Academics: Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report two years running, UCF’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security programs prepare you to act when everything is on the line. We launched Florida’s first BA and BS in Emergency Management — and still set the pace with a faculty that’s both the most published and most cited in the field, backed by multimillion-dollar research grants and strong name recognition at FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

Here you’ll master an all-hazards, whole-community approach, learning how to unite government, private industry, nonprofits, and faith organizations before, during, and after disasters, whether the threat is a hurricane, wildfire, cyberattack or pandemic. Coursework comes to life through realistic simulations, FEMA certifications, internships and capstones that often turn into job offers before graduation.

Study fully online, in hybrid format, or face-to-face at UCF Downtown, where you’ll learn from leading scholars and seasoned practitioners. Join the next generation of crisis leaders making an impact at local agencies, international NGOs, FEMA and beyond.

Ready to build a safer, more resilient world? Start your journey at UCF.

Degree Programs

Discover undergraduate and graduate Nonprofit Management programs tailored to your ambitions. With flexible face-to-face, fully online or mixed-mode options at UCF Downtown, you’ll gain the skills to lead mission-driven organizations and drive social change in Central Florida’s vibrant nonprofit sector and beyond.

Undergraduate Degrees

Emergency Management, BA/BS
Emergency Management, Minor
Emergency and Crisis Management, Undergraduate Certificate

Graduate Degrees

Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Graduate Certificate
Master of Emergency and Crisis Management (MECM)

Whether you're launching your career or leveling up, scholarships can make your path more affordable. UCF is here to help. As a student in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, you’ll have access to exclusive awards through the College of Community Innovation and Education.

Ann McCormick Simpson Endowed Scholarship
Augustin Military to Public Service Transition Scholarship
Emergency Management and Homeland Security – Graduate
Emergency Management and Homeland Security – Undergraduate
John L. Mica Public Service Scholarship
Travis M. Leslie Emergency Management Endowment Fund

Apply through Access to Opportunities (A2O), UCF’s scholarship platform that matches you with college-specific and university-wide awards. Complete one general application to be considered. The application window typically opens each spring.

Ready to apply?

Student Experience

Learning how to lead through chaos takes more than a textbook. That’s why UCF’s Emergency Management programs are built on action. From real-time Emergency Operations Center simulations to the hands-on deployment of our Mobile Resilience Hub, you’ll learn to adapt and respond to evolving threats.

Through the Emergency Management Student Association (EMSA), you’ll connect with peers and professionals, attend national conferences and build your network before graduation. Capstone projects and internships with agencies like the City of Orlando give you direct experience addressing the challenges of disaster response, recovery and resilience. And with opportunities to collaborate on research with the nation’s most cited scholars in emergency management, you’ll help shape the future of the field while building an impressive resume.

Through every simulation, project and partnership, you’re taking one step closer to becoming the person people will look to when chaos strikes.

Emergency Management Student Association

Joining the Emergency Management Student Association (EMSA) is your chance to turn classroom learning into real-world readiness. Designed to bridge theory and practice, EMSA connects students with hands-on experiences, guest speakers and professional networking.

Members have participated in high-impact events like full-scale disaster drills at Orlando International Airport, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into emergency response coordination. Whether you’re planning to work in local response or global resilience, EMSA helps you build connections, sharpen your skills, and step confidently into the field.

Internships

In emergency management, every decision counts — and internships are your proving ground. By stepping into day-to-day operations at local agencies, hospitals, and nonprofits, you’ll sharpen technical skills, learn how response teams work under pressure, and build a professional network that pays off long after graduation.

Undergraduate Internships

If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, your first real step into the field may be through your required internship. This first-hand experience with local government agencies, hospitals or nonprofits allow you to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.

You might craft emergency response plans with Seminole County Emergency Management or support preparedness initiatives at Orlando Health. Already working as a first responder or in a related role? You may qualify for a waiver based on professional experience.

A dedicated internship coordinator will help you secure a placement aligned with your goals, ensuring you graduate with both experience and connections. These opportunities prepare students for high-demand careers like emergency management planner, logistics coordinator or public information officer.

Graduate Internships

For students in UCF’s Master of Emergency and Crisis Management (MECM) program, internships are a powerful way to turn theory into real-world impact. Unless you already have two or more years of professional experience in the field, completing an internship is a graduation requirement.

These immersive opportunities help you build leadership skills, grow your professional network, and stand out in the job market. Some students take part in the prestigious City of Orlando Fellowship, a competitive placement that brings you face-to-face with the city’s emergency management leaders. Others work with agencies like FEMA, Orange County, or nonprofit organizations where they contribute to policy development, crisis communication, and cross-sector coordination.

Our internship coordinator, Edlira Dursun will help you find the right fit based on your interests and career goals. Whether you’re just starting out or making a career shift, internships offer the experience, mentorship and momentum to lead in any crisis.

