Emergency Management & Homeland Security

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

About this program

When emergencies strike, planning and preparation can make a world of difference. At Penn College, our Emergency Management & Homeland Security program focuses on real-world skills. The more you learn now, the better you’ll be prepared to act in the future. Gain practical skills to tackle all phases of emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes. Then put them to the test in mock crisis activities and other skill-building collaborative exercises.

FEDERAL & PA GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT

Federal employees, and employees of state and regional government agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are eligible for a 25% tuition discount.

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Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

17

Average Class Size

100%

Overall Placement

300

Hours of Field Experience

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)
  • Introduction to Sociology (SOC111)
  • The History & Evolution of Emergency Management (BEM103)
  • World History I (HIS116) or
  • World History II (HIS126)
  • Incident Command System Operations (BEM201)
  • Emergencies, Disasters & Catastrophes (BEM202)
  • Disaster Preparation & Planning (BEM210)
  • Crisis Communication (BEM221)
  • Disaster Recovery (BEM230)
  • Introduction to Homeland Security (BEM240)
  • Directed Emergency Management Elective (BEM)
  • Spatial Analysis in Emergency Management (BEM250)
  • Critical Infrastructure (BEM300)
  • Principles of Public Administration (PSC251)
  • International Relations (PSC261)
  • Social/Psychological Foundations of Emergency Management (BEM265)
  • Bioterrorism (BEM350)
  • Terrorism, Civil War & Genocide (PSC402)
  • Criminal Justice (HSJ263)
  • Technological Elements of Emergency Management (BEM311)
  • Research Methods (SOC313)
  • 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.

  • Introduction to Sociology (SOC111)
  • General Psychology (PSY111)
  • Introduction to Physical Geology (GEL105) or
  • Introduction to Forensic Science (SCI101) or
  • Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory (SCI102)
  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Research Methods (SOC313)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Math Elective (MTH151 or Higher) (MMM)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Business Statistics (MTH157)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
Featured Video

Rotorfest 2023

Check out Rotorfest 2023—an action-packed day ran by emergency management & homeland security students. The event included a lineup of emergency services helicopters, drones, and vehicles. 

Maker Profiles
KEMA Podcast

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.

Listen to David Bjorkman's Interview

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Emergency Operations Center
Facilities

Emergency Operations Center

Practice your planning tactics and response strategy in our on-campus training center.

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.

FEMA
PEMA
Lyco Logo
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Emergency Management Club

Emergency Management Club

Our Emergency Management Club promotes, fosters, and advocates for the professional development within the field of emergency management through trainings, conferences, and professional development opportunities within the emergency management community.

Student Organizations at Penn College

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.

Penn College News
03.28.2024

'Real-World Ready'

Jump right into “Real-World Ready,” the latest episode in Penn College’s Tomorrow Makers podcast series. From jumping out of an airplane to jumping into emergency response, the podcast hosts run the gamut in this lively conversation with Will Schlosser, emergency management and homeland security instructor. Just as fascinating as this unique career field are Will’s background and range of experiences, which have honed his adaptability and flexibility.

02.21.2024

WNEP-TV features emergency management initiative

Pennsylvania College of Technology's emergency management & homeland security major and its outreach to assist people with disabilities and emergency responders in Lycoming County was featured in a report on WNEP-TV Wednesday evening.

11.14.2023

Penn College offers perfect mix for grateful student-athlete

We're halfway through the 2023 "Give Thanks, Paw It Forward" initiative, overseen annually by the College Relations Office, offering a third iteration of a message that never goes out of fashion. Lend an ear to Colten C.B. Hajicek, an emergency management & homeland security student from Redmond, Washington, who found a cross-country home in his academic major and a family on the Wildcat lacrosse team.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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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.

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Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Mock crisis authentically adds to interdisciplinary preparedness

Mock crisis authentically adds to interdisciplinary preparedness

Penn College students joined area law enforcement, emergency management and healthcare professionals in a recent simulation at UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport Regional Medical Center and a variety of other locations.

Read More

More Information

This major requires that all major courses must be passed with a C or better.

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.

View general transfer information

Program supplies and books are available for purchase through The College Store.

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.

  • 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. Gaven Crosby, '17, Supervisory Program Manager, FEMA
  • Mr. William E Ebersole, JD, CPA, CFE, GISF, Security Compliance/Emergency Manager, Disney Cruise Line
  • Ms. Stacey Folk, '23, EMA Manager (Emergency Management Coordinator), Lycoming County Department of Public Safety
  • 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. David Pletz, Chief of Police & Director of Campus Safety, Penn College
  • Ms. Kelle B Robinson, County Emergency Management Coordinator, Lycoming County Department of Public Safety
  • Mr. Anthony N Subbio, CEM, PMP, MS, Emergency Management Specialist, Tetra Tech, Inc.
  • Mr. Jeff Wagner
  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair