MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The market for emergency management personnel is on the brink of exponential expansion. One reason why: The field is emerging as an independent profession that offers the promise of increased identity, prestige, and monetary benefits for those holding degrees in the discipline.

Student using radio during drill

When emergencies arise, you’ll be prepared to lead

The Master of Science in Emergency Management prepares you to plan, respond, and lead in times of crisis. Whether facing natural disasters, public health emergencies, or complex security threats, you’ll gain the skills to protect communities and make critical decisions under pressure.

Learn from experienced professional in local, state, and federal emergency management, who have experience coordinating and collaborating with public, non-profit, and corporate partners to effectively plan for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.

Students will learn:

  • The scale and scope of emergency and disaster management as a growing professional field.
  • Strategies for community resilience when facing emergencies and disasters.
  • Human behavior during disasters and its effects on communities and social systems.
  • Critical intersections of national and social systems for hazard mitigation.
  • Policies and practices that shape planning, response, and recovery.
  • How to create an effective organization and disaster management structure for multiple types of incidents.

Why Choose the University of New Haven?

  • Flexible Online and On Campus Learning
    Complete your degree fully online, on campus, or through a combination of both formats. Courses are designed to support working professionals with flexible scheduling and accelerated terms.
  • Complete Your Degree in as Little as 13 Months
    The program consists of 36 total graduate credits and can be completed in as little as 13 months with full-time study.
  • No GRE or GMAT Required
    Applying is simple. The University of New Haven does not require GRE or GMAT scores for admission into the Emergency Management master’s program.
  • Public Safety Personnel Receive a 50% Tuition Discount
    The University proudly supports those who serve their communities. Eligible public safety professionals including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and dispatchers may qualify for a 50% graduate tuition discount. See more about tution discounts.

 

  • Designed for Working Professionals – online asynchronous coursework available, accelerated 6 to 7.5 weeks terms, full-time and part-time pathways available
  • Build your own focus – 8 required courses (24 credits) plus four courses (12 credits) taken as unrestrictive electives. Example Focus Options available in:
    • Fire Administration
    • Healthcare Management
    • National Security
    • Environmental Science
    • Public Administration

Learn From Industry Experts

As part of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, students gain access to faculty with both academic and real-world emergency management experience. Coursework integrates FEMA-aligned practices, disaster preparedness, crisis response, hazard mitigation, recovery planning, and emergency leadership.

Rachel Dowty-BeechMEET THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR

QUICK FACTS

  • Total Credits: 36
  • Complete in as little as 13 months (full-time students)
  • Public Safety Personnel 50% discount
  • Course formats: Online, On-campus, Hybrid options available
  • No GRE/GMAT requirements

Designated for Working Professionals

The program was built with flexibility in mind:

  • Online asynchronous coursework available
  • Accelerated 6 to 7.5-week terms
  • Minimum one course per term option
  • Full-time and part-time pathways available
  • Learn while continuing your career in public safety, government, healthcare, military service, or emergency response
  • On-Campus courses taught in the evening

Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$116K

Personal Services Manager

7% Growth 2021-2030

$93K

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

5% Growth 2021-2030

$76K

Emergency Management Directors

3% Growth 2021-2030

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in:

