Since there has never been a time in U.S. history when our government has been more concerned with public safety due to the rising threat of both natural and manmade disasters, it is no surprise that there are a large number of emergency management degrees in Ohio to prepare the next generation of emergency responders at some of the nation’s top colleges. Situated in the Great Lakes region in the Midwest as the tenth most densely populated state, Ohio is no stranger to receiving severe and sometimes dangerous weather.
Although tornadoes and severe lake effect snowstorms with blizzard conditions are the largest natural threat, Ohio has also experienced more than 30 earthquakes in the last decade, including one with a magnitude of 4.0 near Youngstown in 2011. With major hubs in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, Toledo, Dayton, and Canton, there is a strong demand for emergency managers to ensure the safety of more than 11.5 million Ohioans. If you are interested in studying and working in the “Buckeye State,” read on to find out more details about the accredited undergraduate and graduate emergency management degree programs located within Ohio.
Columbus State Community College
Department of EMS and Fire Science Technologies
Situated on a main 70-acre urban campus near downtown Columbus with a satellite location in Liberty Township in Southern Delaware County and 10 off-campus extension centers around Ohio, Columbus State Community College is a comprehensive public two-year community college with a current enrollment of over 26,000 students. With around 11,000 of those students completing their degree online, CSCC has been recognized for being the largest provider of distance learning among higher education institutions in the state. Well-known for featuring a two-story fire training lab simulator for live burn demonstrations, the Department of EMS and Fire Science Technologies is committed to training the next generation of certified public safety professionals.
Associate of Technical Studies (ATS) in Emergency Medical Services/Fire Science
Since emergency medical services are increasingly provided through fire science agencies, the Associate of Technical Studies (ATS) in Emergency Medical Services/Fire Science program is designed to offer students the chance to combine these two areas of study into one single degree with specific preparation for entering or advancing in such agencies. Within the 69-credit curriculum, students will build on general education requirements by taking courses in fire protection systems, fire hydraulics, building construction, fire behavior, EMS rescue, emergency services principles, paramedic, firefighting tactics, disaster planning, public safety, and critical care. Upon completion, graduates will demonstrate the technical proficiency needed to exhibit skills consistent with professional standards in the entry-level role of firefighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician.
Accreditations
Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
375 North Grant Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 287-5353
ems@cscc.edu
http://www.cscc.edu/academics/departments/ems-fire/ems-fire-14-15.shtml
Lakeland Community College
Criminal Justice Department
Serving more than 12,000 full-time and part-time students each year, Lakeland Community College is a comprehensive two-year public junior college founded to meet the social and economic needs of Lake County with a main campus in Kirtland and a satellite location in Madison. Since its inception in 1967 as the first college founded by a vote of the people in Ohio, LCC has grown dramatically to offer over 130 associate degree and certificate programs that prepare students for immediate employment or four-year transfer. The Criminal Justice Department is particularly devoted to enhancing field-specific knowledge and skills to advance a career in the diverse criminal justice field.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Emergency Management Planning and Administration
As the overall magnitude of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other major emergencies has enhanced public awareness on the necessity of effective emergency management, the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Emergency Management Planning and Administration program has been created to provide a comprehensive all-hazards curriculum to reduce public vulnerability to disastrous events. Within the 62-credit program delivered in a convenient online format, students will take courses that address the four major umbrellas of the emergency management field, including mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery. As the only college in Ohio with international accreditation through the IFSAC, the program was also the first associate degree in emergency management endorsed by FEMA statewide.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice
Designed to prepare students to serve the community in a wide variety of law enforcement or corrections settings, the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminal Justice program is focused on building the knowledge and skills to support professional growth among both pre-service individuals and in-service practitioners. Through a seamless blend of theory and practical experience, the program prepares graduates to perform the basic duties associated with entry-level positions in criminal justice. In the 60-credit curriculum, students will take courses in public speaking, humanities, sociology, community corrections, criminology, criminal justice ethics, criminal law, interrogation, government, criminal procedure, juvenile delinquency, and more. All students will have the option of receiving academic credit for successfully completing the State of Ohio’s Corrections Officer or Basic Police Academy.
