For aspiring homeland security specialists and emergency management experts, emergency management degrees in Missouri are among the top choices for receiving professional training at seven top-notch higher learning institutions in the state. With its location in the Midwest as the 21st most extensive state in the United States, Missouri has had to weather its fair share of disasters in the form of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. Most recently, the 2011 Joplin tornado struck Missouri to claim 159 lives and cost an estimated $3 billion in damages as the deadliest tornado in the U.S. since 1947. In fact, Missouri also suffered one of the worst tornadoes in world history in 1896 in the suburbs of St. Louis. Below are descriptions of the accredited emergency management degree programs that are designed to prepare qualified security professionals for protecting Missouri’s citizens from these disasters.
Grantham University
College of Arts and Sciences
Featuring more than 50 years of national accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), Grantham University is a comprehensive private for-profit institution based in Kansas with a satellite office in Missouri that offers more than 40 online degree programs to over 17,400 students worldwide. Recently selected as one of the top military-friendly schools in the United States by Military Advanced Education (MAE), Grantham prides itself on a commitment to educating military members, first responders, and Department of Defense personnel. In fact, Grantham has also recently received the Innovative Best Practice/New Program Award by the APSCU.
Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (BA-CJ): Homeland Security Concentration
Structured to provide undergraduate students with an in-depth understanding of criminal justice theories and practical experiences with real-world insight, the Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (BA-CJ) program is the ideal option for those pursuing a career in corrections, law enforcement, homeland security, investigations, and emergency management. For a promising career at the local, state, or federal government level, the program builds the analytical skills needed to solve problems efficiently and make effective decisions under pressure. In particular, the Homeland Security Concentration is offered to focus on electives that develop knowledge related to protecting our nation’s borders and preparing for or recovering from emergency situations. In the 122-credit program, students will become experts in disaster planning, emergency management, terrorism prevention, and border security 100% online.
Accreditation
Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
Contact
8600 NE Underground Drive
Kansas City, MO 64161
(888) 947-2684
admissions@grantham.edu
http://www.grantham.edu/online-degrees/criminal-justice-bachelors/
Park University
Hauptmann School of Public Affairs
Based on a 700-acre suburban campus in the small town of Parkville with 40 satellite centers across the United States from California to Georgia, Park University is a comprehensive four-year private liberal arts institution that serves more than 10,200 students. As one of only two schools west of the Mississippi River to be ranked in the top 10 most affordable private universities by the U.S. News and World Report, Park is currently named the 2nd best private institution for service members in the nation by Military Times magazine. The Hauptmann School of Public Affairs is also acclaimed for having the 149th best public affairs degree programs for graduate students in the United States.
Master of Public Affairs (MPA) with a Concentration in Disaster and Emergency Management
Strongly based on the social theories surrounding the prevention of disasters, mitigation, and risk management, the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) with a Concentration in Disaster and Emergency Management program is designed to prepare graduates with a unique understanding on the essential elements that comprise growing international risks. The program aims to prepare professionals for leadership careers in all levels of government emergency management organizations, private sector risk management services, public safety firms, and other non-governmental service organizations. Within the 36-credit program, students are required to take courses in public affairs, leadership development, ethics, public policy, disaster planning, emergency management, global hazard reduction, natural hazards, terrorism, and government operations planning for emergencies.
Graduate Certificate in Disaster and Emergency Management
In order to complement the school’s existing graduate degree programs, the Graduate Certificate in Disaster and Emergency Management program has been created to engage students in the public policy issues that surround a wide range of natural and manmade hazards in diverse communities. From homeland security issues and terrorist attacks to violent hurricanes and technology blackouts, the program is focused on ensuring the efficient government response to disasters by increasing the knowledge of public managers. For completion of the graduate, students must successfully accumulate at least 14 hours of foundational coursework in disaster and emergency management.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
8700 NW River Park Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
(816) 559-5616
hspa@park.edu
http://www.park.edu/academics/hauptmann-school-of-public-affairs/index.html
Saint Louis University
College of Public Health and Social Justice
Established in 1818 as a private co-educational Roman Catholic institution with Jesuit values, Saint Louis University has grown to serve more than 13,900 students on its main 271-acre urban campus in the state’s largest city with a satellite center in Madrid. Named 4th for participating in community service by Washington Monthly, SLU is currently ranked as the 101st best college and 15th top university for veterans in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. As the only school of public health in the United States sponsored by a Jesuit university to receive CEPH accreditation, the College of Public Health and Social Justice is also nationally acclaimed for having the 36th best public health degrees in America.
Master of Public Health in Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness (MPH-BSDP)
Built in a hybrid format that combines on-campus instruction with online learning through distance technology, the Master of Public Health in Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness (MPH-BSDP) program will train graduate students to address the consequences of bioterrorism, emerging infectious diseases, and other crises. In the 48-credit program focused on specific competency-based training in emergency response planning, students are required to complete two semesters of full-time residency as well as a practice experience similar to an internship. Students may also want to consider pursuing a joint MPH degree program to complement learning in the related disciplines of Environmental and Occupational Health or Epidemiology concurrently in an accelerated 54-credit curriculum.
Certificate in Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness
In an effort to prepare graduate students to tackle the challenges that impact communities and global health in the 21st century, the Certificate in Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness is available within the Institute of Biosecurity to offer a foundation in the skills required to be a biosecurity professional in homeland security or emergency management of pandemics. Within one of the most rapidly growing disciplines of public health, the program covers topics in disaster planning, public health, communicable diseases, infection control, and risk analysis. For admissions to the 15-credit program, students must have at least a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, but experience in a health-related field is strongly preferred.
