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Emergency Management & Homeland Security
A wide variety of rewarding career options await graduates the emergency management & homeland security program.
Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Online
Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
About this program
From government and healthcare to non-profit and faith-based organizations, emergency management professionals keep us safe. At Penn College, you’ll explore what it takes to serve and protect in critical times. Whether it’s developing an action plan or facilitating a coordinated response, this flexible online program cultivates the practical real-world skills that tomorrow needs most.
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Careers
- Emergency management coordinator & specialist
- Emergency planner
- Public health preparedness worker
- Healthcare preparedness worker
- Private sector consultant
Courses
At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.
Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.
- Introduction to Emergency Management Operations (BEM101)
- The History and Evolution of Emergency Management (BEM103)
- Incident Command System Operations (BEM201)
- Emergencies, Disasters, and Catastrophes (BEM202)
- Disaster Preparation and Planning (BEM210)
- Crisis Communication (BEM221)
- Disaster Recovery (BEM230)
- Spatial Analysis in Emergency Management (BEM250)
- Social/Psychological Foundations of Emergency Management (BEM265)
- Technological Elements of Emergency Management (BEM311)
- Directed Emergency Management Elective (BEM)
- Emergency Management Internship (BEM450)
- Emergency Management Capstone (BEM495)
Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.
- First Year Experience (FYE101)
- Introduction to Sociology (SOC111)
- Math Elective (MTH151 or Higher) (MMM)
- Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (ANT113)
- General Psychology (PSY111)
- Introduction to Physical Geology (GEL105)
- Open Elective (OEA)
- State and Local Government (PSC141)
- Criminology (SOC242)
- American Government - National (PSC131)
- Principles of Public Administration (PSC251)
- International Relations (PSC261)
- U.S. Constitutional and Legal History (HIS335)
- Terrorism, Civil War and Genocide (PSC402)
- Criminal Justice (HSJ263)
- Science Elective (SCI)
- Research Methods (SOC313)
- Exploration Electives (OEE)
- Core Arts Perspective (ARP)
KEMA Podcast
Listen to David E. Bjorkman, instructor of emergency management/social science, as he discusses the program, career opportunities, the realistic disaster simulations in which students participate, and the overwhelming acceptance by veteran emergency managers.
Military Tuition Assistance
Thanks to the Military Tuition Assistance Program, more tomorrow makers can find their futures at Penn College. Through this special offering, qualified active military personnel are eligible to pursue college credits tuition free.
Industry Partners
Work with experts to become an expert
Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.
Online Degrees
Learning that fits your lifestyle
Convenience
- Accessible online anywhere in the world
- Flexible scheduling – take classes part-time or full-time
- Continue to work and be at home with your family
- Transfer-friendly programs shorten time to complete your degree
Value
- In-state tuition rate for all students, regardless of residency
- Same rigor as on-campus programs
Service
- One-on-one interaction with faculty
- 24/7 online tutoring
- Textbooks and course materials available for purchase online through The College Store
- Graduates can participate in Commencement
Class Delivery
- Classes delivered asynchronously through P.L.A.T.O., Penn College's Platform for Learning And Teaching Online
- No required campus visits
Related Programs
Follow your passion
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Paramedic Science
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Student Life
Stay active in and out of the classroom
Emergency Management Club
Our Emergency Management Club promotes, fosters, and advocates for professional development within the field of emergency management through training, conferences, and professional development opportunities within the emergency management community.
Student Organizations at Penn College
Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.
News
05.05.2020
Emergency management major anticipates surge in career field
Although the COVID-19 pandemic is upending the norm in most sectors of society, students and faculty in Pennsylvania College of ...
10.28.2019
College’s emergency management program ‘Wows’ podcast hosts
David E. Bjorkman, instructor of emergency management/social science at Penn College, was a recent guest on the Keystone ...
05.22.2019
Career Day sets middle schoolers’ sights on tomorrow
College employees rallied to provide nearly 40 educational sessions for middle schoolers from across the region who visited ...
Internship
Your knowledge in practice
Internships are key for career preparation. During the eighth and final semester, apply what you’ve learned in the real world working with an emergency preparedness, response, or recovery organization.
Student Experience
The community as their classroom
Silenced voices echo through survivor’s search for ‘normal’
Emergency Management Technology Online student Robyn Wolfe, a survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, recalls her experience while evaluating the reactions during and after the event.
More Information
Internal and external transfers may carry parallel major courses into the baccalaureate when the grades are 'C' or better. Transcripts should be submitted with the application for admission and will be evaluated by Registrar staff and by academic school staff. By its nature, prior work experience in emergency services, military, and other appropriate work backgrounds will be evaluated for transfer evaluation and placement in the major. The academic school dean and full-time faculty will evaluate credit for life experience for course work from applicants with non-credit training or work experience. Credits awarded for work/life experience will be posted to the applicant’s College transcript after successful completion of at least 12 credits at the College.
Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.
Visit the Alternative Credit Options page in our Course Catalog for general requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.
International students who are studying in the United States on an F-1 visa must be enrolled in a full course of study in-person. Students are not permitted to enroll in an entirely online degree. Online degrees are available to international students pursuing the degree from their home country. Students must still meet all admissions criteria for admission to the college and any special admissions requirements that govern pursuit of their chosen major.
- Mr. Thomas J Arminio, USN (Ret.), School of Public Affairs, Homeland Security Programs, Penn State Harrisburg
- Mr. Benton J Best, County Emergency Management Coordinator, Tioga County Emergency Management Agency
- Ms. Roseann B Cordelli, MPA, Communications Program Manager, Tetra Tech EMI
- Mr. John W Magyar II, CEM; MCAS; CHS-V, Senior Environmental Health & Safety Technician, Range Resources-Appalachia LLC
- Mr. Chris E Miller, Chief of Police, Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Mr. Anthony N Subbio, CEM, PMP, MS, Emergency Management Specialist, Tetra Tech, Inc.