The Emergency Management concentration consists of fifteen credit hours within the MPA curriculum. Students must fulfill the following requirements: 12 months of full-time continuous employment in a government agency, nonprofit organization, or appropriate business organization (or be currently enrolled in another graduate program). This requirement can be waived for students who already have a Master’s degree. 1-Students are required to take the following two courses:
Emergencies and disasters can strike at any time, from natural hazards like floods and wildfires, to manmade incidents like industrial accidents or terrorism. Being prepared to handle these crises effectively requires specialized training in emergency management. A graduate certificate in this field can help position you for leadership roles managing emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery.
I have researched two of the top programs offering a graduate certificate in emergency management – Arizona State University and the University of New England. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of these programs, common careers for grads, and reasons why a certificate can benefit both new students and working professionals.
What is Emergency Management?
Emergency management refers to the policies, procedures and personnel responsible for dealing with all types of crises. It aims to reduce the harmful effects of disasters through preparation and planning.
The four key phases of emergency management are:
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Mitigation – Preventing future emergencies or minimizing their impact through activities like building codes and zoning public education, and insurance incentives.
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Preparedness – Planning to respond when disasters do occur, such as preparedness plans, emergency exercises, warning systems, and stockpiling supplies.
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Response – Taking action during and right after a crisis to save lives and property, like evacuations, emergency shelter, search/rescue, and medical aid.
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Recovery – Returning a community to normal after an emergency, including temporary housing, infrastructure repair, healthcare, grants, and mental health services.
Effective emergency managers need skills in leadership, critical thinking, risk assessment, decision-making under pressure, and communicating risk. Graduate certificates help build these competencies.
ASU’s Emergency Management Graduate Certificate
Arizona State University offers a 15 credit online [Emergency Management Graduate Certificate] This program has a focus on resilience and communication for all-hazards and all-threats response
The curriculum covers:
- Foundations of Emergency Management
- Emergency Planning
- Risk Communications
- Disaster Response
- Plus one elective course
Many students choose the elective on leadership in public service, but other options include tribal emergency management, animals in disaster, and terrorism response.
Courses use interactive media, case studies, and emergency scenarios. ASU’s instructors have professional experience and include Fellows of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and American Psychological Association.
This certificate can help qualify students for leadership roles managing emergency operations centers, planning response networks, directing business continuity teams, training first responders, and more.
The graduate certificate does not provide FEMA certifications, but the skills gained will aid in obtaining credentials like the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM).
UNE’s Emergency Management Graduate Certificate
The University of New England’s [Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management] is a fully online program catering to healthcare professionals.
This certificate aims to build skills for coordinating emergency response in hospitals, clinics, and public health agencies. Its instructors are leading educators and practitioners in fields like health informatics, public health, and healthcare administration.
Required courses examine:
- Communication for Healthcare Leaders
- Public Health Aspects of Environmental and Occupational Health
- Healthcare Law and Ethics
- Principles of Emergency Management
One elective course must also be completed, with options such as healthcare finance, health policy, or population health.
UNE’s certificate incorporates FEMA training and certifications in the curriculum. Graduates can stack credits into a Master of Healthcare Administration degree.
In-Demand Careers with an Emergency Management Certificate
An emergency management graduate certificate can open doors to a wide range of careers, especially in public service fields. Common positions include:
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Emergency Management Directors – Manage government agencies responsible for emergency preparedness and response.
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Emergency Operations Center Managers – Oversee emergency command centers that coordinate multi-agency response.
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Business Continuity Planners – Develop emergency and continuity plans to help organizations recover from disruptions.
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Emergency Management Consultants – Advise clients on reducing risks and planning for disasters.
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Training Specialists – Develop and deliver preparedness education for first responders, government agencies, and community groups.
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Recovery Specialists – Help communities obtain disaster relief funding and rebuild after crises.
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Hazard Mitigation Planners – Craft strategies to prevent emergencies or limit impacts through zoning policies, building improvements, etc.
Why Earn an Emergency Management Graduate Certificate?
Pursuing a certificate in emergency management can benefit both new students looking to launch a career, as well as working professionals seeking to advance. Reasons to consider these accelerated programs include:
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Specialized skills – Gain targeted training in managing all aspects of crises, from preparation to recovery.
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Career advancement – Position yourself for leadership roles with stronger credentials.
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Flexible format – Complete courses fully online on a schedule-friendly timeline.
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Credits towards a master’s degree – Certificate credits may apply if you later pursue a full emergency management master’s program.
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Affordability – Certificates can cost less than master’s programs.
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Quick completion – Finish your certificate in as little as 8-12 months.
Get Prepared with a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management
Emergencies can strike anytime, anywhere. Earning a graduate certificate in emergency management helps ensure you have the specialized skills to handle these challenges.
ASU, UNE, and other leading universities offer accelerated certificate programs focused on response leadership. These credentials can help position graduates for advancement into management roles across homeland security, healthcare, government, business continuity and disaster management.
What emergency risks keep you up at night – wildfires, cyber attacks, pandemics or other threats? With focused training from an emergency management graduate certificate, you can be part of the solution in preparing for, and responding to, future crises.
2-Students must complete one of the following four courses:
- MPAD 6142 Grant Writing and Reporting (3)
- MPAD 6291 Homeland Security & Terrorism (3)
- MPAD 6292 Introduction to Disaster Management (3)
- GEOG 5190 Geographic Information Systems for Non-Majors (3) or GEOG 5120
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
3-Students must complete one of the following courses:
- MPAD 6128 Foundations of Public Policy (3)
- MPAD 6143 Administrative Law (3)
- MPAD 6160 Information Systems in Public Organizations (3)
- MPAD 6184 Urban Government and Politics (3)
- MPAD 6324 Financial Analysis for Nonprofit Organizations (3)
- MPAD 6330 Program Evaluation for the Public & Nonprofit Sectors (3)
- MPAD 6332 Project Management (3)
- GEOG 5130 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (3)
- CJUS 5103 International Criminal Justice
- CJUS 6120 Criminal Justice Mgmt & Decision Making (3)
- CJUS 6132 Legal Issues in Law Enforcement
- COMM 5102 Federal Interpretation of the First Amendment (3)
- COMM 6120 Communication and the Network Society (3)
- PSYC 6155 Community Psychology (3)
- ITIS 5250 Computer Forensics (3)
- CSLG 7680 Crisis Counseling (3)
Emergency Management Graduate Certificate Program
What is a graduate certificate in emergency and Disaster Management?
The graduate certificate in emergency and disaster management at American Military University (AMU) provides an understanding of what constitutes disaster. It also offers a glimpse into real-world emergency operations centers. Those preparing to seek emergency preparedness certification might find AMU’s online program helpful.
What is a graduate certificate in Emergency Management & Homeland Security?
The Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government addresses policy, planning, security, organizational, and management issues in the field of emergency preparedness and homeland security.
How do I get a graduate certificate in emergency management?
Applicants to the emergency management graduate certificate program must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they’ve earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree, in any field, from a regionally accredited institution.
How long is a graduate certificate in emergency management?
The Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management curriculum is 100% online and the flexible format is designed to fit into the lives of working professionals. All courses are graduate level and taught in eight-week terms (two terms per semester). The Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management is two semesters in length (~ eight months).
