Emergency Management
The emergency management major incorporates course diversity that provides the theoretical and practical knowledge essential to the effective practice of emergency management in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Emergency management is “a managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerabilities to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters” (Principles of Emergency Management, 2007).
The Program
The major prepares students for success as practitioners in emergency management as well as related fields. The rigor of the major also prepares students for graduate work. The major is ideally suited for students seeking emergency management as a career of their first choice. Student career success is built upon the following four program attributes:
1. Provide an educational foundation that supports graduates’ entry into different settings where emergency management is practiced (e.g., government at all levels; businesses; schools and colleges; healthcare industry; non-profit organizations; humanitarian efforts; etc.);
2. Support effective practice by providing an evidence-based focus on the research and science critical to the field;
3. Promote and foster experiential opportunities through focused class activities and required internships;
4. Develop skills necessary to the effective practice of emergency management (e.g., communication; analysis; collaboration; teamwork; leadership; critical thinking; problem-solving, etc.).
The Faculty
The Department of Emergency Management has five faculty members. Each faculty member possesses broad-based expertise in emergency management, as well as specialized expertise in their areas of practice and scholarly activity. The diversity in faculty interests, experience and expertise create a rich environment for students to learn, build relationships, and be mentored.
Center for Emergency Management Education and Research
The Center for Emergency Management Education and Research (CEMER) is located in the Department of Emergency Management. CEMER is focused on the advancement of discussion, teaching, and research in the area of emergency management education and research. CEMER provides space and support for research staff, presentations and educational seminars.
Curriculum Planning
Beyond the major, students are encouraged to plan a curriculum that provides them a broad general education. Emergency management is an interdisciplinary field that draws on the social, behavioral, natural and applied sciences. As such, students are encouraged in both general education course selection and in the selection of a minor (Bachelor of Science degree) or language (Bachelor of Arts degree) to select courses that help them to develop and advance their career goals. The Department provides a list of recommended general education courses that are complementary to the major to support student choices.
Internship Program
An internship is required for the major. Internships are typically completed in a student’s junior or senior year. The internship experience allows students to combine theoretical and applied aspects of emergency management. Internships are designed to meet each student’s career goals. As such, internship opportunities are as varied as students’ career goals and can include working in a variety of local, national or international settings. Internships are essential for student development and are a key factor in successful job placement.
Career Opportunities
An emergency management degree prepares students for career opportunities across all sectors, all industries and all locations. The emergency management function, while structured in a variety of ways in different government, private sector, and non-profit organizations, plays an essential role in maintaining safe and secure operations that protect the entity’s interests. Career opportunities in emergency management exist at all levels of government, across all government agencies, in all developing countries; private sector companies as both a site-based and corporate function; public schools and higher education institutions; hospital and healthcare facilities; non-profit organizations as part of a primary disaster mission or general operational mission; critical infrastructure industries; museums, malls, stadiums, and event centers; and other organizations or entities that manage facilities or services subject to hazards or operational interruptions that can result in harm to individuals, property or the organization.
Emergency Management Plan of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
First Year | |||||||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||||||
EMGT 101 Emergencies, Disasters, and Catastrophes | 3 | EMGT 261 or 263 Disaster Preparedness or Disaster Response | 3 | ||||||
ENGL 110 College Composition I | 4 | ENGL 120 College Composition II | 3 | ||||||
Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | Gen Ed Science & Technology w/ Lab | 4 | ||||||
Gen Ed Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | ||||||
Gen Ed Wellness | 2-3 | COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 | ||||||
| 15-16 |
| 16 | ||||||
Second Year | |||||||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits | ||||
EMGT 291 Seminar | 3 | EMGT 263 or 261 Disaster Response or Disaster Preparedness | 3 | EMGT 496 Field Experience | 6 | ||||
EMGT 262 or 264 Disaster Mitigation or Disaster Recovery | 3 | EMGT Elective | 3 |
| |||||
Gen Ed Science & Tech | 3 | Gen Ed Science & Technology | 3 |
| |||||
AHSS Humanities - College Requirement | 3 | AHSS Arts - College Requirement | 3 |
| |||||
AHSS Social Sciences - College Requirement | 3 | Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| |||||
| 15 |
| 15 |
| 6 | ||||
Third Year | |||||||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||||||
EMGT 264 or 262 Disaster Recovery or Disaster Mitigation | 3 | EMGT Elective | 3 | ||||||
Gen Ed Upper Level Writing | 3 | EMGT Elective | 3 | ||||||
Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 | ||||||
Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 | ||||||
Any Additional Elective or Additional EMGT Elective | 3 | Any Additional Elective or Additional EMGT Elective | 3 | ||||||
| 15 |
| 15 | ||||||
Fourth Year | |||||||||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||||||
EMGT Elective | 3 | EMGT 410 Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning (Capstone) | 3 | ||||||
EMGT Elective | 3 | Minor Course | 3 | ||||||
Minor Course | 3 | Any Additional Electives or Additional EMGT Electives | 6 | ||||||
Any Additional Electives / Additional EMGT Electives | 3 |
| |||||||
| 12 |
| 12 | ||||||
Total Credits: 121-122 | |||||||||
View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies
Minard Hall
Room 428
Minard Hall is located on the south end of campus on Albrecht Boulevard (Campus Map)
Contact Information
Emergency Management
NDSU Dept 2351,
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
DEPT EMAIL: ndsu.emgt@ndsu.edu
DEPT PHONE: 701-231-5595
DEPT WEBSITE: www.ndsu.edu/emgt/
or
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept #5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
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