Emergency Management and Homeland Security, MA
Cybersecurity, Disaster, Emergency Operations Center, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hazards, Planning, Public Safety, Resilience, Risk Management, Terrorism
ASU ranks No. 2 for best graduate homeland security and emergency management programs by U.S. News & World Report, 2025. Enroll in this prestigious degree program to gain expertise in managing risks, promoting community resilience and ensuring public safety in response to complex threats, such as cybersecurity and natural hazards.
The Master of Arts program in emergency management and homeland security develops you as a current and future practitioner to be a part of the next generation of leaders in these fields.
The program brings 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; and critical thinking and evidence-based assessment are all central to promoting informed and effective leadership.
One of the distinct features of this program is its breadth of content coverage. The program offers you five distinct concentration areas, listed below. These subject area specializations underscore the program's commitment to strategic thinking about current and future challenges. Likewise, the program has a number of learning opportunities from an international perspective.
- biosecurity and threat management
- community resilience
- cybersecurity policy and management
- emergency management
- homeland security
When you enroll in this program, you're encouraged to choose one of these area specializations. You can enroll in the degree program without declaring a concentration; however, selecting one is advisable because doing so assists in developing the knowledge, skills and abilities pertinent to your intended career path.
- 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) Electives (12 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 593 Applied Project (3)
For electives, students should see the academic unit for the approved course 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, environmental sciences or geography, public health 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.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate application and application fee
- official transcripts
- evidence of current employment in an organization in this field, or at least two years prior professional experience in this or a related field or a bachelor's degree in a related area
- two letters of recommendation
- a written statement
- 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 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 written statement should be at least one page in length and 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.
| 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 with have an array of career opportunities, including:
- cybersecurity specialist
- disaster recovery specialist
- emergency manager
- exerciser and trainer
- hazard mitigation officer
- homeland security specialist
- intelligence analyst
- planner
- public health emergency preparedness officer
Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
School of Public Affairs
|
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.
