After 911, New York has learned the true value of emergency responders. There has never been a time in our nation’s history when society as a whole has been more concerned with safety – both in regards to man-made and natural disasters. It comes as no surprise, then, to find that Emergency Management is one of the most thriving career fields in the United States. The need for firefighters, police, and first responders has never been greater. Driven men and women who are capable of effectively managing disaster relief – including everything from hurricanes to terrorist attacks – are in high demand, and the training necessary for careers in these fields is more accessible than one might initially think. Given these facts, it seems fitting to find some of the top programs for Emergency Management are based right in the heart of New York.
ADELPHI UNIVERSITY/University College
University College: Adelphi’s College for Working Adults
The first and oldest university in Long Island, New York, Adelphi University is a private institution with enrollment numbers of less than 6,000 undergraduate students per academic year. Adelphi University is continually ranked as one of the best private schools in the nation by U.S. News, as well as by the Fiske Guide to College, and has even been mentioned by the New York Times as a thriving institution. Adelphi University’s campus life is flourishing with over eighty student organizations, community outreach programs, and ample study abroad opportunities. For students who are career-motivated and, for whatever reason, unable to attend classes at the main campus, Adelphi University is home to University College: Adelphi’s College for Working Adults. At University College, students engage in a hybrid format of online and in-class courses and graduate with degrees that will allow them to easily transition from academia into the working world.
Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration
The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration program is intended for students pursuing a degree in public safety. Career opportunities include emergency medical services, law enforcement, disaster management, security and fire service. The program was designed by emergency services professionals who understand that many students will enter this program with prior knowledge of the field. For students who possess military training, EMOT or Paramedic certification, police academy coursework, and fire academy training, credits may be earned in the classroom. Degree candidates must maintain a GPA of 2.5 in order to remain in the program, and in order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration, students must complete 120 credits – only 30 of which must be completed at University College. Courses in this degree program can be completed online or in a hybrid combination of online and in-class courses. After completing the degree, students will be given the option of continuing their education through the Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management or the Master of Science in Emergency Management. Link
Master of Science in Emergency Services
The Master of Science in Emergency Management program requires candidates to complete thirty-nine credits of interdisciplinary study in order to ensure they are well prepared before entering one of the most thriving career fields in the nation. The program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles involving emergency response. The course is divided between University College, which offers the core emergency management courses, and Adelphi’s School of Business, which offers the other required management courses. Students may concentrate in either environmental emergency services, government emergency services, or health emergency services. Classes are offered both online and at night, so as to ensure anyone who wants to be a part of the program can be. Candidates who successfully complete the program may also graduate with credentials from internationally-acclaimed organizations such as the Business Continuity Institute, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPR), and Occupational Health and Safety Administration. This degree is designed for students pursuing a career in law enforcement, the military, the government, and organizations such as hospitals and clinics. Link
Contact Information
Adelphi University
1 South Ave
P.O. Box 701
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
(516) 877-3412
ucinfo@adelphi.edu
Adelphi University offers Emergency Medical degree programs that cater to men and women who are already in the workforce. For those who have commitments outside of academia, the faculty and advisors at Adelphi are understanding and more than willing to work with candidates in order to fulfill their dreams. For anyone pursuing a degree but lacking the time necessary to commute to a campus, Adelphi offers an accredited alternative.
DeVry College of New York
DeVry University offers a bachelor’s degree in Justice Administration with a specialization in Emergency Management. This programs allows students to take advantage of growing opportunities in mitigation, preparedness, response, or recovery activities for natural disasters, technological disasters, terrorism or war activity, or hostage situations. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for a career as an emergency planner, emergency management system (EMS) director, emergency preparedness program specialist, or hazard mitigation officer.
Justice Administration degree
Law enforcement, corrections, and other criminal justice professionals face challenges every day, from imminent physical danger to issues of politics, ethics, and personal judgment. The growing demands of this challenging profession make a Justice Administration bachelor’s degree imperative for success in the field. The Justice Administration degree program with a specialization in Emergency Management may include career-focused courses such as; Emergency Management, Disaster Response, Emergency Planning, Terrorism in Emergency Management,Technology in Emergency Management, and Crisis Intervention.
Contact
DeVry College of New York
Midtown Manhattan Campus
180 Madison Ave.
Suite 900
New York, NY 10016
212-312-4300
Metropolitan College of New York
School for Public Affairs and Administration
The Metropolitan College of New York is a private institution located in Manhattan, New York City, between Tribeca and SoHo. Formerly known as Audrey Cohen College, Metropolitan College of New York’s ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (North), Tier 2. The college is known for offering adult students accelerated educational programs. Students earn their degrees at a faster rate at Metropolitan College of New York than at other colleges in the state, with students having the opportunity to complete an associate’s degree in 16 months, a bachelor’s degree in two years eight months, and a master’s degree in one year’s time. Programs at the Metropolitan College of New York are designed in order to ensure students receive not only academic knowledge but real-life experience. Students graduate with the tools necessary to thrive in the real world.
Associate of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity
The Associate of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity program is designed to provide students with expert knowledge and experience in the fields of Emergency Management and Business Continuity. According to the program, when combined, Emergency Management, which is the art of coordinating resources in planning for, responding to, and mitigating the threat caused by a crisis, and Business Continuity, which is the practice of planning in order to mitigate the loss of life following the event of a disaster, whether it be natural, technological, or man-made, best prepare students for any event that could occur within the field of emergency responders. In other words, this program ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that will prepare them for anything. For those pursuing a career as a first responder, the Associate of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity program provides the credit hours required for admission to the NYPD Police Academy and the FDNY Fire Academy. The 60 credits Associate of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity can be counted toward the 120 credits necessary for the related Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity.
Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity
The Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity has the same core foundations as the related degree, the Associate of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity. After a student completes the fourth semester of the Associate program, he or she has the option to continue on an Emergency Management centered Bachelor degree program or a Bachelor degree program with an emphasis on Business Continuity. Both tracks have a foundation built on the root principles of both Emergency Management and Business Continuity, but the difference is found in the courses taken during the seventh and eighth semesters. For those who choose the Emergency Management track, candidates will take courses such as Disaster Mitigation and Natural Disaster Planning. For those who choose the Business Continuity track, candidates will enroll in courses such as Risk Analysis and Disaster Case Management. After completing the eighth semester, students will graduate with classroom knowledge and field experience. They will obtain careers in fire safety, the police force, and other emergency response positions.
Contact Information
Metropolitan College of New York
431 Canal Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 343-1234
cfrank@mcny.edu
Link
The Metropolitan College of New York provides students with the option of a 60 credit associate degree or a 120 credit bachelor degree. Both programs can be accelerated, so in less than three years, a candidate may have earned his or her Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management and Business Continuity. The Metropolitan College of New York is unique in its opportunities provided to those interested in a career in emergency mitigation.
Pace University
Dyson College of Arts & Science
Established in 1906, Pace University has offered high-quality education. Located in Manhattan, New York’s Metropolitan area, Pace University is a only few blocks from the World Trade Center site. With it’s additional location in West Chester County, Pace enrolls almost 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, School of Law, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. One particular program offered is executive Master of Arts (MA) in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals through their Dyson College of Arts and Sciences division.
Master of Arts in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals
This is a graduate-level emergency management degree program, which is primarily offered online. The program prepares public and private sector law enforcement, military, fire, public health and other safety and security professionals to respond to and prevent future attacks using existing resources. Pace has Partnered with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security for this program. Graduates with this Masters in Homeland Security from Pace can play a critical role in preventing crime & disrupting terrorist attacks, protecting human & natural hazard, and managing large-scale public safety plans.
Contact Information
Joseph Ryan, PhD
Criminal Justice and Security Department Chair
Pleasantville Campus
jryan@pace.edu
(914) 773-3814
Link
Pace’s collaborative effort with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) University Agency and Partnership Initiative offers it’s students access to all CHDS course offerings, as well as to its Homeland Security Digital Library. The program’s curriculum incorporates selected CHDS courses. Located within the Naval Postgraduate School, CHDS was established in 2003 in response to the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
SUNY CANTON
School of Business
SUNY Canton is a public institution with an enrollment of approximately 3,800 undergraduate students per academic year. Ranked Tier-2 by US News, SUNY Canton offers its students unique academic opportunities such as study abroad programs, bachelor degrees, associate degrees, and certificate programs. Depending on the program, SUNY Canton offers hands-on classroom based programs as well as courses that are offered entirely online. For those with an interest in Emergency Management, SUNY Canton’s program is exclusively online-based but has partnerships with community outreach programs involving emergency response, including EMT training and a strong affiliation with the local police academy.
Bachelor of Technology in Emergency Management
The Bachelor of Technology in Emergency Management program is designed for working students who are unable to commit to commuting to a classroom several times throughout the week. The program focuses on providing students with experience in emergency operating center technology and incident management technology. The program is structured so that most classes are set up in seven-week sessions. Students have the ability to work with local, state, and Federal agencies, as well as the use of industry-leading Graphical Information System (GIS) and Virtual Emergency Operations Centers. The course provides virtual disaster simulations and hazard modeling so students will graduate the program as prepared as possible. Learning outcomes for this program include a thorough understanding of the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Students will be able to analyze past disasters in order to help mitigate current and prevent future disasters. Students will also be proficient in critical thinking and will possess the tools necessary to evaluate disasters and communicate resolutions in an effective manner. Upon completion of the degree, students will be some of the nation’s most efficient public servants.
Contact Information
SUNY Canton
FOB 422
34 Cornell Drive
Canton, New York 13617
315-379-3948
oconnorm@canton.edu
Link
At SUNY Canton, Emergency Management is a much respected field. The administration and faculty seek out driven individuals who are dedicated to ensuring the safety of the general public, whether their aspirations lie in environmental management or government management. In less than four years, students may graduate and obtain employment in their dream field. With their exclusively-online learning format, SUNY Canton ensures that no student will be denied an education due to the restraints of life.
Union College
Emergency Management and Exercise Science
Union College is a small, private college with an undergraduate enrollment of less than 1,000 students per academic year. The student to teacher ratio is, on average, less than 13:1. Union has been rated a top tier college in its regional category by US News consistently throughout the years and is affiliated with Seventh-day Adventist church. For students interested in traveling and humanitarian work, this college supports mission trips and encourages students to seek out the best path for them, regardless of financial need. Offering its students financial support and academic guidance, Union College ensures a quality education.
Bachelor of Science in International Rescue and Relief
The Bachelor of Science in International Rescue and Relief program is designed for students who are drawn to dangerous situations and who have a desire to protect and serve through humanitarian efforts and disaster relief. Upon completion, students will be well-trained in aspects of rescue, survival and humanitarian relief; graduates will also hold certification in white water and high angle rescue and EMS. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, and fulfill core requirements, such as algebra and chemistry, in addition to program-specific requirements. This program encourages studying abroad in Central America as well as studying across the nation in places such as Colorado, where students develop rescue skills. Career options for students who successfully complete the course include medical school, public health, non-profit agencies, fire department, and law enforcement.
Contact Information
International Rescue and Relief Program
Union College
(402) 486-2980
irr@ucollege.edu
Link
For men and women who are interested in pursuing a career in public service but have a desire to live more adventurously, this program present applicants with the opportunity to not only help with humanitarian aid and disaster relief but to do so in some of the most exotic locations on the earth.