utah-valley-university

Becoming an Emergency Manager at UVU

Utah Valley University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Emergency Management Degree Online Programs.

Since 2011, the College of Health & Public Service has housed the Emergency Services A.A.S. for Utah Valley University undergrads to develop the technical proficiency for community safety careers. Coordinated by Dr. Rodger Broomé, the 63-credit, two-year degree offers four emphases: Fire Officer, Emergency Medicine, Wildland Firefighter, or Aviation Fire Officer. Integrated courses, such as Fire Protection Hydraulics and Building Construction, are available in Orem or online at a 25:1 student-professor ratio.

The web-based Emergency Services Administration B.S. advances disaster leadership skills in two specializations: Emergency Care or Homeland Security. Directed by Dr. John Fisher, the 126-credit, IFSAC-accredited sequence provides median income of $62,282 after on-site or Canvas courses like Trauma Response.

Post-grads could continue for the 36-credit Public Service M.P.S. Online led by Dr. Thomas Sturtevant that unlocks upper-level government roles defending civilians. Other opportunities include adding the Fire Science Certificate, researching in the Institute of Emergency Services, engaging in the Jack Rabbit Project, interning at the Intermountain Center, taking the Difficult Airway Course, and attending Recruit Candidate Academy (RCA).

About Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University originated in 1941 when Hyrum E. Johnson opened the Central Utah Vocational School to aid World War II Allied force efforts. In 1952, the Utah Legislature appropriated $400,000 to build its first 13-acre Provo campus. During Wilson W. Sorensen’s tenure, it became the Utah Trade Technical Institute in 1963 and started the Associate of Applied Science in 1966. By March 1977, it dedicated the current 185-acre Wasatch Front campus in southwest Orem. Sixteen years later, it was renamed Utah Valley State College for new bachelor’s study. Given the 2001 Theodore M. Hesbergh Award, it officially reached university status on July 1, 2008, with its Master of Education. In 2020, the Utah Fire & Rescue Academy will celebrate its 60th anniversary too. Budgeting $235 million, Utah Valley University now attracts 37,282 Wolverines, including Emergency Services Administration B.S. majors, from 80 nations as a public AAC&U member.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Utah Valley in the West’s top 127 regional universities for 62 percent retention. On Niche, UVU boasts the 125th safest campus, 338th best student life, and 528th top location nationally. Times Higher Education placed Utah Valley University within its 800 best. College Factual noticed UVU for America’s 265th best emergency services program and 191st highest-paid grads. PayScale positioned Utah Valley 211th among two-year associate schools. Forbes named UVU 528th overall ahead of Hofstra and Kansas State. In Washington Monthly, Utah Valley University had the 71st best graduation rate and 199th top bachelor’s education. The Milken Institute crowned Orem the country’s #1 best performing city. The Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report also picked Utah Valley third.

Utah Valley University Accreditation Details

On January 24, 2018, Utah Valley University received a reaffirmation letter from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) to continue the Level III accreditation for 10 more years under its seventh president, Dr. Astrid Tuminez, a Council on Foreign Relations Fellow. Located 877 miles up Interstate 84 in Redmond, this nonprofit seven-state Pacific Northwest accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to test the effectiveness of UVU’s 72 associate, 84 baccalaureate, eight master’s, and 47 certificate offerings. In 2004, the Emergency Services Department received initial approval from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). The Emergency Services A.A.S.-Aviation Fire Officer emphasis also meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.

Utah Valley University Application Requirements

Admission to Utah Valley University is classified “non-competitive” by Peterson’s though just 10,376 of the 11,735 Fall 2017 applicants were victorious for 88 percent acceptance. First-year Wolverines howling at the Emergency Services A.A.S. simply need a secondary diploma or its GED equivalent. Freshmen under age 17 can quality for High School Concurrent Enrollment with a minimum SAT score of 1010. On average, undergrads present a 3.31 GPA and 22 ACT mark. Online Emergency Services Administration B.S. majors generally transfer 24+ non-remedial credits from accredited schools. Associate articulation agreements exist with Salt Lake Community College, Snow College, Dixie State College, and others. Military credits can also count with Joint Service Transcripts (JST) filed. Starting the Public Service M.P.S. stipulates a four-year bachelor’s in related majors, such as Emergency Services, Criminal Justice, and Homeland Security. The GRE-optional program needs a cumulative GPA above 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours.

Utah Valley University has rolling admission lasting until August 1st for Fall, December 1st for Spring, and April 1st for Summer entry. Non-U.S. and ESL students only have until May 15th, October 1st, and February 1st respectively. Master of Public Service cohorts apply from February 1st to May 31st. Enrolling in the Emergency Services Department requires filing the UVU Application online for $35 ($100 if international). Official transcripts from each previous school are mailed to 800 West University Parkway in Orem, UT 84058. Test scores are submitted with College Board code 4870. Supplemental items like the personal essay, two recommendations, résumé, affidavit of support, and medical records, including a TB test, are attached. Please contact (801) 863-7798 or emsa@uvu.edu for further instructions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Utah Valley University is charging full-time “Beehive State” undergrads $2,518 per term or $5,036 annually. Traditional non-residents pay $7,803 each semester or $15,606 by year. Mandatory semester fees total $345. Living at the Orem off-campus housing like Alpine Village adds $5,960 for room and board. UVU budgets $976 for textbooks and $3,398 for other essentials. Annual attendance equals roughly $15,986 in-state and $26,400 out-of-state. The Online Emergency Services Administration B.S. specifically costs $270 per credit or $34,020 total. The Public Service M.P.S. bills Utahans $441 and non-residents $1,021 per credit for $15,876 to $36,756 overall.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Browning Hall bestows $89.89 million combined for 46 percent of full-time UVU Wolverines to claw into packages averaging $5,686. University funds include the Brighton A Life Scholarship, Christensen Scholarship, CAL Executive Council Scholarship, Sterling Scholarship, David R. Keller Scholarship, Centennial Scholarship, Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Andrea Clarke Scholarship, and First Generation Student Scholarship. The Border Waiver waives non-resident tuition for Westerners within 100 highway miles. Emergency Services majors apply for the F.W. “Mac” McMullin First Responder Scholarship until February 1st. FAFSA forms coded 004027 are evaluated for Federal Pell and FSEOG Grant gifts. Estimated Family Contributions below $10,000 qualify for Federal Work-Study assignments. Along with Federal Direct loans, Public Service M.P.S. students could use the Graduate Plus Program. State-based assistance like the Utah Credit Union Scholarship, Regent’s Scholarship, and New Century Scholarship help too.

Find more about Utah Valley University at the Emergency Services Department website.