Accreditations
International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
7700 Clocktower Drive
Kirtland, OH 44094
(440) 525-7252
lsilvi@lakelandcc.edu
http://lakelandcc.edu/web/about/criminal-justice
Notre Dame College
Division of Criminal Justice
As a comprehensive private co-educational Catholic liberal arts institution, Notre Dame College is based on a 48-acre main residential campus in South Euclid within just 10 miles east of bustling downtown Cleveland. With a current total enrollment of around 2,250 students, NDC is fully accredited by the North Central Association (NCA) to confer associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in 30 different majors through five academic divisions. The Division of Criminal Justice offers online programs for students who are seeking the preparation needed to face the next generation of security and policy challenges in the areas of homeland security, intelligence analysis, cyber security, law enforcement, public health, and more.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice
Ideal for undergraduate students pursuing careers in law enforcement, homeland security, victim advocacy, corrections, security, substance abuse counseling, or the court system, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice program is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of emerging law enforcement trends within our nation’s justice system. With a unique emphasis on criminal intelligence and cyber security, the program strives to prepare students for analyzing the basic structure of the U.S. criminal justice system from an interdisciplinary perspective to better understand public policy issues that impact it. Featuring a full-time expert faculty, the 45-credit major is delivered fully online after completing general education courses to enable students to work at their own pace from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in National Security and Intelligence Studies
Offered as an online 36-credit program that can be completed in just 18 months full-time, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in National Security and Intelligence Studies degree intends to enhance graduate students’ understanding of modern security challenges as well as the appropriate response methods for protecting the safety of the public. Students are primed with the skills to anticipate, prevent, and react to security threats to make our nation a safer place with career paths as law enforcement agents, immigration officers, border patrol agents, policy analysts, intelligence operations officers, or homeland security specialists. Along with the online curriculum, students will be required to complete three courses in an on-campus intensive weekend format to collaborate face-to-face with fellow cohorts and professional guests.
Certificate in Intelligence Analysis
First established in 2003 to help students meet the high demand placed upon security professionals in the criminal justice field, the Certificate in Intelligence Analysis will provide an academic background for building the basic skills needed to work as analysts in national security, law enforcement, or the private sector. Many students decide to pursue the certificate to supplement their learning while earning a degree in criminal justice, political science, history, psychology, international relations, sociology, public administration, and more. For completion in less than one calendar year, the certificate is delivered fully online for students with an associate’s degree or proof of graduation from an accredited law enforcement training academy.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
4545 College Road
South Euclid, OH 44121
(216) 381-1680
HCade@ndc.edu
http://online.notredamecollege.edu/academics/criminal-justice/
Ohio Dominican University
Criminal Justice Department
Established in 1911 as a comprehensive private Catholic liberal arts institution for more than 2,660 students of all faiths, Ohio Dominican University is located on a 93-acre urban campus in the heart of the state’s capital city within the third fastest-growing metropolitan area of the Midwest. Named a “Military Friendly School” by Victory Media for five consecutive years, ODU is currently ranked as the 84th best college and 29th top school for veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Based on the standards of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the Criminal Justice Department endeavors to provide comprehensive coverage of law enforcement, courts, juvenile justice, corrections, and homeland security.
