Department Head: Dr. Tanveerul Islam
Brewer Hall 126
The Department of Emergency Management and Public Administration offers a 120-hour Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management with an eighteen (18) hour minor in Homeland Security, a twenty-one (21) hour minor in Public Safety Telecommunications, and a nine (9) hour microcredential in Cybersecurity. We also offer an eighteen (18) hour minor in Emergency Management for non-majors. The degree is designed to prepare students for careers related to emergency and disaster management in local, state, or federal government, business, and volunteer organizations.
- Emergency Management (Bachelor of Science)
- Emergency Management with a Minor in Public Safety Telecommunications (Bachelor of Science)
- Emergency Management Minor
- Homeland Security Minor
- Public Safety Telecommunications Minor
- Cybersecurity (Certificate and Microcredential)
- Economic Development Microcredential
- Public Administration Microcredential
Emergency Management
EM 301 Introduction to Disaster Management (3)
Overview of issues related to disaster management, including a history of the field, key legislation impacting the field, comprehensive emergency management and integrated emergency management, and current issues in the field.
EM 305 Introduction to Homeland Security (3)
An overview of the administrative, legislative, and operational elements of homeland security programs and processes, including a review of homeland security history, policies, and programs.
EM 309 Emergency Response to WMD Event (3)
This course will focus on the potential use of Weapons of Mass Destruction by terrorists and the proper preparedness and response by communities and jurisdictions. This course is appropriate for members of the emergency response community, emergency management, and members of the general population desiring knowledge about the real and ever-present danger of terrorist activity within the United States.
EM 321 Disaster Mitigation & Preparedness (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301.
Methods and techniques used to lessen the potential impact of disasters. Approaches related to policy, sustainability, public education, disaster exercises, programming, and the built environment are all considered.
EM 325 Management of Information Security and Forensics (3)
Study of information security and digital forensics using practical case studies. Emphasis is on developing security policies, security management and practices, utilization of digital forensic tools and techniques, risk management, security project management, and protection mechanisms. Major components of the course are hands-on projects on digital forensic investigation and security management case studies. CS 307 is cross-listed with EM 325, and only one course can be taken for credit.
EM 331 Populations at Risk (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301.
Documents and analyzes the social construction of vulnerabilities to disaster. Methods to reduce vulnerabilities and build local capacity are covered.
EM 341 Legal Fundamentals in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3)
Introduction to the legislative underpinnings of domestic homeland security and emergency management processes. Significant legislation will be reviewed with special consideration for the concepts that define legal duties and consequences for first responders and emergency managers.
EM 346 Emergency Medical Operations for CBRNE Incidents (3)
An in-depth study for emergency medical responders that focuses on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) incident management; treatment of victims of exposure to chemical, biological, and radiological hazards, as well as explosions. Hands-on training modules provide the emergency medical responder with the knowledge and skills to perform triage operations while in personal protective equipment (PPE) and to perform decontamination of victims. Students are required to complete the FEMA resident course PER-267 at the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
EM 347 Framework for Healthcare Emergency Management (3)
An in-depth study that provides healthcare personnel with a foundation of knowledge in healthcare emergency management. The course focuses on standards, regulations, and organizations affecting healthcare entities and the integration of government agencies and stakeholders; disaster preparedness planning; staffing and personnel; emergency management issues for healthcare; personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination; evacuation, isolation, and quarantine; ethical issues; financial issues; public affairs; and training, drills, and exercises. Students are required to complete the FEMA resident course AWR-900 at the Center of Domestic Preparedness.
EM 348 Hospital Emergency Response Training for Mass Casualty Incidents (3)
An in-depth study designed to provide medical operation guidance to healthcare professionals who may become involved in a mass casualty incident (MCI) as a result of a natural, accidental, or intentional event. The course focuses on safe and effective emergency medical response to MCI. Students are required to complete the FEMA resident course PER-902 at the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
EM 349 Radiological Emergency Response Operations (3)
An in-depth study of safe and effective response to radiological incidents. Topics include radiological concepts, radiological response team operations, commercial nuclear power facilities, plume modeling, radiological instrumentation, PPE and decontamination. Students are required to complete the FEMA resident course PER-904 at the Center for Domestic Preparedness.
