Master of Science

Emergency Management and Homeland Security

The Department of Emergency Management (EM) at Arkansas Tech University offers advanced study in the disciplines of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS).  Students will have the opportunity to study the emerging technology as well as the social, political, legal, and economic aspects of EMHS from the perspective of a practitioner as well as a scholar.   Graduates from the program are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for educated EMHS professionals in the private business sector, education, non-governmental organizations, and various government agencies and organizations at all levels-local, state, regional, national, and international.

This program may be completed online.

This degree offers a specialized program both for existing career professionals in the field, those seeking the academic foundation on which to build a career, and others who look to the Master’s Degree as the first step towards the eventual pursuit of a doctorate. 

The curriculum reflects the latest research and practical applications in the fields of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Associated emerging technologies and areas of concentration are integrated into the curriculum. The EMHS Program Director acts as faculty advisor to each student admitted to the EMHS degree program.

Unconditional Admission

Students are eligible to apply for unconditional admission to the Master of Science degree program in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) if they meet all of the following requirements. Additionally, all application credentials are examined by the Graduate Program Director and the Graduate Program Admission Committee when determining admission status.

  1. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.
  2. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
  3. Applicants must provide statement of intent which addresses career goals, interests in Graduate College and emergency management, and research interests. (500 word minimum)
  4. Applicants must provide a resume or vitae.
  5. Approval from the Program Director.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be possible when the grade point average is between 2.5 and 3.0. In addition, all application credentials are examined by a faculty committee from the EMHS Department to determine admission status. If a student was admitted conditionally based on grade point average, the condition will be met if upon completion of twelve (12) semester hours a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better is achieved.

After completion of the Research I course, students choose to pursue either an original research thesis or a practicum research project.  Students will select a thesis or practicum chair.  The chairperson will assist thesis students in building a thesis committee.  The Program Director will assist the student in designing a curriculum of study leading to the fulfillment of degree requirements. Additionally, the Program Director and the Graduate College will monitor the student's progress. Ultimately, it remains the student's responsibility to understand and to satisfy all degree requirements.

Late Admission

Priority deadline date for fall admission is March 1 and spring admission is October 1. Any student requesting admission for any academic term must have their documentation material processed for admission to the program as required by the Department of Emergency Management by the first day of the term requested. Documentation includes undergraduate transcript(s), a Statement of Intent and either a Resume or a Vitae. If processing cannot be completed, and approval given by the Program Director, the student will be rejected for admission for that term and must wait to enter the next academic term.

Degree Requirements

  1. The completion of 36 semester hours of graduate work is required, of which 18 semester hours must be at the 6000 level.

    Required Courses (18 hours)

    EMHS 6033 Foundation of Leadership
    EMHS 6063 Principles of Emergency Management
    EMHS 6093 Fundamentals of Homeland Security
    EMHS 6103 Research Design and Methods
    EMHS 6133 Ethical, Legal, and Political Considerations in Emergency Management and Homeland Security
    EMHS 6513 Technology for Comprehensive Emergency Management

    EMHS Electives (9 hours)

    Elective EMHS or non-EMHS graduate courses tailored to each student's interests and career objectives.

    Non-Thesis Option (9 hours)

    EMHS 6413 Capstone Research
    EMHS 6423 Professional Practical Experience & Project Development
    EMHS 6933 Research I

    Thesis Option (9 hours)

    EMHS 6123 Applied Data Analysis
    EMHS 6933 Research I
    EMHS 6943 Research II

  2. A cumulative grade point average of a 3.00 or better must be achieved in all graduate work attempted at Arkansas Tech University, with a maximum of six (6) hours of "C" grades. A student receiving more than six (6) hours of "C" or grades lower than "C" should refer to the section of the catalog on Academic Probation and Dismissal.
  3. The master's degree program must be completed within six (6) years from the time of admission to the graduate program.
  4. A minimum of 27 semester hours of graduate coursework completed in residence at Arkansas Tech University.

Candidacy

Graduate students admitted unconditionally must apply for candidacy to the selected degree program upon completion of twelve (12) graduate credit hours. Students admitted conditionally cannot apply for candidacy until all conditions assigned at the time of admission to graduate study have been removed.

Upon the completion of twelve (12) graduate hours, a hold will be placed on the students' record until a candidacy form has been approved by the Graduate Dean. Failure to apply for candidacy will result in the hold remaining on the students' record, and an inability to register for subsequent coursework. 

Students who have filed a candidacy form but do not enroll or receive graduate credit for one (1) academic year must submit a new candidacy form upon being readmitted into the same graduate program.  If admitted into a different academic program, students are not required to submit a new candidacy form until twelve (12) graduate credits have been accumulated within the new program.

Application for Graduation

In addition to satisfying all degree requirements, a candidate for a degree must file an Application for Graduation online or at the Registrar's Office.  Students must apply for graduation upon completion of twelve (12) graduate credit hours.

Special Conditions of Graduate Credit

Graduate Credit Taken Prior to Admission to Arkansas Tech University

A maximum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit with a grade point average of "B" or better may be transferred from an accredited graduate school if deemed appropriate to the graduate program by the head of the student's major department and the Graduate College Dean. Students must send a written request to the head of their major department to petition an acceptance of the transfer credit prior to requesting admission to candidacy to the graduate program. Graduate credit earned six (6) years prior to the completion date of all degree requirements may not be applied toward the degree without the approval of the appropriate program director and the Graduate College Dean. Credits earned by correspondence courses or for remedial purposes will not apply toward the graduate degree. No undergraduate course may be repeated for graduate credit.

Graduate Credit Taken After Admission to Arkansas Tech University

If after admission to graduate study, a student wishes to take a course at another institution to count toward degree requirements at Arkansas Tech University, the student must, in advance of enrollment, obtain written approval from the program director and the Graduate College Dean.