Due to the fact that we live in a rapidly evolving world where national security is continually threatened by the increasing occurrence of natural and manmade disasters, the need for qualified students to enroll in emergency management degrees in Oregon has never been greater. When emergency strikes, it is essential that the state has a vast supply of professionals working behind the scenes to guarantee that emergency contingencies are covered and emergency personnel are coordinated properly. As the ninth largest state in America with its population largely concentrated within the Willamette Valley, the demand for emergency management specialists is growing steadily to protect the lives of over 3.8 million Oregonians. If you have received the calling to put your life on the line for working to keep others safe in potentially devastating disasters, read on to learn more details about the emergency management programs available within Oregon.

Clackamas Community College

Human Services Department

First established in 1966 as a comprehensive two-year public college for offering career and technical education, Clackamas Community College is headquartered on a main campus in historic Oregon City along the Willamette River with satellite extension centers in Wilsonville, Canby, and Molalla. As one of the state’s largest community colleges with a total enrollment of over 38,000 full and part-time students, CCC delivers associate’s degrees, transfer programs, diplomas, and certificates in over 80 areas of study. Within the Human Services Department, students can choose from a number of accredited programs focused on promoting students’ success with high-quality education and serving the community.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Emergency Management

Structured as a two-year degree with a minimum of 60 credits, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Emergency Management program will prepare students with the skills to form critical decisions, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, and coordinate resources necessary to protect others from possible emergency or disaster. Centered on the four aspects of emergency management for preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery in the face of danger, the program is ideal for students seeking to build a successful career as an emergency manager, public safety management, risk assessment manager, FEMA worker, or Homeland Security agent. After successfully achieving this degree, graduates will be able to demonstrate the entry-level professional competencies needed to acquire these positions in agencies within the public or private sector to properly manage any life-threatening disaster.

Accreditations

Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCUU)

Contact

19600 Molalla Avenue
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 594-3207
yvonnes@clackamas.edu
https://www.clackamas.edu/Programs/Emergency-Management.aspx

Concordia University

College of Education

Affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Concordia University is a comprehensive private Christian liberal arts institution of around 5,400 students on a main 13-acre urban campus in northeastern Portland with branch campuses scattered across the Pacific Northwest. Offering a total of 18 majors and 20 concentrations through four colleges, Concordia is currently ranked as the 80th top regional university and 27th best college for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Also home to the 120th best online graduate programs, the College of Education has over 100 years of experience in offering convenient degrees to adult learners seeking to create more advanced successes in community service.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

Offered as an adult degree completion program in the College of Education, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has the goal of training highly skilled well-educated personnel with the ability to implement plans, manage resources, and provide assistance where needed most whenever disaster strikes. Combining coursework with practical life experience in preparation for assuming leadership roles in the emergency management field, the program is delivered in a highly flexible format with both online and on-campus learning in convenient eight-week sessions. In preparing for everything from floods and earthquakes to plane crashes and train derailments, all students spend significant time in the state-of-the-art simulator, which is the most advanced of its kind of the West Coast.

Accreditations

Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCUU)

Contact

2811 NE Holman Street
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 288-9371
swinegar@cu-portland.edu
http://www.cu-portland.edu/lp/homeland-security

Northwest Christian University

Criminal Justice Department

Since being established in 1895 as a divinity school, Northwest Christian University has grown drastically to become a comprehensive private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Disciples of Christ to educate more than 650 students on a close-knit campus in east Eugene adjacent to the larger University of Oregon. Known for providing graduates with superb career preparation in a Christ-centered environment of values, NCU is currently ranked as the 20th best regional college in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the School of Professional Studies, the Criminal Justice Department is dedicated to providing students a competitive edge in assuming advancement opportunities in public organizations, private firms, government agencies, and other businesses related to the criminal justice field.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice

For current and future law enforcement professionals seeking to stay ahead of today’s changing society, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice program is available to achieve advanced educational and career goals in an accelerated format through online studies. In addition to improving salary potential and job opportunities, the program will offer students the valuable opportunity to enhance understanding of the practical day-to-day realities of the American justice system. Students benefit from 24/7 access to courses, six start dates each year, convenient eight-week sessions, highly qualified faculty, money-saving financial aid options, and flexible online delivery for maintaining family or work commitments. Graduates often go on to find success as police officers, deputy sheriffs, FBI agents, correctional officers, bailiffs, court clerks, security analysts, insurance investigators, emergency managers, and more.

Criminal Network Analyst Certificate

In partnership with Blue Light LLC as a non-degree program, the Criminal Network Analyst Certificate is designed to provide specialized software training to undergraduate or graduate students to build the skills needed for entering a successful law enforcement career in the high-tech environment of the 21st century. In order to earn the certificate, individuals will need to satisfactorily complete at least four courses related to intelligence analysis, operations management, criminal network targeting, and criminal analysis platforms. All courses are offered in a convenient online format, but those in the military also have the opportunity to pursue the certificate at various bases participating in the program. In many cases, students utilize these courses as electives in pursuing the B.S. in Criminal Justice degree.

Accreditations

Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCUU)

Contact

828 East 11th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 684-7338
rgraham@nwcu.edu
http://www.nwcu.edu/criminal-justice

Portland Community College

Division of Public Service Education

Serving residents in the five-county area of Multnomah, Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, and Clackamas with a main 256-acre urban campus in downtown Portland, the Portland Community College is a comprehensive two-year public junior college dedicated to continuing education for lifelong professional development. As Oregon’s largest higher education institution with over 83,000 students each year, PCC also has extension centers scattered across Sylvania, Rock Creek, Cascade, Willow Creek, Hillsboro, Newberg, and the Central Portland Workforce Training Center. In the Division of Public Service Education, PCC students can pursue career-oriented degrees and certificates related to assuming positions on the frontline of government agencies at the local, state, regional, or national level.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Fire Protection Technology

When disaster strikes, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Fire Protection Technology degree will provide the preparation needed to build a rewarding career working in fire protection by obtaining the technical know-how with the essential tools of the trade. Whether fighting a raging fire in a house, responding to an accident on the freeway, or attending to a major emergency situation, the program ensures that graduates are well-equipped for meeting the challenge of protecting the public from harm. In collaboration with emergency response agencies throughout Portland, the degree has been structured to meet the unique demands of the profession according to the standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For completion, students will need to acquire at least 101 credits related to fire suppression, investigation, prevention, public safety, emergency management, emergency medical services, hazardous materials technology, wildfire fighting, and general education.

Accreditations

International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)
Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCUU)

Contact

12000 SW 49th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
(971) 722-5580
donna.fielding@pcc.edu
http://www.pcc.edu/programs/fire-protection/

Earning a degree in emergency management is an excellent way to stay updated on the latest developments of a field that is growing rapidly at the rate of 20% over the next decade. If you are seeking a truly rewarding career with a bright job outlook in the near future, it is highly recommended that you consider pursuing one of these emergency management degrees in Oregon to receive the training necessary for investigating, proposing, and developing disaster response plans to save countless lives.

Another great resource:

Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs 2014