If you are interested in finding employment at government agencies or private enterprises to help communities plan for and mitigate emergency threats, then look no further than the exceptional emergency management degrees in the District of Columbia. As our country’s capital and focal point for the national security field, the District of Columbia offers endless opportunities for students to gain hands-on learning experience at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, Department of National Defense, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or many more security-related institutions. Within the nation’s seventh largest metropolitan area surrounded by historical landmarks and national monuments, the following are the approved emergency management programs offered within the District of Columbia.

American University

School of Public Affairs

Strategically located on an 84-acre urban campus in the downtown political hub of the District of Columbia as a comprehensive four-year private institution, American University is currently ranked as the 75th best college in the entire country by the U.S. News and World Report. With full prestigious accreditation through the NASPAA, the School of Public Affairs is also nationally acclaimed for offering the 12th best graduate public affairs programs in the United States.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy

Focused on the national security issues of chemical weapons, border security, nuclear attacks, global trade, and environmental issues from the perspective of criminal justice, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy program is designed to prepare graduate students for a broad range of practitioner and research positions in the area of terrorism prevention. Taking advantage of being positioned just steps away from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices, the 33-credit program provides ample experiential learning opportunities for developing strategic policy-based solutions to combat terrorist attacks at the federal, state, and local levels.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 885-2940
spagrad@american.edu
http://www.american.edu/spa/jlc/degrees/MS-terrorism-homeland-security.cfm

Georgetown University

Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service

Highly regarded as the 20th best college and 24th best value school in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report, Georgetown University is the nation’s oldest private Catholic institution situated on a 104-acre urban campus overlooking the Potomac River within minutes from downtown Washington, DC. Since being founded in 1919 as a premier school devoted to international affairs, the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service has been nationally acclaimed for offering the 15th best public policy programs that instill the values of service.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Security Studies

As the academic pillar of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) of the eight master’s degree programs provided through the Walsh School of Foreign Service, the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Security Studies program follows a multi-disciplinary approach to preparing graduate students for leadership positions within the growing national defense and homeland security fields. With the goal of developing the newest generation of intelligence analysts, policymakers, and scholars for addressing foreign policy issues in the 21st century, the 36-credit curriculum is regarded as the most comprehensive master’s degree in security studies available nationwide with around 65 courses offered each semester in a diverse range of relevant topics.

Graduate Certificate in Biodefense and Public Policy

Offered in collaboration with the University Medical Center’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the Graduate Certificate in Biodefense and Public Policy program is designed to provide a broad overview of biohazardous threat agents and emerging infectious diseases for qualified graduate students in the field of emergency management. Strongly focused on sociological perspectives of biodefnse, bioterrorism, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and community resilience, the 12-credit certificate is offered entirely online with full-time or part-time study options available to accommodate all professionals.

Accreditations

Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

3600 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 687-5679
sspinfo@georgetown.edu
http://css.georgetown.edu/ssp/

George Washington University

Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management

As an elite private research institution based on a 43-acre urban campus in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of our nation’s capital within minutes from the National Mall, George Washington University is currently ranked as the 52nd best college in the entire country by the U.S. News and World Report. Recently celebrating its 18th anniversary as a research institute and the leading provider of graduate-level education for emergency management in the region, the Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management is focused on producing highly competent professionals for developing new knowledge in relevant national security fields.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Engineering Management with a Concentration in Crisis, Emergency, and Risk Management

Designed to deliver a multi-disciplinary graduate education for qualified students seeking professional careers in emergency management of the public, private, or non-profit sectors, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Engineering Management program offers a unique concentration in Crisis, Emergency, and Risk Management. Within the 36-credit program, students will participate in courses one evening per week at the main Foggy Bottom campus in a traditional classroom mode. Students should expect to take courses in engineering economics, systems engineering, decision making, finance, emergency management, crisis intervention, information technology, terrorism preparedness, homeland security, and disaster risk management.

Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Public Health

In collaboration with the School of Public Health and Health Services, the Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Public Health is available for qualified graduate students who have already received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in good academic standing. In order to receive the certificate, students will need to complete six courses for a total of 18 credits in coursework on crisis intervention, emergency management, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, homeland security, hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, and international disaster management. If desired, there are also opportunities for graduate students to participate in relevant internship programs to receive credit towards earning the certificate.

Accreditations

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

1776 G Street NW Suite 101
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-6736
icdrm@gwu.edu
http://www.gwu.edu/~icdrm/

University of the District of Columbia

Department of Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Social Work

Renowned for being the only public university in our nation’s capital and the sole urban land-grant research institution with an open admissions policy in the United States, the University of the District of Columbia is situated on a 23-acre urban campus in Washington, DC within easy access to world-famous monuments for over 5,400 students. In particular, the Department of Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Social Work is committed to offering high-quality accredited programs that reflect the latest national trends and emerging local priorities to produce globally responsive graduates for the 21st century.

Master of Science (M.S.) in Homeland Security

As a charter to the National Honor Society for Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Protective Services by the Order of the Sword and Shield, the Master of Science (M.S.) in Homeland Security program is designed specifically for graduate students with strong research interests in various areas of emergency management. Founded as a multidisciplinary degree program that is available for all qualified students from any undergraduate major, the intensive curriculum requires the completion of at least 36 credit hours with a Master’s thesis or public policy paper. Within the program, students have the freedom to pursue a concentration in Emergency Management, Epidemiology, Intelligence Analysis, or Cyber Security based on career goals.

Accreditations

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

4200 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 274-5689
MSHS@udc.edu
http://www.udc.edu/college_arts_and_sciences/ms_homeland_security

Since the Washington, DC metropolitan area is the center for all three branches of the federal government and home to more than 5.8 million residents, the District of Columbia district has a rising demand for emergency management specialists to provide protection against natural and man-made disasters. In order to receive the advanced training needed to serve as a vital professional for leading the response during and after emergencies, be sure to further investigate these accredited emergency management degrees in the District of Columbia at some of the highest ranking universities in our nation’s capital.

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