Once you complete all of the required coursework to earn your Master’s in Emergency Management, there is a good chance that you will be asked to submit a thesis. While all degree programs have their own unique curriculum and requirements, theses are often required by the heads of the department to ensure that all of the students who are approaching graduation have really grasped the content and are able to express their own thoughts in the form of an academic piece of writing.
It can take a great deal of time throughout your final semester of graduate studies to write a research paper of this magnitude. This is why you should familiarize yourself not only with the required courses and electives, but also with any required research or internship requirements of the program. Read on, and learn more about course requirements and why intensive research projects can be beneficial.
What is a Thesis and Why Is It So Important?
In the world of graduate programs, theses are long papers that have a strong research component and that incorporate methods, theories and other information that was taught throughout the program of study. Unlike a dissertation, which is another lengthy paper that is required for doctoral degrees, you do not have to do the research that you are writing about. Instead, you will find research studies and then use these within your piece of writing to formulate opinions and analyze the information that you have found. If you are majoring in Emergency Management, the subject area must be relevant to the field.
What Courses Will You Take in an Emergency Management Program?
A master’s program generally consists of 50 to 60 course credits. The required courses and the electives will depend upon the school that you attend and the specialization that you choose. It is common to take courses in: Public Safety, Issues in Emergency Management, Disaster Response & Recovery, Crisis and Trauma, Risk Assessment, Preparedness, Hazard Mitigation, and Terrorism Legislation.
While your courses may differ, the research paper that you write will need to relate to one or more of the subject areas. This is why you need to know your capstone or research requirement well in advance so that you can generate ideas as you go. If you wait until the end approaches, you may become overwhelmed by the idea of a comprehensive project topic.
Benefits of Writing a Research Paper at this Level
Earning a master’s degree requires a commitment of your time. Not only do you just take courses, you go beyond the surface level content and develop a deeper understanding of key areas of the field. When you complete a program that has a thesis requirement, you have the opportunity to gather all of the content you have learned and demonstrate the analytical skills you have developed as they relate to the industry you are pursuing.
It can be intimidating, but if you set aside ample time to read research papers and develop a topic you are passionate about, you should be able to dive in to your thesis preparations quickly and easily. Be sure to keep a journal of interesting information that you come across while you are in school so that you can easily reference text or articles. If you do this, you do not have to let accredited Master’s in Emergency Management programs with a thesis requirement scare you away.