Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Cybersecurity Policy and Management), MA
Computer, Disaster Management, Emergency Preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Information, Intelligence Analyst, Public Safety, Technology, Terrorism, systems
Use your passion for protecting critical infrastructure to become a positive change agent in an increasingly digital world. You'll gain expertise in managing cyber risk and mitigating threats to protected information and systems in this degree program, where you'll learn from world-renowned faculty alongside a cohort of exceptional peers.
Cybersecurity is an important tool for addressing threat and vulnerability issues that cut across multiple domains. ASU ranks No. 2 for best graduate homeland security and emergency management program by U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
The cybersecurity policy and management concentration within the Master of Arts program in emergency management and homeland security provides you with knowledge, skills and abilities that enable you to assume leadership, key management and other key operational positions in public sector agencies or related private sector organizations. These organizations have responsibilities related to managing cybersecurity hazards in the area of homeland security, emergency management, critical infrastructure protection, risk management and other related fields.
This concentration is particularly well-suited if you are a professional in emergency management, homeland security, critical infrastructure protection, hazard mitigation, and planning and emergency preparedness who does not seek nor require highly technical training in cybersecurity (beyond a basic competency level) but does have major operational responsibilities that pertain to cyber-related vulnerabilities. This program is a distinct contribution: It provides education and training on cyber policy and management issues for general administrators.
The program emphasizes giving you a blended approach of practical knowledge and broader integrative thinking about the complex societal challenges of today's world. The program's core values of collaboration between practitioners, faculty and students; public service; commitment to diversity; critical thinking; and evidence-based assessment are all central to promoting informed and effective leadership.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (PAF 593)
Required Core (18 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Electives or Research (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
CRJ 511 Applied Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
CRJ 554 Homeland Security (3)
PAF 551 Hazards Governance (3)
PAF 552 Integrated Emergency Management (3)
PAF 558 Program Evaluation for Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3)
PAF 559 GIS for Hazards Analysis (3)
PAF 563 U.S. Cyber and Information Security Policy (3)
PAF 576 Information Assurance Principles (3)
PAF 593 Applied Project (3)
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology or criminal justice, public administration or public service, sociology or social work, public safety or fire service management, parks and recreation management, applied sciences or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- professional resume
- written statement
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should be from faculty or other academic staff who can evaluate the applicant's academic performance, or from professional sources such as a supervisor.
The resume should show current employment in an organization in this field or at least two years prior professional experience in emergency management or a related field, or a bachelor's degree in a related area.
The written statement must be at least one page in length and must describe the applicant's educational and career goals and long-term professional development strategy.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Graduates with a master's degree in emergency management and homeland security with the cybersecurity policy and management concentration have a wide range of career opportunities, and the management of cyber-related hazards cuts across a broad set of professional areas. They serve and promote stronger and more resilient communities across public, private or nonprofit sector organizations.
Career examples include:
- corporate operations crisis manager
- corporate operations security manager
- emergency management director
- emergency preparedness coordinator or specialist
- information security analyst
- logistics coordinator or manager
- security operations center manager
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
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Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
