Emergency management degrees in Iowa are the perfect way for students to turn a natural desire to help into a skilled career in public service or private disaster management work. These degrees focus on giving students the decision-making skills required in order to save lives in the event of a natural disaster, a manmade emergency, or a terrorist situation. With a combination of practical coursework, hands-on experience, and a comprehensive study of the ethical and legal ramifications of helping out, students will be primed to put their best foot forward when disaster strikes and human lives depend on their ability to make legal, ethical, and quick decisions to help out.

Upper Iowa University

Department of Emergency Management

Upper Iowa University is a private institution that focuses on individual attention in the classroom. With an enrollment of just 900 students, that’s certainly the biggest selling point of this school’s Department of Emergency Management. Students typically classes with 20 or fewer classmates, ensuring they have the ability to get to know the professor, have their questions answered, and stand a chance at really succeeding on campus. In addition to a strong academic program and individualized instruction, students can expect to seek at least one internship during their time at Upper Iowa and they can expect to engage in on-campus practicums in laboratory environments. These experiences allow students to boast real, verifiable experience in decision-making scenarios as they seek employment after graduation, putting them ahead of their competition for key jobs.

Major in Emergency and Disaster Management

The Emergency and Disaster Management major at Upper Iowa University is designed to give students a background in both general management and emergency response. To that end, they’ll take courses in public administration, strategic management, and personnel issues. They’ll pair those classes with legal and ethical studies of disaster response, classes in natural disasters and terrorism, courses that break down the structure of the United States government, and several classes that focus on the psychology of disaster. This comprehensive look into the nature of disasters, the structure of agencies that respond to them, and the psychology of people involved in them, creates a well-rounded graduate prepared for virtually any emergency scenario they may face.

Contact
Upper Iowa University
Department of Emergency Management
605 Washington St.
P.O. Box 1857
Fayette, IA 52142
Phone: (800) 553-4150
Email: info@uiu.edu
Website

Western Iowa Tech Community College

Department of Security and Public Safety

Western Iowa Tech is one of the largest community colleges in the state, with five campuses throughout the western third of Iowa. Its Department of Security and Public Safety is dedicated to producing knowledgeable professionals who can make quick decisions and judgments in order to safe lives and prevent serious catastrophes in the event of natural or manmade disasters. The university recreates real-world scenarios on campus that put students at the heart of the decision-making process, both individually and in groups of others enrolled in the same program. The community college also encourages an internship during the final year of steady, and uses extensive connections throughout western Iowa to help students find a relevant employer for proper experience.

Emergency and Disaster Management (Associate of Applied Science Degree)

The emergency management program at WIT results in an applied science degree, which means students have to take far less general education courses than they would in a different type of two-year program. As a result, virtually all of the classes required consist of a major topic in emergency response. Students will study the fundamentals of emergency response and decision-making, as well as the technical side of the field and how technology is changing the way decisions are made. Other courses study medical responses, homeland security and terrorism, and emergency response communication, giving students a well-rounded set of skills to handle virtually any problem life might throw their way after they successfully find employment in this sector.

Contact
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Department of Security and Public Safety
4647 Stone Avenue
Sioux City, IA 51106
Phone: (712) 274-6404
Email: steve.ebsen@witcc.edu
Website

There are many people who have a talent for handling stressful situations and turning them into an opportunity to change and save lives. Even so, the best way to focus these talents is to pursue a college degree that makes them even stronger, with the legal and ethical background needed to make better and more beneficial decisions in a punch. That’s where the emergency management degrees in Iowa come into play, with strong academics that give students their best chance at helping others in need.

For more information on Emergency Management degrees, please see Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs.