Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Starting Emergency Management Careers at IUPUI

Founded in 1972, the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs grants a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) in Public Safety Management for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Jaguars dedicated to managing life-saving emergency services. Chaired by Dr. Jeremy Carter, the 120-credit, four-year curriculum develops decision-making skills to quickly respond to terrorist events, natural disasters, and other crises. Expect hands-on courses from Homeland Security to Government Finance with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Undergrads can also apply Indianapolis Fire Department training credits, pledge Alpha Phi Sigma, travel abroad from Germany to Australia, volunteer with the Good Samaritan Network, and complete the Washington Leadership Program internship.

Ranked 39th by the U.S. News & World Report, the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) prepares Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis post-grads for leading nonprofit government departments tasked with serving the community interest. Directed by Dr. John Graham, the 48-credit, NASPAA-accredited program includes Homeland Security & Emergency Management among its seven concentrations to help minimize the impact of disasters. More than 75 percent of Paul H. O’Neill students choose the four-year, part-time format online with 500-level Canvas courses like Risk Analysis for Public Safety plus applied capstone projects. Two dual degrees are available for a Doctor of Jurisprudence or Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies. Individuals can pursue shorter training with the 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security & Emergency Management online for only $6,450 to $17,070 total.

About Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis originated in 1968 when Dr. Maynard Hine worked with Mayor Richard Lugar to form an IU extension in America’s 16th most populous city. In 1970, it graduated an inaugural class of 1,535 and became the location for the IU School of Law. On July 1, 1971, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis received full regional accreditation. In 1974, IUPUI professor Lawrence Einhorn discovered the chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer. In 1975, the School of Continuing Studies debuted for distance education. In 1988, IUPUI established the Norman Brown Diversity & Leadership Scholars Program. In 1992, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis organized the Center for Urban Policy. The next Fall, Purdue programs completed the move to IUPUI’s campus. In 2000, IUPUI joined the Community Higher Education Service Project.

Endowed for $1.1 billion, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis now employs 2,800 faculty teaching 28,710 Jaguars from 142 countries online or at the 509-acre Downtown campus next to White River State Park with 500+ clubs like the Public Affairs Association. In 2017, the IUPUI Upsilon Iota Chapter accepted the Excellence in Education Achievement Award. In 2018, IUPUI won the Indiana Campus Compact’s Engaged Campus of the Year Award. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis received the 2018 CASE Pride of District V Award for Best Alumni Program too. The Center for World University Rankings named IUPUI 79th nationally with the 378th highest-quality education. On Niche, IUPUI boasts America’s 151st best criminal justice degrees and 175th best professors. The Wall Street Journal placed Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 464th overall. Forbes crowned IUPUI the 275th top value, 215th best public college, and 233rd best research institution.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Accreditation Details

On April 16, 2013, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis was formally notified by the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council that the Level VI accreditation status was extended through 2022-23 under its fifth chancellor, Dr. Nasser H. Paydar, who earned the Circle City Links Men of Excellence Award. Located 195 miles north via Route 421 in Chicago, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review IUPUI’s nine associate, 97 baccalaureate, 97 master’s, and 45 doctoral offerings. Further, the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) has accredited the Paul H. O’Neill School through Spring 2020.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Application Requirements

Entering Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 10,820 of the 13,339 Fall 2017 applicants were chosen for 81 percent acceptance. First-year Jaguars seeking the BSCJ in Public Safety Management should finish the Indiana Core 40 diploma or its out-of-state equivalent. Non-graduates with GED, TASC, or HiSET certificates are considered case-by-case. The Class of 2021 presented a mean secondary GPA of 3.39. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 440-560 for Reading and 450-570 for Math. Mid-range admitted ACT composite scores were 19-26. Direct O’Neill admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, 1080 SAT, or 21 ACT mark. Qualified transfers need 26+ non-remedial credits with postsecondary GPAs over 2.0. The MPA in Homeland Security & Emergency Management only admits bachelor’s grads from regionally accredited colleges. Preference is given for upper-division GPAs of 3.2 and higher. If lower, entrants need two years of experience or satisfactory test results. Acceptable score minimums are currently 300 GRE, 500 GMAT, and 150 LSAT.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis set freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Action and May 1st for Regular Decision. BSCJ in Public Safety Management transfers are welcome until May 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring. The Paul H. O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs has priority domestic deadlines of May 15th and November 15th. International MPA cohorts must file by March 1st or September 15th. Accordingly, complete the IUPUI or Common Application for $65. Forward official transcripts to Cavanaugh Hall Room 147 at 425 University Blvd. in Indianapolis, IN 46202. Send testing reports via SAT/GRE code 1325 or ACT code 1214. Attach supplemental materials, such as the resume or CV, three letters of recommendation, departmental questionnaire, and personal statement. Contact (317) 274-4591 or apply@iupui.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is charging in-state undergrads $9,701 annually. Non-resident BSCJ in Public Safety Management tuition is $30,710 each year. The Midwest Student Exchange Program drops rates to $13,991 yearly. Residing at the “Circle City” campus’ dorms like Ball Hall adds $2,457 to $5,427 for semester housing. All-access meal plans for Tower Dining Hall are $2,107 extra. IUPUI budgets $1,110 for books, $374 for travel, and $2,120 for personal expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals $23,305 in-state, $27,595 in the Midwest, and $44,314 out-of-state. The Graduate Office prices the MPA in Homeland Security & Emergency Management at $430 for Indianans and $1,138 for non-residents per credit. Studying full-time costs $4,381 to $10,751 each term.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Student Financial Services in Campus Center Room 250 connects 64 percent of full-time IUPUI Jaguars to tuition assistance averaging $10,594 each for $145.42 million combined. University funds include the Plater International Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholarship, Dean’s Recognition Scholarship, ELS Ambassador Award, Valedictorian Scholarship, Max Kade Graduate Fellowship, Sherry Queener Graduate Student Excellence Award, Adam Herbert Graduate Fellowship, John H. Edwards Fellowship, Passport to IUPUI Scholarship, Diversity Transfer Scholarship, and Honors College Scholarship. The Bepko Scholars Program covers full tuition with $2,500 stipends for freshmen meeting the 28 ACT or 1310 SAT minimum. The $15,000 Outstanding Scholar Award has a November 15th deadline for undergrads maintaining GPAs above 3.75. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001813. Indiana residents also access the Frank O’Bannon Grant, Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship, 21st Century Scholars Program, National Guard Supplemental Grant, Mark Kniese Scholarship, and more.

Learn more about Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis at the Paul H. O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs website.