Student Research Opportunities

Emergency management is an evolving science, and at UCF, you’ll help write the next chapter. Working alongside nationally ranked faculty who are also industry giants, students dig into live data, explore cutting-edge technology and turn research findings into solutions that keep communities safer.

Undergraduate Research
If you’re an undergraduate looking to dive deeper, the Honors Undergraduate Thesis program lets you design and complete an original study under close faculty mentorship. Over two to four semesters, you’ll collect data, defend your findings, and publish your thesis in UCF’s STARS Repository—giving you a peer-reviewed credential before you graduate. HUT projects build skills that stand out on grad-school and job applications.

Graduate Research
Graduate students work shoulder-to-shoulder with the field’s most cited scholars, often co-authoring articles and presenting at national conferences. Some current faculty projects include:

HazardAware.org: a parcel-level mitigation tool that helps households and planners determine annual resilience investments.
Resilience Hubs & Network Analysis: mapping how agencies, nonprofits, and faith groups collaborate before and after disasters.
Post-Disaster Policy Studies: comparing recovery plans across multiple events to uncover best practices.
NSF Smart-Tech Risk Communication: a $1.2 million NSF-funded project leveraging smart devices to improve warnings and reduce loss in Central Florida.

From field deployments that gather real-time storm data to scholarship on teaching and learning in emergency management, you’ll gain hands-on research experience, build a robust portfolio and graduate ready to lead using evidence-based practices.

Ready to join a research team? Talk with your faculty advisor to get started.

Capstone Projects

Master of Emergency and Crisis Management (MECM) students culminate their studies in a dynamic spring capstone course, where they confront the most pressing challenges facing emergency managers.

This integrative experience synthesizes knowledge and skills from the MECM program, applying advanced expertise in policy research, strategic planning and crisis response to real-world issues for local organizations. Collaborating with partners like the City of Orlando or Orange County, students develop innovative solutions, such as disaster preparedness plans or resilience strategies, building robust professional portfolios. These projects showcase their ability to lead in high-stakes environments, enhancing career prospects in roles like emergency manager or policy analyst.

In addition to sharpening practical skills, the capstone cements UCF’s reputation for producing graduates who are profession ready to drive impactful change in emergency management.

UCF’s Emergency Management programs are powered by strong partnerships, high-impact research and a deeply engaged advisory board. Our collaborations with agencies like Seminole County, Orlando Health, and the American Red Cross turn classrooms into launchpads — giving students real-world experience through internships, capstone projects and field visits to Emergency Operations Centers.

At the same time, our faculty lead nationally recognized research in areas like hazard mitigation, resilience hubs, post-disaster policy analysis and smart risk communication. Guided by an advisory board of seasoned emergency management professionals, our programs stay closely connected to the evolving needs of the field.

Whether you're a student preparing to lead in crisis or a community organization seeking to strengthen preparedness, we’re ready to partner with you to build safer, more resilient communities.

Resilience & Recovery

Hazards & Mitigation

Policy & Governance

Communication & Technology

Advisory Board

Our distinguished Advisory Board elevates UCF’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security program as a global leader.

Comprising top experts from government, nonprofits and private sectors, the board shapes our pioneering curriculum to ensure it remains cutting-edge and relevant. Their real-world insights drive innovation, aligning coursework with the evolving demands of crisis leadership.

From refining FEMA-aligned certifications to integrating advanced geospatial tools, their guidance positions our graduate program as the nation’s No. 1, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. This prestigious board not only enhances academic rigor but also forges connections to high-impact roles, empowering graduates to lead transformative change.

Meet Our Advisory Board

View Emergency Management Advisory Board Members

Service to Service Initiative

Ready to lead after military life? UCF’s Service to Service initiative helps veterans turn their experience into public service careers that make a difference. Launching in Fall 2025, this unique program — one of just 12 in the nation and the only one in the Southeast — connects participants with graduate degrees in emergency management, public administration, nonprofit leadership, public policy, and urban planning.

As a Service to Service Fellow, you’ll access scholarships, GI Bill support, career coaching and mentorship, plus powerful networking opportunities through partners like The Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans. With support from UCF’s Veterans Academic Resource Center and a campus culture that ranks No. 8 in the nation for Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans, you’ll be set to serve your community in new ways.

In the News

Claire Connolly Knox receiving Impact Award

UCF Emergency Management Professor, Public Administration Alum Honored for Public Service Contributions

Claire Connolly Knox and Kathryn Valentine ’16 were recognized for their work in the field of emergency management during the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s inaugural Awards Ceremony Gala...

UCF Emergency Management Program Paves the Way for Alum’s Lockheed Martin Career

Fueled by a lifelong drive to help people, Ron Hawks ’12 recalls his journey from campus to corporate leadership...

UCF students in the Emergency Management program

UCF Graduate Programs Reach New Heights in U.S. News Rankings Through Research Excellence, Impactful Community Engagement

UCF’s emergency management program ranks No. 1 in the nation, and programs in education and public affairs climbed in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools rankings...

Emergency Management and Homeland Security