Graduate programs

There are many options available for graduate study within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students may specialize in any one of the many master’s programs or doctoral programs.

Master of Arts and Master of Science programs

Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees are designed for the student who wishes to conduct advanced studies in a particular discipline. Generally the programs are flexible enough for students, with the aid of an adviser, to design a program of study that allows them to pursue their particular interest. The requirements of each discipline are listed under the departments that have the M.A./M.S. option available.

Doctoral Programs

Departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that offer doctoral programs include Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. The School of Earth, Environment, and Society also offers two doctoral programs. The doctoral degree is for the person who wants the most advanced academic degree, generally with a life-long objective of expanding the scope of knowledge of a specialized field of study. The specific requirements of each available option are listed under the participating departments and programs.

Emergency Management and Community Resilience (M.S.)

Emergency Management and Community Resilience Graduate Certificate

Emergency Management and Community Resilience courses

Emergency Management and Community Resilience M.S. (not currently accepting applications)

The Master of Science in Emergency Management and Community Resilience is designed to educate professionals in public, private, and nonprofit organizations whose jobs include responsibility for planning and organizing response to disasters, both natural and human made. The curriculum of this graduate program is designed at the intersections of scientific research, applied public policy, and effective crisis leadership—as well as at the crossroads of multiple disciplines and approaches to disaster and resilience. This transdisciplinary approach to understanding emergency management and community resilience offers a rich intellectual and applied basis for graduate study.

Core Course Requirements

Each student must enroll in and successfully complete six core courses as outlined below:

Core Courses:

EMCR 521/EES 521Anatomy and History of Disasters

4

EMCR 530/USP 530Building Community Resilience

4

EMCR 591/Anth 591Culture, Vulnerability and Disaster Resilience

4

Two of the following:

EMCR 535/PA 535Strategies for Organizing Recovery, Mitigation and Resilience

3

EMCR 545/Comm 545Risk and Strategic Communication

4

EMCR 560/USP 560Climate Resiliency Planning

3

EMCR 567/Geog 567Community Resilience in Coupled Socio-Ecological Systems

4

EMCR 587/PA 587Principles and Practices of Emergency Management

3

EMCR 588/PA 588International Perspectives on Disaster Management & Resilience

3

Capstone

EMCR 595Capstone Seminar in Emergency Management and Resilience

4

Skills and Methods Requirements

Students must take a minimum of two courses (6-8 credits) in Skills and Methods.

 

These courses focus on skills and methodologies that support varied careers within the emergency management profession, including research design, evaluation, communication and assessment, and qualitative and quantitative methods. A list of approved electives is available from the Program Director.

Field Specialization Requirements

Students in this program must take a minimum of three to four courses (12 credits) within one of the four Field Specializations:

 

  1. Natural Systems, Sustainability and Resilience

  2. Public Health Response and Promotion

  3. Organizational Strategies for Effective Emergency Management

  4. Social Resilience, Culture and Community

A list of approved electives is available from the Program Director.

Courses from the optional core course list that are not taken to meet the core course requirement may be taken to meet a Field Specialization Requirement.

Total Credit Hours: 45

Depending on the courses selected to meet program requirements, students may need to take between 1-5 additional credits to meet the required 45 credit hours. These additional credits may be taken from the list of Core Courses, Skills and Methods, or from the chosen Field Specialization.  Other courses may be substituted with the permission of the Program Director.