{"id":17545,"date":"2026-01-15T16:15:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T22:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=17545"},"modified":"2026-04-17T08:40:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:40:07","slug":"emergency-management","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/emergency-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency Management"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border: 1px solid #e0c200; background: #fff8cc; padding: 14px 16px; border-radius: 12px; margin: 16px auto; color: #1a1a1a; text-align: center; max-width: 800px;\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> This major is launching in <strong>Fall 2026<\/strong>.<\/div>\n<p>When disaster strikes, communities need leaders who can act \u2014 people trained to coordinate emergency response, protect critical infrastructure, and keep others safe under pressure. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management at Southern Arkansas University prepares you for that role.<\/p>\n<p>The program is designed for two kinds of students: new undergraduates who want to build a career in homeland security, emergency management, or public safety leadership; and working professionals in fire service, law enforcement, EMS, or the military who are ready to move into leadership, administration, or policy roles and need a bachelor&#8217;s degree to get there.<\/p>\n<h3>Topics Covered<\/h3>\n<p>Coursework blends theory with hands-on application across the major subject areas of modern emergency management:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Incident Command and Incident Management<\/strong> \u2014 the national ICS framework used by federal, state, and local responders to coordinate during disasters and large-scale emergencies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Homeland Security and Counterterrorism<\/strong> \u2014 domestic security policy, threat assessment, and the study of terrorism.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Critical Infrastructure Protection<\/strong> \u2014 safeguarding energy, water, transportation, communications, and public health systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Technology in Emergency Management<\/strong> \u2014 GIS, crisis communications, cybersecurity, and emergent technology applied to disaster response.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cyber Crime and Cybersecurity<\/strong> \u2014 investigation and prevention of digital threats that intersect with public safety.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ethics, Law, and Multiculturalism<\/strong> \u2014 the legal, ethical, and cross-cultural foundations of public safety leadership.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Careers<\/h3>\n<p>Graduates of the Emergency Management program are prepared for roles including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emergency Management Director or Coordinator<\/li>\n<li>Emergency Preparedness Specialist<\/li>\n<li>Disaster Response and Recovery Officer<\/li>\n<li>Homeland Security Analyst<\/li>\n<li>Command leadership in fire service, law enforcement, and EMS \u2014 Chief, Captain, Battalion Commander, Shift Commander<\/li>\n<li>Critical Infrastructure Protection Specialist<\/li>\n<li>Incident Commander within the Incident Command System used during disasters and large-scale emergencies<\/li>\n<li>Business Continuity Planner<\/li>\n<li>Federal, state, and local emergency management agency staff<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Examples of the kinds of organizations that employ emergency management graduates include federal agencies such as FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security; state-level offices such as the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management; county and municipal emergency management departments; hospital and healthcare system emergency planning teams; school district and university safety offices; and private-sector disaster response and risk management firms. Demand is projected to grow as climate-driven disasters, cybersecurity incidents, and infrastructure risks continue to rise.<\/p>\n<h3>Who This Program Is For<\/h3>\n<p>The program is a strong fit for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Students entering college straight from high school with an interest in public safety, homeland security, or government service<\/li>\n<li>Adult learners and career-changers who already hold credentials or associate degrees in related fields and want to complete a bachelor&#8217;s to advance<\/li>\n<li>Military veterans transitioning to civilian emergency management or public safety leadership roles<\/li>\n<li>Working professionals in fire, police, or EMS seeking the degree required for promotion to chief, captain, or command-level positions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Consider this program if you want to lead emergency response and recovery operations at the community, state, or federal level; work in homeland security, counterterrorism policy, or critical infrastructure protection; transition from an active first-responder role into administrative or command leadership; or prepare for a graduate degree in public administration, homeland security, or a related field.