EM 351 Introduction to Terrorism (3)
The history, methods, and philosophy of terrorism are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on extremism as a foundation for terrorist behavior, types of terrorism, and how governments, and law enforcement agencies respond to terrorism. Case studies of terrorist activities and implications of emergency response issues are highlighted.
EM 361 Hazardous Materials in Emergency Management (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301.
Examination of key legislation regarding storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials, and review of the emergency management community plans, responds, and recovers when hazardous material incidents occur.
EM 365 Public Information and Policy (3)
A review of the skills needed to effectively deal with the public and media before, during, and after an emergency event. Topics will include role and responsibilities of the Public Information Officer, understanding the roles and responsibilities of the media, conducting awareness campaigns, writing news releases, public speaking, granting interviews, media management, and dealing with high-profile incidents.
EM 366 Social Media in Emergency Management (3)
Overview of the history and evolution of social media in emergency management. Provides an understanding of social media and its uses in all aspects of emergency management. Students will conduct research of better practices and how to grow an agency's social media presence. Additional topics addressed will include: identifying challenges and how to overcome them, choosing the best social media avenues for an agency and topic, and using private sector practices to enhane public sector outreach and effectiveness.
EM 371 Public Administration, Policy, in Emergency Management (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301.
Focuses upon the role of local, state and federal government in time of disaster. A history of key legislation related to disasters and how it has impacted the emerging profession is provided.
EM 381 Social Dimensions of Disaster (3)
Open to all majors across the disciplines. Overview of how individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities, and countries handle disasters before, during, and after they occur.
EM 411 Disaster Response & Recovery (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301.
How people, groups, organizations, communities and governments manage disasters in the immediate aftermath and long-term recovery from their effects, including social, physical, business, and infrastructure problems as well as intra- and inter-organizational issues. CS 412 is cross-listed with EM 411, and only one course can be taken for credit.
EM 420 Exercise Design and Evaluation (3)
Introduction to the fundamentals of exercise design, development and implementation. Includes a review of the different types of exercises, how they are used, and how they are conducted. Provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and conduct disaster exercises that test a community's emergency response plan and capabilities.
EM 421 Medical Disaster and Emergency Management (3)
EM 435 Introduction to Cyberterrorism (3)
Introduction to the history and evolution of cyber terror, including a review of real and perceived threats of cyberterrorism, the protection of critical infrastructure information, and the effectiveness of response actions. Considerations will be made for the protection of sensitive and high value business and individual information and future requirements to obviate disaster.
EM 450 Management Systems in Disaster (3)
Integration of emergency functions, response structures, technology use, information management, and decision-making. The National Response Plan and the National Incident Management System will be addressed.
EM 451 Disaster Planning (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301.
Reviews and critiques actual plans and engages students in components of effective disaster planning within and across various jurisdictions.
EM 461 Critical Infrastructures (3)
Identifies what constitutes critical infrastructure including cyber as well as physical infrastructure. Evaluation of strategies for promoting vulnerability assessments and risk reduction, and protection of critical infrastructures are examined. CS 461 is cross-listed with EM 461, and only one course can be taken for credit.
EM 471 Emergency Management Capstone Course (WI) (3)
Prerequisite(s): Permission of Department.
Integrates prior coursework in an applied and experiential framework through case studies, exercises, applied research, and analytical activities. Should be taken in last term of program of study. (Writing Intensive Course)
EM 475 Current Issues in Homeland Security (3)
The examination of current issues and concerns with Homeland Security including upcoming National Special Security Events that mandate comprehensive security planning and response capabilities. Challenges of implementing and maintaining homeland security will be covered.
EM 481 Research in Disasters and Emergency Management (WI) (3)
Overview of how research is done and how to understand scholarly work including, reading, understanding, and applying studies from the field of disaster research. (Writing Intensive Course)
EM 483 Planning and Preparedness for Homeland Security (3)
Introduction to the process of assessing and enhancing preparedness for terrorism for organizations and communities. Topics include technical and organizational requirements, risk and vulnerability assessments, continuity of operations, communication and information management, capacity building needs, funding strategies, and recovery systems. Particular attention is given to coordination requirements for incident management for first responder agencies, healthcare systems, and public and private sector response systems.
