If you are considering beginning a doctorate program in emergency management, then you may be curious about some of the key courses that you would need to take. This guide will give a good overview of what key courses you can expect to see in almost any emergency management doctorate program.
Resource: Top 10 Doctorate Degrees in Emergency Management Online 2016-2017
Contemporary Issues in Emergency Management
This is an important course that will pop up in a lot of doctorate level programs. It takes a look at some of the issues that you will most likely come across in today’s emergency management environment. The problems that you will study can range anywhere from human error to the issues with emerging technologies. Not only will you be studying the issues that are presented, but you will be learning key strategies for working through these issues and developing plans to eradicate these issues in the future. This course will be beneficial to any type of career field you enter upon graduation.
Risk Management in Emergency Management
Risk management is a process where you identify the risk, alalyze the risk as well as possible workarounds, and then either the acceptance of the risk, or the mitigation of going in a new direction. Risk management is extremely important in emergency management, because in the field you typically need to learn how to make the best decision when you have a wide variety of choices. In a lot of cases, you will also learn how to make important decisions when you are in a time sensitive situation.
21st-Century Communication and Leadership
This key course takes a look at two very important categories in the emergency management field. The first being communication, which is the key to any successful operation. You will learn about different types of communication techniques, and find out which are the most effective and efficient. Leadership will tie into this, as effective leadership is completely dependent on competent communication practices. In the event that you take a leadership role post graduation, you will have learned the skills required to lead a team in a strategic and effective manner.
Application of Emergency Management Theory
This key course moves far away from field practice and takes a look exclusively at theory. You will learn about the development of theory, or a way to explain events within their range of observation. In a course like this you are encouraged to analyze data, develop research questions, read through methodology, inspect the framework for current data analysis, and even learn about policy development. In essence, you want to see how the field of emergency management has developed as it is today, and then ask your own questions and do your own research to back up findings or dispute them.
Planning, Preparedness, Response, Recovery
While names for this type of course may vary through the doctorate programs you are researching, they are all looking to teach the student critical skills needed for the emergency management field. Most of emergency management involves planning for things that have not happened yet, or things that have happened previously. This way, you are prepared for what may come in the future. In the case that this event happens, you will have a response in place for how to act and what needs to be done. After the event has occurred, you will also have a recovery plan in place, either for the people involved in the situation or the area.
This guide is intended to give you a well-rounded overview of the types of courses you can expect to see in a doctorate level program in emergency management. These key courses are likely to be found in most programs.