Emergency Management and Disaster Science

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Degree and Certificate Options:

  • Earn a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, a comprehensive degree that prepares you for a career in emergency services and administration.
  • Enhance your skills with minors in:
    • Emergency Management
    • Fire Service Management
    • Tribal Management and Emergency Services
    • or boost your credentials with an undergraduate certificate in Tribal Management and Emergency Services

Why Choose Our Program?

  • Developed by experts: Our program was created by an interdisciplinary team of faculty and community leaders from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a well-rounded education.
  • Relevant and in-demand: Our curriculum addresses the growing need for Emergency Management professionals in government, business, and non-profit sectors.
  • Prepare for a rewarding career: Gain the knowledge and skills to make a difference in emergency services, disaster response, and community resilience.
  • The curriculum developed is intended to provide an education that encompasses the broad array of knowledge and experience necessary to conduct emergency services and emergency administration, and to meet the demand for Emergency Management professionals at the federal, state, and local government levels, in the business community, and within the nonprofit organizations active in disasters.

The Mission of Emergency Management and Disaster Science is to:

  • Develop student talents, wisdom, and experiences in a supportive yet demanding academic environment that prepares them for a personally rewarding successful professional career in Emergency Management.
  • Initiate and lead superior research initiatives while supporting continuous improvements in efficiency, reliability, safety, and sustainability for provision of emergency services in the State of Nebraska and beyond.
  • Foster cooperative relationships with neighboring communities, state and federal agencies, and private enterprise through collaborative education, training, and service projects that enhance performance and productivity.
  • Set, preserve, and promote the utmost standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency through the teaching of and adherence to ethical conduct and open dialogue while ensuring good stewardship and management of program resources

Transfer Credit

Sixty-four credit hours from regionally accredited two-year institutions may be applied toward the degree. Twelve credit hours of American Council on Education (ACE) approved military credit may be applied toward electives in the BSEM degree. Credit from an institution that is not regionally accredited cannot be applied to the BSEM degree.

Fast Track

The School of Public Administration has developed a Fast-Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. Students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the Master's degree in Urban Studies, or the Master's degree in Public Administration.

  • Students should have senior status and must be within at least 30 undergraduate credits yet to complete their undergraduate degree. Exceptional students who do not meet this requirement may be considered.
  • Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
  • Students must complete the Fast-Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
  • Students will work with their undergraduate advisor and consult with the graduate advisor prior to enrollment in one of the courses listed below.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good standing.
  • Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
  • Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
    • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. 
    • For this program, if students maintain at least a grade of B+ in courses taken, they will be recommended for admission to the MSUS or MPA program.
    • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

The following MS in Urban Studies courses may be taken under the Fast-Track program:

  • BLST 8886, Seminar on Black Leadership
  • UBNS 8000, Seminar in Urban Studies
  • UBNS 8060, Introduction to Urban Planning
  • UBNS 8020, Race, Ethnicity and American Urban Culture**
  • UBNS 8200, Community Organizing and Development**
  • PA 8010, The Public Economy (Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in UBNS 8000)

The following MPA courses may be taken under the Fast-Track program:

  • PA 8050, Foundations of Public Service
  • PA 8090, Organizational Theory and Behavior
  • PA 8100, Advanced Management and Leadership for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Note: This course may only be taken if both PA 8050 and PA 8090 are completed).

Academic Advising

Academic Advising is provided for all students. The program recommends advising each semester to ensure degree completion. The academic advisor assists students with goal setting, degree planning, course scheduling, addressing any questions or concerns regarding major/minor, academic performance, and/or policies and procedures. The faculty in Emergency Management and Disaster Science are also available to speak with students regarding careers and mentoring. To contact an advisor, visit 114 CPACS, email unoemgt@unomaha.edu, or call 402.554.4900.

Student Group

Emergency Management Student Association

Contact

Emergency Management and Disaster Science is located in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service in room 114. The office can be reached by phone at 402.554.4900 or by email at unoemgt@unomaha.edu.

Website
 

Admissions

Readmit students and students wishing to transfer from another institution or department within the University of Nebraska must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Students with a GPA of 2.0 to 2.49 may be admitted to the Pre-Emergency Management program. Once students have achieved a 2.5 cumulative grade point average or better, they will be admitted to the BSEM program.

Degrees Offered

Minors Offered

Certificates Offered:

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Emergency Management is the profession of individuals who focus on helping communities prior to, during, and following natural and manmade disasters to minimize risk and vulnerability. Emergency Managers plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (tornadoes, floods) and manmade (technological, terrorism) disasters, as well as public health epidemics. Our program meets the demand for professionals at the federal, state, and local levels, and the business community.

Emergency Managers can work in many different industries including federal, state, county, and city governments, educational institutions, hospitals and public health agencies, nonprofits and community/international relief organizations, private industry, transportation, the military, and many others. 

  • Disaster Recovery Manager
  • Emergency Management Specialist
  • Emergency Management Coordinator
  • Emergency Preparedness Specialist
  • Emergency Response Coordinator
  • Emergency Services Director
  • Safety Manager
  • Public Information Officer

Aviation Administration

  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • Airport Security
  • Commercial Aviation Companies
  • Department of Transportation

Criminology and Criminal Justice

  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • Federal Agencies such as the FBI, ATF, DIA, DHS, etc.
  • Corrections
  • Homeland Security Officer
  • Security Director

Fire Service Management

  • City Firefighter
  • Wildland Firefighter
  • Commend Level Supervisor
  • Fire Prevention Specialist

Geospatial Science

  • Search and Rescue
  • GIS Administrator, Analyst, Coordinator, or Manager
  • Transportation Planner
  • Data Collection for Drones

Gerontology

  • Public Policy and Education
  • Hospitals, Nursing and Assisted Living Homes
  • Housing and Home Modification
  • Evacuation Specialist

Information Technology and Communication

  • Emergency Communication Specialist
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Information Security Director

Intelligence and Security

  • Intelligence Analyst
  • State, Federal and Local Government: FBI, CIA, DIA, DHS
  • Military Intelligence

Logistics Management

  • Logistics Engineer
  • Transportation Manager
  • Distribution Manager
  • Transportation companies

Natural Disasters

  • Environmental Protection Specialist
  • Urban/Regional Planner
  • Soil and Water Conservationist

Nonprofit Management

  • Volunteer Coordinator/Manager
  • Community Development Planner/Director
  • Grant/Fundraising Manager

Planning and Preparing for Urban Hazards

  • Urban/Regional Planner
  • Community Development Planner
  • Housing Department Specialist

Private Sector Management

  • Business Continuity Planner
  • Emergency Preparedness Planner
  • Media Communications Specialist

Public Administration and Management

  • City, Urban and Regional Planning
  • City/County Government
  • Policy/Budget Analyst
  • School/University Emergency Manager

Public Health

  • Public Health Preparedness
  • Community Health Education Specialist
  • Biopreparedness Coordinator
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Hospital/Public Health Administrators
  • Hospital Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Tribal Management and Emergency Services

  • Tribal Emergency Manager
  • Tribal Government
  • Tribal Law

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operator
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Management