Masters degree in homeland security and emergency management

Analysis of concepts, methods, and procedures involved in managing public organizations. Problems of organization, planning, decision making, performance evaluation, and management of human resources are considered. Cases are drawn from a variety of public services found at federal, state, and local levels of government.

An examination of the role of public affairs professionals in policy processes. Focuses on relationships with political actors in various policy areas.

Learn about the fiscal role of government in a mixed economy, sources of public revenue and credit, administrative, political, and institutional aspects of the budget, the budgetary process, and problems and trends in intergovernmental fiscal relations.

The identification and management of criminal justice and public safety crises. Issues of psychological and behavioral responses to crisis, mitigation, contingency and response plans, coordination with governmental, nonprofit agencies and private corporations, crisis decision-making, communication, infrastructure and proactive planning. Practical crisis management techniques for use in public safety.

An examination of theoretical foundations of risk analysis including the history of risk analysis, risk assessment, perception and communications; models for decision-making, techniques for generating alternative courses of action and definitions of risk and opportunity within a context of local, state and federal regulatory guidelines, media and social context.

This course addresses federal policy and management issues related to preventing, mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from major catastrophic events; both natural and man-made, including acts of terrorism. Topics include emergency management, resource and response infrastructures, public health issues, best practices, crisis communications, and business and governmental continuity.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management students will also take two 3-credit-hour electives to complete the degree requirements.

Prepare to Avert and Manage U.S. Disasters

Each year, a growing number of disasters and deliberate attacks occur within the U.S. that result in hundreds of thousands of Americans being affected and billions of dollars in economic damages.

The Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security program at UAlbany will provide you the education and training to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate against these types of crises.

With core curriculum in both emergency management and homeland security, as well as the ability to specialize in a concentration area, you will have a competitive advantage for roles in consulting, analysis, business continuity, non-governmental organizations and higher education.

You can complete this degree on campus or online through synchronous, simulcast course lectures.

Program of Study

programofstudy

The MS in Emergency Management and Homeland Security program encompasses fundamental principles including identifying stakeholders, studying past incidents and research, evaluating governance and ethics, and designing appropriate solutions.

You can choose to specialize in either the Emergency Management or the Homeland Security track.

36 credits as follows:

Core Courses (9 credits)

Fundamentals of Emergency Management
Fundamentals of Homeland Security
Research Methods

Methods (3 credits)

Choose one:

Quantitative Methods
Qualitative Methods
Professional Analytical Skills

Tracks (6 credits)

Choose Emergency Management OR Homeland Security:

Emergency Management

Preparedness and Response
Mitigation and Recovery

Homeland Security

Terrorism and Counterterrorism AND
Homeland Security Risk

Political Violence, Insurgency, and Terrorism AND
Homeland Security Risk Analysis and Risk Management

Electives (6 credits)

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

Choose one:

Practicum
Master’s thesis

Concentrations (9 credits)

Choose Security Risk Analysis OR Planning and Coordination:

Security Risk Analysis

Advanced Threat and Hazard Assessment
Homeland Security Intelligence
Risk Theory and Management

Planning and Coordination

Planning, Risk, and Continuity
Governance and Stakeholders in Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Crises & Vulnerable Populations

Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Research

You will learn and evaluate both quantitative and qualitative research methods with examples drawn from emergency preparedness, homeland security and cybersecurity. Courses will explore data collection, analysis techniques, research ethics and objective reporting.

Working collaboratively with researchers from diverse backgrounds, you will find solutions to address emergency and security challenges by analyzing theories and research findings, as well as by using private, governmental and non-governmental resources.

ms-emhs-research

Career Outcomes

With a master’s in emergency management and homeland security, you will be prepared to address crises in public, private and non-profit sectors including non-governmental organizations and higher education.

Potential job titles for an MS degree in emergency management and homeland security: