Collage photo of a highway with alternate postings of directions

Undergraduate Programs

Certificate in Risk and Emergency Management

The certificate in Risk and Emergency Management (21 credit hours) will inform and enhance the knowledge base and skills level of those who are responsible for managing risks and emergencies. It is recommended for students from any major that, during their careers, may directly or indirectly be involved in managing emergencies and disasters. Students need not be enrolled in a degree program to complete this certificate. A grade point average of 2.0 or higher is required in all course work credited toward the certificate.
Below are some examples of career paths and/or majors in which students will benefit from this certificate:

  • Homeland Security
  • Emergency Management
  • Public Health Agencies
  • Hospital staff and Administration
  • Firefighters
  • Emergency Medical Technicians
  • Law Enforcement
  • Corporate Safety and Security
  • Corrections
  • Human Resource Personnel
  • Federal, State, and Local Government
  • Public Venue Managers
  • Sociologists
  • Psychologists
  • Journalism
  • Communication
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Nursing
  • Computer Science
  • Political Science
Course Number Course Title Credit

V275

Introduction to Emergency Management

3

V387

Public Administration and Emergency Management

3

V389

Risk and Hazard Mitigation

3

HSC 499

Public Health Management of Disasters

3

CS 292

(SPEA V465, GIS Mapping, may be substituted)

Technology and Emergency Management

3

SOC S410
(SPEA J370, The Social and Mental Health Dimensions of Disasters, may be substituted)

 

The Social Dimension of Disasters

3

POLS Y200/Y401

Terrorism and Tyranny

3

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SPEA V275-Introduction to Emergency Management
An examination of the background and nature of the profession, the central theoretical debates concerning natural and human-induced disasters, mitigating and reacting to these catastrophic events, and the major roles and responsibilities of emergency managers. Current practical problems and future directions will be explored.

SPEA V387-Public Administration and Emergency Management
An examination of the American federal system and how it affects policy making and emergency management. Topics include government programs, participation of agencies and actors from all three levels of government, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector. Administrative processes involved in managing major hazards and disasters will be presented.

SPEA V389-Risk and Hazard Mitigation
An examination of the principles and practice of risk and hazard mitigation at all levels of government and private industry. The tools, techniques, resources, programs, intergovernmental relationships, public-private partnerships, and the broader social context involved in planning for organizational and business continuity and implementing risk reduction strategies are covered.

HSC 499-Public Health Management of Disasters.
 This course addresses the role of public health in disaster preparedness and management. It will include discussion of concepts in basic science, human responses to injury and illness, public health systems, and policy. Major topics include types of disasters and their consequences; the role of public health systems in disasters; hazard assessment and community vulnerability analysis; data collection and evaluation; communications; system design, planning, and management; and mental health and environmental health issues in disasters. Practical applications of the concepts developed will be emphasized, as will both the similarities and differences between domestic and foreign disaster management.

CS 492-Technology and Emergency Management
The application of technology to emergency management will be explored. Examples of current and emerging technology applications will be illustrated along with an explanation of critical issues that are a part of the technology application. Special issues and problems associated with the use of technology in emergency management will be examined. Strategies to overcome these issues and problems will be examined.

SPEA V465 - GIS Mapping
(Familiarity with Windows XP is required) Students will learn the concepts, methodologies, and perspectives essential for using geographic information systems (GIS) to address critical public affairs issues. Through course projects, students will learn how to use desktop and internet-based GIS applications and will develop complementary skills related to designing and implementing GIS applications for public-sector organizations.

SOC S410-The Social Dimensions of Disasters
An introduction to current research pertaining to the social dimensions of disasters. A study of how collective and mass groups, and individual humans respond to disaster. The potential consequences and difficulties for communities and emergency management will be examined.

SPEA J370 - The Social and Mental Health Dimensions of Disasters
This is a study of the social and mental health dimensions of disasters and how individuals and groups react to traumatic events. The consequences for communities and emergency management will be examined.

POLS Y200/Y401- Terrorism and Tyranny
This course provides an analysis of historical, current, and potential future acts of foreign and domestic terrorism. The student will analyze the threat and effect of terrorism on a variety of national communities and the international implications. The course will also deal with the threat from weapons of mass destruction and will consider and evaluate counter-terrorism strategies that have been used or suggested.