Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Our Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) prepares students to manage and understand risk so that societies can live with natural and/or technological hazards. Students learn specific and applicable skills to properly manage the system of disasters through a four phase approach. This profession continues to grow as disasters and major emergencies become more frequent and costly, and as response continues to become more complex.

In addition, federal and state legislation has increased the demand at hospitals, business, industry, and all levels of government for well-educated individuals skilled in emergency planning and preparedness. Emergency Management is managing disasters for both public and private institutions, and the education to meet that need is HERE!

The University of Akron offers a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency management that is . . .

• the only Emergency Management and Homeland Security Bachelor of Science degree of this type available in Ohio.
• the FIRST accredited program in the country, and the third to be created in the country.
• the only Emergency Management and Homeland Security B.S. degree program accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress.

The University of Akron's Emergency Management and Homeland Security program is offered in various modes to fit your busy schedule. No matter what you do, one of our course deliveries are bound to fit:

• Totally online web classes with flexible schedules.
• Traditional face-to-face classes on Akron's campus.

The program has two pathways for admission. Students begin the degree as a first-year student in the traditional pathway. Included in this pathway is 15 credits of specialty coursework where students can have an EMHS program specialty or concentration. (If a student is attending The University of Akron/Summit County Sheriff's Police Academy and enrolls into the EMHS program, the Police Academy will count for the 15-credit specialty area upon completion of the academy and also will qualify the student for financial aid for the Police Academy.)

As a "Step-Up" degree, the program builds upon strong technical programs in the following disciplines:

• fire protection
• criminal justice.
• community services.
• environmental health and safety.
• emergency medical services.

The Core Curriculum covers a wide range of subjects:

• Disaster Vulnerability.
• Disaster Mitigation, Planning and Recovery.
• Terrorism.
• Hazard Science and Management.
• Crisis Leadership.
• Cyber Disaster Management.
• Disaster Research Methods.

Our faculty

Our faculty are nationally recognized in the following fields:

• Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
• Cyber Security and Digital Forensics.
• International Disaster Management.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction and Hazardous Materials Management.
• Climatology and Hazard Science.
• Crisis and Disaster Leadership.

Hands-on experience

Service learning is incorporated into coursework and joint projects with emergency management agencies, businesses, and schools. Students will have an opportunity to participate in hazard analysis projects, disaster research interviews, hazardous weather observations, and other practical classroom exercises.

Real-world experience

Students are required to gain practical professional experience with a senior internship. Participation provides students with first-hand, on-the-job experience in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Students are placed in areas of interest to connect academic learning to job employment and career opportunity.

Student organization

Many students majoring in this field have joined the campus chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers

Employment and wages

See employment and wage data for emergency management directors from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.