Emergency Management Programs at Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Schools for an Emergency Management Degree.
Students interested in studying emergency management at Purdue University Global will choose from the Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management program or the Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management option. Students with interest in the emergency response to fire may enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Fire Science program or the Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science.
The bachelor’s degree program is designed for students who are already working in emergency services and who wish to update their knowledge regarding technology, fiscal responsibility, and human resource management. Students who already have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from a university can apply to the advanced start credit program where some degree requirements are waived for experienced students.
To earn a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, students must complete at least 180 quarter units. The bachelor’s degree program features seven program-specific outcomes that cover ethics, knowledge base, psychology, technology, research methods, operations, and global awareness. The degree plan for the degree in fire and emergency management features classes like Ethics for the Fire and Emergency Services, Emergency Management Response, and Community Risk Reduction for Fire and EMS.
Students interested in focusing on fire science will choose from the bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree program. The U.S. Fire Administration has recognized the bachelor’s degree program as one that follows the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education program model. The degree plan features the main topics of fire foundations, psychology, technology, research methods, and fire investigation & analysis.
The associate’s degree program in fire science is also recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration, and students must complete 90 quarter credit hours to complete their degree. Classes in the program include Principles of Emergency Services, Legal Aspects of Emergency Services, and an Associate’s Capstone in Fire Science class where the student will demonstrate knowledge gained in the program.
Students who already have a bachelor’s degree may want to consider the Master of Science program in emergency management that focuses on areas like leadership, business, social science, and criminal justice. Students must complete 55 credits to earn their graduate degree.
The graduate program in homeland security and emergency management allows students to enroll in no more than one class each quarter, and students who want to enroll in more than one class each term must obtain permission from the department. Classes in the program include Crisis Intervention, Critical Issues in Terrorism, and Planning & Operations in Crisis and Emergency Management.
About Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global is part of the Purdue University system with classes mainly offered to adults and through online study. The school offers many career-oriented degrees ranging from associate to doctoral degrees. The headquarters of the school is located in Chicago, but its main campus is in Indianapolis, Indiana. Students in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Chicago have access to local online support centers. Approximately 29,000 students attend the university.
The university’s history began as several distinct for-profit schools that were acquired over time by Purdue University in an attempt to reach a broader range of students through online education. The university has partnerships with Papa John’s Pizza and Wal-Mart where employees of those businesses can attend classes at Purdue for free. Students in the states of Maryland, Indiana, Maine, Nebraska, and a handful of other locations have access to physical locations for classes.
Purdue University Global Accreditation Details
The main accreditation agency for Purdue University Global is the Higher Learning Commission, and the university is also programmatically accredited by several other agencies. For example, the School of Business and Information Technology has seen its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology receive accreditation from the Computer Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Other organizations that have approved or accredited programs at Purdue University Global include the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the American Health Information Management Association. The Commission for Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs have also accredited programs at the school.
Purdue University Global Application Requirements
The admissions process for Purdue University Global begins with a conversation with an admissions counselor and completion of the information request form. The student can make an appointment to tour a physical location if he or she wants to attend classes at one of the school’s campuses. After speaking with an admissions counselor, a student will complete a formal interview.
Accepted students will read and sign an Enrollment Agreement, apply for financial aid, and sign a Master Promissory Note if they plan on taking out student loans for tuition costs. Students are encouraged to examine the Purdue Global Catalog for more information on the admissions process and the requirements of specific programs.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduates attending Purdue University Global will pay $371.00 per credit for most online programs but will pay $315.00 per credit for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program or $305 for the information technology and business programs. Students who choose to participate in the ExcelTrack program will pay $2,200 per term. Military service members and veterans will pay a reduced rate for tuition.
Students who enroll in online programs at the graduate level will pay a rate based on the program they enter. Business students pay $485 per credit, criminal justice students pay $420 per credit, and education majors pay $420 per credit. Students affiliated with the military will pay a reduced rate for graduate courses. The ExcelTrack program for graduate students is $1,550 per term for MBA students and $3,200 per term for Master of Science in Nursing students.
The financial aid process at Purdue University Global begins with the student’s submission of a FAFSA form. Students are encouraged to read the Getting Started With Financial Aid PDF that will help the student track their financial aid application process. The school code for Purdue University Global is 004586 and should be entered on the student’s financial aid application.
Some students may qualify for scholarships and may receive money based on academic merit, military status, or financial need. Students will speak with an admissions advisor for more information on possible scholarship aid and may speak with an onsite representative for Purdue University Global for full information on awards, discounts, and financial assistance.