NDSU to provide an introduction to the field for students who are interested in becoming educated as emergency managers. With an emphasis on written and oral communication, the program provides ample opportunities for students to engage in collaborative activities, demonstrate leadership, hone abilities in conducting critical analysis, and cooperatively completing team projects. In order to supplement the 120-credit curriculum, students are also encouraged to build a well-rounded education by participating in internships across the Fargo metropolitan area. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in Comprehensive Emergency Management, Preparedness and Response, Mitigation and Recovery, or International Emergency Management.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Emergency Management
As an academically comprehensive and intellectually challenging graduate degree program, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Emergency Management is structured to explore the latest cutting-edge research literature related to disaster response while providing hands-on opportunities to apply their learned knowledge. With the goal of teaching students how human beings create, interact, and cope with hazardous events, the program will deliver the professional skills needed to succeed in advanced career paths in the emergency management field. Students may choose to complete the research-oriented 39-credit Master’s thesis track or the practice-based 42-credit comprehensive study track to gain significant practicum experience. Upon completion, students will need to successfully pass an oral comprehensive exam attended by all department faculty members.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Emergency Management
At the doctoral level, the Ph.D. in Emergency Management degree program is available to prepare qualified graduate students with strong academic achievement for careers teaching future generations of emergency management specialists in higher learning institutions as well as conducting research that describes patterns related to emergency management. Some doctoral graduates also utilize the degree to obtain advanced leadership positions in the field to become involved in public policy development and analysis. As a rigorous program committed to extensive research and its practical applications, the curriculum offers valuable opportunities to conduct research and work within the field under guidance of experienced professionals. Students must successfully complete 90 credits of advanced studies, written comprehensive examinations, a doctoral dissertation research project, and an oral dissertation defense.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1340 Administration Avenue
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 231-5595
daniel.klenow@ndsu.edu
http://www.ndsu.edu/emgt/
In the face of danger, it is essential for emergency managers to have the training needed to act with confidence in making quick high-stress decisions that can save precious time and lives. Attending an accredited school to earn a degree in emergency management can be the best way to acquire the knowledge, skills, and strategies need to stay calm in times of crisis and handle emergency situations more adeptly. Whether you are a native North Dakotan or are considering moving to the “Peace Garden State,” these great emergency management degrees in North Dakota could provide the ideal academic foundation to effectively plan for manmade or natural disasters.
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