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Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration

The Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration (EMER) degree program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is an entirely online program that will help students develop the leadership and critical thinking skills needed to build stronger organizations and disaster-resilient communities. The program will educate you in the interdisciplinary research and theory of disaster management as you create a project that directly strengthens and benefits your organization or community. This program is offered only through College of Continuing and Professional Education at a higher tuition rate.

Admission Criteria

1. Obtain admission to the graduate program by completing and forwarding the official CSULB graduate admissions forms and fees to the University's Office of Enrollment Services. Each applicant for graduate standing shall have completed an appropriate baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.

2. A resume and a letter of intent that includes a summary of the applicant's reasons for seeking a master's degree in Emergency Services Administration. Both documents must be sent directly to the Department's Graduate Advisor.

3. Three letters of recommendation from persons able to testify to the applicant's academic ability, preferably from former professors or immediate supervisors. These letters must be sent directly to the Department's Graduate Advisor.

4. Have at least a 3.0 grade-point average in the last 60 semester units attempted. A student whose overall grade point average is less than 3.0, but who presents acceptable evidence of professional potential either through recent academic performance and/or experiential background may be admitted by special action of the Department's Graduate Committee.

5. Be accepted by the department and graduate advisor for admission to the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

1. Satisfaction of the general University requirements for advancement to candidacy, including successful completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR);

2. Completion of all core courses;

3. Maintenance of "B" average (3.0 GPA) in all work completed in graduate program;

4. Approval of Emergency Management Graduate Faculty and Director of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Health and Human Services.  

Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 32 units of approved graduate courses to include:

1. Take all of the following courses (23 units):

  • EMER 500 Information Literacy and Practical Writing Applications for Emergency Management (1)
    Corequisites: EMER 502.
  • EMER 506 Emergency Planning and Management (3)
    Prerequisites: None.
  • EMER 530 Applied Research Methods and Analytical Techniques for Decision Support and Innovation (4)
    Prerequisites: EMER 506.
  • EMER 540 Emergency Management Organizations: Constructs for Influencing Complex Systems (3)
    Prerequisites: None.
  • EMER 548 Risk, Crisis, and Inter-Agency Communications (3)
    Prerequisites: EMER 500.
  • EMER 661 Emergency Management Leadership Across the Megacommunity (3)
    Prerequisites: EMER 500, EMER 506, EMER 530 and 540.
  • EMER 671 Strategic Planning and Integrative Practices in Emergency Services Administration (3)
    Prerequisites: EMER 500, EMER 506, EMER 530, EMER 540, and EMER 548

2. Take two additional elective courses selected in consultation with a faculty advisor (6 units).

3. To satisfy the culminating activity requirement (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program), students must earn at least three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity. Take all of the following courses as noted (4 units):

Project Students take both the following courses:

  • EMER 694A Project Proposal Defense: Strategic Planning and Integrative Practices in Emergency Services Administration (1)
    Prerequisites: EMER 671 and Advancement to Candidacy.
  • EMER 694B Project: Strategic Planning and Integrative Practices in Emergency Services Administration (3)
    Prerequisites: EMER 671.

Thesis Students take the following course (Note: To satisfy the culminating activity requirement (thesis, project, or comprehensive examination dependent upon the program), students must earn at least three (3) units and no more than six (6) units related to the completion of the culminating activity):

  • EMER 698 Thesis (1-4)
    Prerequisites: Advancement to Candidacy.

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