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Emergency Management, B.S.

Saint Louis University’s online Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to administer aid and promote resilience in their communities during disasters large and small. SLU’s program takes a multi-disciplinary approach that focuses on all sectors recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security. 

This career-centric curriculum covers the core phases of emergency management, from mitigation and preparedness to response and recovery. Students will learn from instructors with knowledge of the field and professional experience, including practitioners who continue to operate within one of the emergency management sectors. The knowledge and tools students will acquire are applicable in both the private and public sectors.

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 offered each year through 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 about the SPS faculty.

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 met 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.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Undergraduate Tuition
Standard Tuition $650
Active Duty/Veteran (TA eligible or GI Bill); First Responders $295
BJC Partnership $333

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

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 Office of Student Financial Services.

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.

  1. Graduates will be able to comprehend emergency management and homeland security principles that impact local, regional, national and global communities.
  2. Graduates will be able to examine the professional role of the emergency manager.
  3. Graduates will be able to evaluate methods used to develop policies for emergency management and homeland security.
  4. Graduates will be able to describe the interconnectedness of agencies and organizations involved in emergency management and homeland security.
  5. 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
Upon admission, a new student must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first-term coursework.
 
The School for Professional Studies welcomes adult learners seeking an undergraduate education after life circumstances have interrupted their educational journeys. Adult life circumstances, for the purposes of admission, would include individuals with at least one of the following characteristics:
 
  • 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

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Major Requirements
EMGT 1500Fundamentals of Emergency Management3
EMGT 1600Managing Natural, Man-made, and Technological Disasters3
EMGT 1710First Responder Coordination in High Impact Disasters3
EMGT 2900Emergency Management Fundamentals Practicum3
EMGT 3900Homeland Security Intermediate Practicum3
EMGT 4760Emergency Management in Practice3
EMGT 4770Emergency Management Homeland Security Exercise Design and Evaluation3
EMGT 4810Emergency Management Homeland Security Technologies3
EMGT 4830Computer Modeling for Emergency Planning and Management3
EMGT 4800Emergency Management Capstone3
SSI 2000Threat and Risk Assessment3
SSI 3010Business Continuity and Impact Analysis3
SSI 3300Integrated Risk Planning, Strategy and Compliance3
SSI 4090Resilience, Recovery and Contingency3
SSI 4500Financial & Regulatory Considerations in Risk Planning3
Completion of a minimum of 15 CEUs through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute
General Electives40-43
Total Credits120

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA and receive a C or better in all major classes.

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits12
Summer
CORE Requirement 3
EMGT 2900 Emergency Management Fundamentals Practicum 3
 Credits6
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
 Credits12
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
 Credits12
Summer
CORE Requirement 3
EMGT 3900 Homeland Security Intermediate Practicum 3
 Credits6
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
 Credits12
Spring
Spring 1  
CORE Requirement 3
CORE Requirement 3
Spring 2  
SSI 4090 Resilience, Recovery and Contingency 3
General Elective 3
 Credits12
Summer
CORE Requirement 3
CORE Requirement 3
 Credits6
Year Four
Fall
Fall 1  
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
Fall 2  
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Credits12
Spring
Spring 1  
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
Spring 2  
EMGT 4800 Emergency Management Capstone 3
General Elective 3
 Credits12
Summer
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits120

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.