Emergency Management, B.S.
Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management is the only undergraduate emergency management program offered at a Jesuit university in the United States. Through SLU's School for Professional Studies, you will learn to administer aid and assistance to others, helping to ensure the resilience of your community in the face of disasters large and small. This comprehensive, multi-disciplinary program focuses on all sectors recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), providing students with essential skills for careers in the emergency management sector.
While studying for your B.S. in emergency management, you’ll be encouraged to gain first-hand knowledge of the work done by local chapters of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and fire and police departments, helping you connect your studies directly to current industry practices.
As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 120-credit degree program offers future and current leaders like you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With six accelerated, eight-week terms each year provided by SLU online, you can begin working toward your degree at any time, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals.
Faculty
As a student in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, you’ll learn from exceptional faculty who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom and are dedicated to your professional success. Learn more on our faculty page.
Careers
If you choose to major in emergency management, potential careers include emergency manager, risk manager, disaster communications, business continuity, homeland security professional, search and rescue, firefighting, law enforcement, and training and exercise officer.
After completing your degree, you will have completed most of the requirements for the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Certification as an Associate Emergency Manager (AEM). Many employers require this professional certification for posted new positions.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specifically for new students.
- Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
Active Military, Veterans and First Responders
Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty military members, reserve members and first responders qualify for a reduced tuition rate of $295 per credit hour for any undergraduate program through the School for Professional Studies.
- Graduates will be able to comprehend emergency management and homeland security principles that impact local, regional, national and global communities.
- Graduates will be able to examine the professional role of the emergency manager.
- Graduates will be able to evaluate methods used to develop policies for emergency management and homeland security.
- Graduates will be able to describe the interconnectedness of agencies and organizations involved in emergency management and homeland security.
- Graduates will be able to apply the fundamental principles of emergency management across its core phases of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application
- High school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250
- Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance)
- Official transcript from the most recent institution attended
- Delayed enrollment in post-secondary education
- Attends part-time for at least part of the academic year
- Works full-time (35 hours or more/week) while enrolled
- Is financially independent
- Has dependents other than a spouse
- Is a single parent
- Has other demands that make traditional education less feasible
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Major Requirements | 45 | |
EMGT 1500 | Fundamentals of Emergency Management | |
EMGT 1600 | Managing Natural, Man-made and Technological Disasters | |
EMGT 1710 | First Responder and Healthcare Coordination in High Impact Disasters | |
EMGT 2900 | Emergency Management Fundamentals Practicum | |
EMGT 3900 | Homeland Security Intermediate Practicum | |
EMGT 4760 | Emergency Management in Practice | |
EMGT 4770 | Emergency Management Homeland Security Exercise Design and Evaluation | |
EMGT 4810 | Emergency Management Homeland Security Technologies | |
EMGT 4830 | Computer Modeling for Emergency Planning and Management | |
EMGT 4800 | Emergency Management Capstone | |
SSI 2000 | Threat and Risk Assessment | |
SSI 3010 | Business Continuity and Impact Analysis | |
SSI 3300 | Integrated Risk Planning, Strategy and Compliance | |
SSI 4090 | Resilience, Recovery and Contingency | |
SSI 4500 | Financial & Regulatory Considerations in Risk Planning | |
| Completion of a minimum of 15 CEUs through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute | ||
| General electives | 40-43 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| EMGT 1500 | Fundamentals of Emergency Management | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| EMGT 1600 | Managing Natural, Man-made and Technological Disasters | 3 |
| EMGT 1710 | First Responder and Healthcare Coordination in High Impact Disasters | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| EMGT 4760 | Emergency Management in Practice | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| EMGT 4830 | Computer Modeling for Emergency Planning and Management | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| EMGT 2900 | Emergency Management Fundamentals Practicum | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| EMGT 4810 | Emergency Management Homeland Security Technologies | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| SSI 2000 | Threat and Risk Assessment | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| SSI 3010 | Business Continuity and Impact Analysis | 3 |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| EMGT 4770 | Emergency Management Homeland Security Exercise Design and Evaluation | 3 |
| SSI 4500 | Financial & Regulatory Considerations in Risk Planning | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| EMGT 3900 | Homeland Security Intermediate Practicum | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| SSI 3300 | Integrated Risk Planning, Strategy and Compliance | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| SSI 4090 | Resilience, Recovery and Contingency | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| CORE Requirement | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Fall 2 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Spring 2 | ||
| EMGT 4800 | Emergency Management Capstone | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
2+SLU programs are formal transfer agreements for students seeking an associate degree at a partner institution.