Emergency Management and Homeland Security (Biosecurity and Threat Management), MA
Cybersecurity, Disaster Management, Hazards, Health, Planning, Public Safety, Risk Management, Security, Terrorism, public health
Biological threats, including germ warfare, deadly viruses and other natural hazards, are a growing concern, and the world needs experts like you to help keep societies safe. Learn how to manage and mitigate these threats in this top-ranked degree program.
ASU ranks No. 2 for best graduate homeland security and emergency management program by U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
Biosecurity and threat management is an important and emerging area related to the intersection of homeland security, public health and risk management. It addresses a distinct set of hazard and threat management issues related to bioterrorism, agroterrorism and communicable disease threats associated with disaster incidents, as well as biodefense overall.
The biosecurity and threat management concentration within the Master of Arts program in emergency management and homeland security is designed to assist your professional development aimed at meeting these types of current and emerging challenges.
You serve and promote stronger and more resilient communities across public, private or nonprofit sector organizations. The program emphasizes a blended approach of practical knowledge and broader integrative thinking about the complex societal challenges of today's world. Its core values of collaboration between practitioners, faculty and students; public service; commitment to diversity; and 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) Elective or Research (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
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 564 Health Aspects of Crises, Emergencies, Disasters (3)
PAF 575 U.S. Biodefense Policy and Management (3)
PAF 581 Bioterrorism and Health Intelligence (3)
PAF 593 Applied Project (3)
Students must select two courses from the concentration list.
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 another closely 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 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- a written statement
- evidence of current employment
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Admission Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The written statement must be at least one page in length and describe the applicant's educational and career goals and long-term professional development strategy.
Applicants must provide evidence of current employment in an organization in this field; at least two years of prior professional experience in this or a related field; or a bachelor's degree in a related area.
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.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | Rolling | |
| Session B | Online | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | Rolling | |
| Session B | Online | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | Rolling |
Graduates of this program are well prepared to pursue key leadership and management positions at a variety of public sector agencies at the federal, state and local levels and in related organizations. There are also private-sector job options, such as in the hospital sector, in health care and in security.
Career examples include:
- biosafety officer
- biosecurity monitor
- biosecurity officer
- biosecurity specialist
- bioterrorism researcher
- data scientist
School of Public Affairs
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UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
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.
