In an age of dense populations, increased terrorism, unpredictable weather and high public expectations, the need for well-educated practitioners with the ability to handle such a dynamic and complex profession is rapidly increasing.

What is emergency management?
Emergency management explores the integral components of preparing for and recovering from man-made and natural disasters and crises. As a profession, emergency management emphasizes how professionals work to help communities and organizations prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from disasters. UCF’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security undergraduate and graduate programs provide an in-depth understanding of the skills and techniques needed for individuals entering the field or seeking promotion in emergency and crisis management.

What are some of the skills I will learn in this program?
Students will learn how to lead and manage effectively through communication, partnership and collaboration; utilize an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving; mitigate the potential hazards of natural and man-made disasters; develop plans and strategies to respond to and recover from disasters; integrate technology and research into emergency management; and demonstrate environmental, community-sensitive and culturally competent practices.

What courses will I take?

Undergraduate Courses

  • Community Resiliency and Sustainability
  • Disaster Response and Recovery
  • Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness

Graduate Courses

  • Managing Emergencies and Crises
  • Hazard Analysis and Disaster Planning
  • Cross-Sectoral Governance

Careers

Where can I work with an emergency management degree?

Emergency management and homeland security programs prepare graduates to operate as highly trained practitioners in private, public and nonprofit sector organizations.

Organizations that employ graduates with an academic background in emergency management and/or homeland security include city, county and state offices of emergency management; public health departments; public school district offices; state and federal agencies; entertainment companies and theme parks; and private organizations, such as some healthcare facilities, airports, and defense and technology firms.

Job titles could be crisis management leader; emergency manager; public health and medical preparedness planner; geographic information system analysis coordinator; disaster assistance specialist; border patrol agent; or emergency preparedness planner.

Download our Knights to New Hire packet for more information on starting a career in emergency management.

$74,590

median annual pay for emergency managers in 2019.

+5%

expected market growth for emergency managers between 2018 and 2028.

CEM

a bachelor’s degree in emergency management reduces the experience requirement for the Certified Emergency Manager certification.

Alumni

Where Our Graduates Work in Central Florida

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  • Seminole County Office of Emergency Management
  • Osceola County Office of Emergency Management
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
  • East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Orlando Health