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Important: This major is launching in Fall 2026. When disaster strikes, communities need leaders who can act \u2014 people trained to coordinate emergency response, protect critical infrastructure, and keep others safe under pressure. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management at Southern Arkansas University prepares you for that role. The program is designed for two&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/emergency-management\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":17546,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"Emergency Management Degree | Southern Arkansas University","_genesis_description":"Earn a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management at SAU. Launching Fall 2026. Prepare for careers in homeland security, disaster response, and public safety leadership.","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management \u2014 Launching Fall 2026","_open_graph_description":"SAU's new Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management prepares students and career-changers for leadership roles in homeland security, disaster response, and public safety. Transfer-friendly for fire, EMS, and law enforcement professionals.","_twitter_title":"Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management \u2014 Launching Fall 2026","_twitter_description":"SAU's new Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management prepares students and career-changers for leadership roles in homeland security, disaster response, and public safety. Transfer-friendly for fire, EMS, and law enforcement professionals.","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[311,18304],"delivery":[255],"types":[28850],"class_list":{"0":"post-17545","1":"program","2":"type-program","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"college_department-behavioral-and-social-sciences","8":"college_department-college-of-liberal-and-performing-arts","9":"delivery-on-campus","10":"types-undergraduate","11":"entry"},"acf":{"department_college":"<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/lpa\/depts\/bss\/\">Behavioral &amp; Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/lpa\">College of Liberal &amp; Performing Arts<\/a>","Number_of_Hours":"120","Catalog Entry":"<h4>University Requirement (2 hours)<\/h4>\r\nGSTD 1002 - Freshman Seminar\r\n<h4>General Education (32 hours)<\/h4>\r\n<h4>English (6 hours)<\/h4>\r\nENGL 1113 - Composition I\r\nENGL 1123 - Composition II\r\n<h4>Fine Arts\/Humanities (9 Hours)<\/h4>\r\n<h4>World Literature (3 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nENGL 2213 - World Literature I\r\nENGL 2223 - World Literature II\r\nPHIL 2403 - Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics\r\n<h4>Fine Arts\/Humanities Choice (6 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nART 1103 - Introduction to Game Development\r\nART 2013 - Art Appreciation\r\nENGL 2213 - World Literature I\r\nENGL 2223 - World Literature II\r\nHUM 2003 - Film Appreciation\r\nHUM 2103 - Social Media in Society\r\nMUS 2003 - History of Rock Music\r\nMUS 2013 - Music Appreciation\r\nMUS 2023 - Music and Culture of Africa and its Diaspora\r\nPHIL 2403 - Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics\r\nTHEA 2003 - Theatre Appreciation\r\nTHEA 2633 - Fundamentals of Acting\r\n<h4>3 Hours Foreign Language<\/h4>\r\nCHIN 1003 - Mandarin Chinese I\r\nCHIN 1013 - Mandarin Chinese II\r\nFREN 1053 - Elementary French I\r\nFREN 1063 - Elementary French II\r\nSPAN 1053 - Elementary Spanish I\r\nSPAN 1063 - Elementary Spanish II\r\n<h4>Mathematics (3 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nMATH 1053 - Mathematical Literacy\r\nMATH 1023 - College Algebra\r\nMATH 1045 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics\r\nMATH 1525 - Calculus I\r\nMATH 2123 - Applied Calculus for Technology\r\nMATH 2124 - Applied Calculus\r\n<h4>Science (8 hours)<\/h4>\r\n<h4>Biological Science Choice (4 Hours<\/h4>\r\nBIOL 1043 - Introduction to Biology and\r\nBIOL 1041 - Introduction to Biology Lab\r\nOr\r\nBIOL 1203 - Principles of Biology I and\r\nBIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology I Lab\r\n<h4>Physical