Career paths may include

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

Learn More

Selected Courses and Programs

This course focuses on the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of the emergency management profession and the principles that define effective practice. The objective is to stimulate discussion of the core values that underlie emergency management practice in a democratic society and that are essential elements in emergency management professional education.
This course will provide the student with an understanding of the principles and practice of hazard mitigation in the United States at the local, state, regional, and federal levels of governance, emphasizing the importance of avoiding or preventing future and recurring losses of life and damage to public and private property. Based on this understanding, a further objective of the course is to familiarize students with the tools, techniques, resources, programs, intergovernmental relationships, and broader social context involved in planning for and implementing hazard mitigation. Case studies, exercises, and discussions will be used to encourage critical review of the philosophy and principles of emergency management.
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to describe and discuss the characteristics of catastrophic events and the differences in strategies, techniques, and tools that are needed to prepare for and coordinate the response to catastrophes as compared to the disasters that form the core assumption of most modern emergency management work. This course is designed to help students step into a leadership role in catastrophe readiness and response. Case studies, exercises, and discussions will be used to encourage critical review of the philosophy and principles of emergency management.
This course will educate students about sustainable disaster recovery, including the principles, concepts, processes and practice currently used in the United States. The course is designed to rely heavily on the use of case studies to clarify course objectives and explain recovery topics. Case studies, taken from across the country and addressing different hazards, will emphasize both examples of effective and ineffective recovery strategies.
This course will provide an overview of empirical vs. theoretical approaches; human behavior in disaster, myths and reality; group disaster behavior; community social systems and disaster; cultures, demographics, and disaster behavior distinctions, and model-building in sociological disaster research.
This course will provide a study of the effective organization and management of emergency resources at various fire and large-scale emergency incidents. Includes a review of national standards and federal regulations impacting emergency incident management.

Students will complete either:

Emergency Management Thesis Proposal and Research and
Emergency Management Thesis Writing and Defense
Students develop a thesis proposal is under the direction of the supervisor; the written thesis project and an oral thesis final exam will be completed in accordance with the university’s “Dissertation and Thesis Manual”, 2nd edition.

OR

Emergency Management Research Project
This course will provide the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills studied during the emergency management program by an exercise in accordance with the university’s “Dissertation and Thesis Manual”, 2nd edition.

And

Strategic Planning for Public Safety Leaders
This course will examine the application of systematic long range or “master” planning in determining the types and levels of community fire and emergency medical services. As part of this course each student will develop a strategic plan for a public safety organization using one of the commonly accepted approaches to strategic planning in the public domain.

The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Masters of Science in Emergency Management, check out the Academic Catalog:

Emergency Management, M.S.

Emergency Management Certificate

Core Topics Covered

  • Emergency Management Foundations
    Build a strong understanding of the principles, frameworks, and structure of modern emergency management systems.
  • Hazard Mitigation and Risk Reduction
    Learn strategies to identify risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and strengthen community resilience before disasters occur.
  • Disaster Preparedness and Response
    Develop the skills to plan for, manage, and respond effectively to emergencies and large-scale catastrophic events.
  • Incident Management and Operations
    Gain practical knowledge of coordinating emergency response efforts, including multi-agency collaboration and incident command systems.
  • Disaster Recovery and Sustainability
    Explore long-term recovery strategies that support rebuilding stronger, more resilient, and sustainable communities.
  • Social and Human Dimensions of Disasters
    Examine how disasters impact individuals and communities, including social, behavioral, and equity considerations.
  • Research and Strategic Leadership
    Apply your knowledge through either a thesis or a practical research project, with a focus on strategic planning, leadership, and real-world problem solving in public safety.

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Meet Our Faculty

 

A Nationally Recognized Program

The University of New Haven is recognized as one of the first universities in the United States to develop a fully online Emergency Management graduate program aligned with FEMA higher education guidelines.

Students benefit from a collaborative learning environment that blends theory, applied practice, and leadership development to prepare graduates for today’s rapidly evolving emergency management landscape.

Awards & Recognition

U.S. News and World Report

U.S. News and World Report

Military Friendly School gold badge

Military Friendly Award

Colleges of Distinction

Colleges of Distinction

 

Upcoming Graduate School Events

More Graduate Events

News

Read More News

Next Steps

An advanced degree from the University of New Haven will help you take your career to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities.

View Application Requirements

The University of New Haven Graduate School is an excellent value with reasonable tuition. Of course, you will still have bills to pay and the Financial Aid office can help.

Financial Aid Website

WANT MORE INFO?

Find out more about why the University of New Haven is a great fit for you. Our admissions team will contact you with information personalized to your interests.

REQUEST INFORMATION

VISIT

A campus visit is one of the most important parts of the college selection process. Come feel what it's like to Be a Charger!

Experience Campus

APPLY

With more than 74,000 alumni and more than 100 years of history, #ChargerNation is the place to be. Begin Your Journey today.

Start Your Application