Master of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

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 or graduate cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
3. Applicants must provide a statement of intent which addresses career goals, interests in graduate education, emergency management, and research interests. (300 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.

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, Professional Studies, and Student Affairs Administration 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 Leadership and Management
   EMHS 6063 Principles of Emergency Management
   EMHS 6093 Principles 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.

   Comprehensive Examination Option (9 hours)

   EMHS 6933 Research I
   EMHS 6413 Capstone
   EMHS Elective - three (3) hours

   Thesis Option (9 hours)

   EMHS 6933 Research I
   EMHS 6123 Applied Data Analysis
   EMHS 6943 Master's Thesis

   Practicum Option (9 hours)

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

2. After completion of the Research I course, students choose to pursue either an original research thesis, a practicum research project, or the comprehensive exam.  Students selecting the comprehensive exam will take an additional three (3) hour elective; student pursuing a thesis or practicum research project, will select a chair to guide their research work and either engage with the data collection and analysis (thesis) or professional practice (practicum) before completing their research work.  EMHS faculty advisors will assist students in designing a curriculum of study leading to the fulfillment of degree requirements.  Additionally, the Program Director and the Graduate College will monitor the students' progress.  Ultimately, it remains the students' responsibility to understand and to satisfy all degree requirements.
3. A cumulated 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.
4. The master's degree program must be completed within six (6) years from the time of admission to the graduate program.
5. A minimum of 27 semester hours of graduate coursework must be completed in residence at Arkansas Tech University.

Risk Management in Higher Education Graduate Certificate  

1. Required Courses (15 hours)

   EMHS 6023 Risk and Vulnerability Assessment for Business and Industry
   EMHS 6063 Principles of Emergency Management
   EMHS 6133 Ethical, Legal, and Political Considerations in Emergency Management and Homeland Security
   SAA 6053 Legal Issues for Student Affairs Administrators
   SAA 6143 Administration in Student Affairs

Degree Works

Degree Works is a software tool utilized by Arkansas Tech University designed to detail academic progression. It allows both students and advisors to monitor course progress towards degree completion and clearly indicates which course requirements have been met as well as how courses transfer into a program. Transfer courses must be approved through the use of a substitution/waiver form available via the Registrar for progress to display correctly within Degree Works. 

Degree Works will display course progression based on the current program of study, but a "what-if" scenario can be generated for any program to see how progression looks with the courses currently completed and in progress. Note that if you have applied to and been admitted to a graduate program while still finishing your undergraduate program, Degree Works will show your new program of study in the graduate program and you would have to generate a "what-if" query to see your undergraduate degree progress.

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 Graduate College.  Students must apply for graduation upon completion of fifteen (15) 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.