EM 496 Directed Studies in Emergency Management (3)
Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor and department head.
EM 497 Internship in Emergency Management (3)
Prerequisite(s): EM 301 and approval of instructor and internship coordinator.
Provides direct experience and application of principles, concepts and theories acquired in coursework to a real world setting.
Public Administration
PA 200 Business, Government, and Society (3)
This course will highlight some of the key forces and drivers of change and behavior in society. The focus will be on how the private (business) and public (government) sectors interact with one another and with their social environments. PA 200 is cross-listed with PSC 200, and only one course may be taken for credit.
PA 210 Introduction to Public Administration (3)
Surveys the public administration literature. Examines the field's development and key concepts. Introduces core topics such as organizational theory and culture, bureaucratic structure, policy process, public finance, personnel policy, ethics, reform movements, managerial performance and accountability, and public sector drivers of local economic development. Public service values are emphasized. PA 210 is cross-listed with PSC 210, and only one course may be taken for credit.
PA 220 Introduction to Public Policy (3)
A survey of the functions and major programs of the United States federal government including federal taxes and spending, the regulation of business, national labor policy, public health and welfare programs, conservation and the environment, and national defense and foreign policy. PA 220 is cross-listed with PSC 220, and only one course may be taken for credit.
PA 330 Introduction to Economic Development (3)
This course will introduce students to the five cornerstones of economic development: organizational, product, market, business, and workforce. Students will learn how the five cornerstones of economic development relate and can support each other to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community. PA 330 is cross-listed with PSC 330, and only one course may be taken for credit.
PA 412 Intergovernmental Relations (3)
Public Safety Telecommunications
PST 110 Introduction to Public Safety Communications (3)
An introduction to telephone and radio communications skills, interpersonal communications, and basics of call handling, legal issues in public safety communications and technologies for the telecommunicator. This course will provide the information necessary to understand the job of a public safety telecommunicator and is the foundation to begin working in police, fire, EMS or combined service communications center.
PST 115 Emergency Medical Dispatching (3)
This course is designed to prepare the student to receive a call requesting assistance for emergency medical services (EMS) and allocate community resources in response to such request. Upon course completion, the student will be qualified to provide pre-arrival medical instructions to the caller, and post-dispatch information to the responding agencies.
PST 221 Role in Hostage Negotiations (3)
This course is designed to provide the sutdent with the principles required for critical thinking to deal with a hostage situation until a highly trained negotiator assumes control.
PST 311 Interpersonal Communications (3)
Introduction to the basic concepts of interpersonal communications and oral communications necessary for the public safety telecommunicator to interact with public safety personnel and citizens of the community. Techniques to overcoming barriers, achieving effective communications, handling difficult callers, listening effectively, and resolving conflicts will be addressed.
PST 312 Legal Issues in Public Safety Communication (3)
An overview of legal issues impacting the public safety communication and telecommunication industry. The course will present a series of case studies which present a rational prospective of the liability exposure of the public safety telecommunicator. The course shall provide the legal principles and processes that, when adhered to, should guide toward minimizing liability exposure.
PST 313 Introduction to Crisis Intervention (3)
The critical principles in support of crisis intervention and techniques for handling domestic violence, potential suicide, hostage, and civil unrest situations as a public safety communicator.
PST 314 Introduction to Weapons of Mass Destruction (3)
The basic principles needed to respond to a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) event. The course will present the role and responsibilities of the public safety telecommunicator in recognizing and dispatching assistance for aid while maintaining documentation of calls for assistance resulting from a WMD incident.
PST 323 Human Resource Management in Public Safety Communications (3)
An overview of Human Resource Management issues including principles of human resources, federal employee regulations, and Americans with Disabilities Act.
PST 325 Management Principles in Public Safety Communications (3)
An overview of basic management principles, including organizational theory, operational models, supervision, evaluations, and steps for effective leadership.
PST 328 Technical Writing for Public Safety Communicators (3)
An introduction to the basic concepts for professional writing. Emphasis on writing skills necessary for the preparation of standard operating procedures, training documents, and related materials.