Certificate in Homeland Security
Within the Criminology and Criminal Justice program at Ohio Dominican, undergraduate students have the option to supplement their learning of the criminal justice system and criminological theories with a Certificate in Homeland Security. In order to provide an introduction to the constitutional and common law implications of America’s Department of Homeland Security, the certificate is designed to cover the emerging criminal, civil, and administrative public policy issues since 9/11. As an 18-hour certificate, the program will provide the opportunity for students to discuss common law tort, federal homeland security regulations, emerging public safety requirements, security concerns, and the latest security challenges to prepare for employment in the growing field of homeland security.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 251-4591
skovrons@ohiodominican.edu
http://www.ohiodominican.edu/Academics/Undergraduate-Areas-of-Study/Criminal-Justice/Criminal-Justice/
Ohio State University
College of Arts and Sciences
Headquartered on a sprawling 1,700-acre urban campus in Columbus with a physical presence throughout the state in Wooster, Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and online from anywhere, Ohio State University is one of America’s largest comprehensive public land-grant research institutions with more than 62,000 students. Named the 113th best university in the world by QS World University Rankings, OSU is currently ranked as the 54th top regional college, 18th best public school, and 5th best university for veterans in the nation by the U.S. World and News Report. In the College of Arts and Sciences, the International Studies Program offers a holistic, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural foundation for addressing contemporary global problems.
Undergraduate International Studies Major with Security and Intelligence Specialization
Offered in collaboration with several departments as an interdisciplinary undergraduate program, the International Studies Major is devoted wholly to providing internationally focused cross-cultural coursework to enhance students’ study concerning various different world regions as well as contemporary global themes. With a specific emphasis on contemporary world affairs, the major offers a Security and Intelligence Specialization within the four-year program that requires the successful completion of at least 119 credits. In the junior or senior year, students are encouraged to participate in a study abroad and/or internship program overseas with approved agencies in over 40 different countries worldwide. After completing the rigorous curriculum, graduates are well-informed about world issues, proficient in a foreign language, and possess the essential public speaking skills for governmental service.
Minor in Security and Intelligence
At Ohio State, the Minor in Security and Intelligence has been designed to focus on preparing students to enter the homeland security field of the 21st century to address the changing nature of conflict and war in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Students are introduced to the most prominent threats with which state and federal governments are facing, including terrorism, war, biological warfare, economic espionage, cyber attacks, trans-national crime, environmental degradation, and information theft. For completion of the minor, students will be required to complete a minimum of 15 credits for five total courses in a vast variety of electives focused on learning about our nation’s intelligence community.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
1885 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-9657
foster.24@osu.edu
http://internationalstudies.osu.edu/
Owens Community College
School of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Named in honor of the well-known glass entrepreneur Michael J. Owens when opening its doors in 1965, Owens Community College is a comprehensive public two-year institution covering more than 340 acres with suburban campus locations in Toledo and Findlay. Serving more than 20,100 students from Lucas, Wood, Hancock, and Ottawa counties in Ohio, OCC is home to nearly 50 academic programs leading to associate’s degrees, certificates, or diplomas. In the School of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, students are able to receive hands-on training in the Center for Emergency Preparedness (CEP), which boasts the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network for research on emergency hazards and simulated terrorist attacks.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Emergency Management and Planning
Requiring the successful completion of 61 credit hours over two years full-time, the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Emergency Management and Planning program is structured to prepare students to effectively perform the duties of emergency managers and planners in today’s turbulent security field. In preparation for entry-level positions with local, state, regional, or national government agencies as well as private relief organizations, the program trains students to develop emergency preparedness plans, identify emergency needs, and deliver the resources needed to keep the public safe in emergency situations. For graduation, students will need to satisfy course requirements in emergency planning, psychology, technology, government, hazardous materials, mass media, statistics, public information, emergency management, geography information systems, and a capstone practical experience.
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
30335 Oregon Road
P.O. Box 10000
Toledo, OH 43699
(567) 661-7415
barbara_seguine@owens.edu
http://catalog.owens.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=498&returnto=164
Overall, earning a degree related to emergency management is an excellent decision for students who have a strong commitment to pursuing a career in public service to ensure the safety of citizens in the face of danger. Although it is best to avoid disaster through effective security tactics, our turbulent society riddled with conflict and climate change has created a rising demand for emergency managers to respond quickly in times of emergency. When you choose to pursue one of these emergency management degrees in Ohio, you will receive a high-quality accredited education to build the essential skills needed to literally make the difference between life and death in protecting fellow Buckeyes from harm.
For Emergency Management Degrees in Ohio (T-Z), click here.