Science Choice (4 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nCHEM 1013 - College Chemistry I and\r\nCHEM 1011 - College Chemistry I Lab\r\nOr\r\nCHEM 1023 - University Chemistry I and\r\nCHEM 1021 - University Chemistry I Lab\r\nOr\r\nCHEM 1133 - Chemistry in Society and\r\nCHEM 1131 - Chemistry in Society Lab\r\nOr\r\nPHYS 1133 - Physics in Society and\r\nPHYS 1131 - Physics in Society Lab\r\nOr\r\nPHYS 2003 - College Physics I and\r\nPHYS 2001 - College Physics I Lab\r\nOr\r\nPHYS 2133 - Astronomy and\r\nPHYS 2131 - Astronomy Lab\r\nOr\r\nPHYS 2203 - University Physics I and\r\nPHYS 2201 - University Physics I Lab\r\n<h4>Social Science (6 Hours) \u2013 3 hours of social science are included in the major<\/h4>\r\n<h4>World History Choice (3 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nHIST 1003 - World History I\r\nHIST 1013 - World History II\r\n<h4>U.S. History (3 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nHIST 2013 - United States History I\r\nHIST 2023 - United States History II\r\n<h4>Emergency Management and Homeland Security (45 Hours)<\/h4>\r\n<h4>Required (33 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nCRJU\/EMGT 2023 - Introduction to Emergency Management\r\nCRJU 3003 - Multiculturalism\r\nCRJU 3033 - Criminal Investigations\r\nCRJU 3103 - Ethics in Criminal Justice\r\nCRJU\/EMGT 3193 - Technology in Emergency Management\r\nCRJU 3233 - Cyber Crime\r\nCRJU\/EMGT 4113 - Study of Terrorism\r\nCRJU\/EMGT 4133 - Homeland Security\r\nCRJU\/EMGT 4153 - Critical Infrastructure Protection\r\nCRJU\/EMGT 4163 - Incident Command System\/Incident Management\r\nCRJU 4213 - International Law\r\n<h4>Electives (12 hours)<\/h4>\r\nCRJU course or EMGT courses\r\n<h4>Other Requirements (24 hours)<\/h4>\r\n3 hours of CHEM\r\n\r\nFIN 2003 - Personal Finance\r\nIS 2023 - Business Information Systems\r\nPSCI 2003 - American Government: National\r\nPSCI 2013 - State and Local Government\r\nPSYC 2003 - General Psychology\r\nSOC 2003 - Introduction to Sociology\r\nSPCH 1113 - Introduction to Public Speaking\r\n<h4>Unrestrictive Electives (17 Hours)<\/h4>\r\nStudents must complete a total of 40 JR\/SR hours.","minor_requirements":"","Degree Plans":"<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/files\/2026\/01\/Emergency-Management-PACT-8-2026-2027.pdf\">2026-2027<\/a> [pdf]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"miller-joshua\"]","Advisors":"","Accreditations":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<p>Admission to the Emergency Management program follows Southern Arkansas University's standard undergraduate admission requirements. There are no additional prerequisites specific to this major.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>SAU accepts applications on a rolling basis \u2014 you can apply and enroll up through the 11th class day of any semester.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Transfer and adult students are welcome.<\/strong> If you're coming from a fire science, criminal justice, EMS, or related associate-degree program, courses completed with a grade of C or higher may transfer toward your SAU degree, subject to evaluation. Students 25 or older may be admitted without ACT or SAT scores. Review SAU's full <a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/admissions\/apply\/transfer\/transfer-student-eligibility\/\">transfer policy<\/a> for details, and contact the program coordinator to discuss how your existing coursework may apply.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\" class=\"button\">Apply Now<\/a> &nbsp; <a href=\"#inquiry-form\">Request Information<\/a><\/p>","Testimonials":"","rankings":"","careers":"","keywords":"emergency management degree, bachelor of science emergency management, homeland security degree Arkansas, disaster response degree, incident command training, critical infrastructure protection, FEMA careers, public safety leadership degree, fire service bachelor's, law enforcement degree completion, EMT bachelor's degree, career change emergency management, Southern Arkansas University emergency management","custom_tab_title":"","custom_tab_text":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/17545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/17545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17625,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/17545\/revisions\/17625"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"college_department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college_department?post=17545"},{"taxonomy":"delivery","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/delivery?post=17545"},{"taxonomy":"types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types?post=17545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}