Accreditation
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
3545 Lafayette Suite 465
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 977-8135
bioterr@slu.edu
http://www.bioterrorism.slu.edu/degrees.html
University of Central Missouri
Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies
Located on a vast 1,561-acre rural campus in the town of Warrensburg within just 50 miles southeast of Kansas City, the University of Central Missouri is home to more than 12,000 students as a comprehensive four-year public institution. With designation as Missouri’s leading institution for professional technology, UCMO is currently ranked as the 92nd best college and 32nd top public school in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies, the Institute for Rural Emergency Management offers academic degree programs for students wanting to make a difference in the world in public safety, emergency medical services, homeland security, or other community services.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Crisis and Disaster Management
With the goal of preparing knowledgeable degreed crisis managers who can protect citizens from harm in the event of natural and/or manmade disasters, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Crisis and Disaster Management program features a multi-disciplinary curriculum focused on the principles of preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. As a division of the Missouri Safety Center, the program’s position in the Institute for Rural Emergency Management offers valuable opportunities for students to complete practicum experiences in assisting rural communities and high-risk populations prepare for potential disasters. With a low student-faculty ratio of 17:1 for personalized attention, the program can be completed entirely online with an optional certificate in Business Continuity, Emergency Management, Emergency Services Management, or Environmental Hazards.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
108 West South Street
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 543-4971
irem@ucmo.edu
http://www.ucmo.edu/irem/cdm/
University of Missouri Extension
Division of Emergency Management
First founded in 1839 as the first comprehensive public university west of the Mississippi River, the University of Missouri is now a major academic and research powerhouse of more than 40,000 students on its 1,262-acre urban campus in the heart of downtown Columbia. As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Mizzou is currently ranked as the 97th best college, 44th top public school, and 12th best college for veterans in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the Mizzou Extension, the Division of Emergency Management is committed to furthering knowledge about disaster planning for disease outbreaks, earthquakes, fires, terrorist attacks, floods, tornadoes, and other severe storms.
Community Emergency Management Program (CEMP)
Designed to provide educational training to post-baccalaureate graduate students who are interested in helping individuals, families, organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies prepare for natural and manmade disasters, the Community Emergency Management Program (CEMP) is available 100% online or at one of MU’s extension centers. Due to the fact that disasters can impact every aspect of communities at large, the program is focused on preparing in-depth knowledge on emergency management functions, mitigation programs, preparedness activities, recovery issues, and disaster response plans for future public officials. Since being founded in 1990 after the Iben Browning earthquake scare, the CEMP program has been recognized as the state’s leading valuable resource for empowering professionals to advance careers in disaster management.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
108 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-7477
evanses@missouri.edu
http://extension.missouri.edu/cemp/cemp.html
Webster University
George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology
Renowned for being the only first-tier private non-profit liberal arts institution with campus locations around the world in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Webster University is a Midwestern school based on a 47-acre suburban campus in the town of Webster Groves with a global reach. Serving the academic needs of over 22,000 students, Webster is ranked as the 21st best college and 7th top university for veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology is nationally recognized for having the 125th best online graduate business degrees in the United States.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Business and Organizational Security Management
In partnership with the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Business and Organizational Security Management program is designed to prepare highly trained security managers with knowledge in security, asset management, and emergency preparedness to function with today’s heightened vulnerability to life and property. Available at more than 100 campus locations or online from anywhere, the program features the ultimate flexibility in advancing training on business security management, emergency planning, information systems security, assets protection, terrorism, and violence in the workplace. Upon completion, graduates will receive assistance in preparing for the Certified Protection Professional Program offered through ASIS International.
Accreditation
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
470 East Lockwood Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119
(314) 246-8621
porrasd@webster.edu
http://www.webster.edu/masters/business-and-organizational-security.html
Westminster College
School of Social Sciences
Situated on a beautiful 86-acre rural campus in the town of Fulton near the Mark Twain National Forest within just 20 miles south of the state’s capital in Jefferson City, Westminster College is a selective comprehensive private liberal arts institution with a total enrollment of just over 1,100 students. With an emphasis on developmental experience, Westminster is ranked as the 146th best national liberal arts college by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Social Sciences is committed to offering opportunities for students to participate in community service and service learning to build initiative, teamwork, and communication skills.
Minor in Security Studies
Available for full-time undergraduate students at Westminster, the Minor in Security Studies is designed to build the skill sets needed for obtaining job placement in the national security bureaucracy of the U.S. federal government. In particular, the minor seeks to help students identify threats to national security, understand security policies, think critically about possible threats, react appropriately to security breaches, and implement foreign policy objectives within the United States. Although not required in the 18-credit minor, it is highly recommended that students choose to take at least two years of foreign language and participate in an off-campus internship related to security studies.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
501 Westminster Avenue
Fulton, MO 65251
(573) 592-5185
Tobias.Gibson@westminster-mo.edu
http://www.westminster-mo.edu/academics/majorsminors/minors/Pages/SecurityStudies.aspx
If you have received the calling to help prevent, mitigate, and recover from crises that strike the “Show Me State,” be sure to check out these first-rate emergency management degrees in Missouri to receive the essential training needed to devise effective security plans, stay calm in the face of danger, and protect citizens from harm in natural or manmade disasters.
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