Not Applicable

The Emergency and Disaster Management degree is designed to provide students with graduate level knowledge and associated critical thinking/decision making involved in planning, management, relief, and recovery for, in, and from public crises. As a core of study, students will be exposed to the history, theory, planning, management, response, relief, recovery, economics, and specific cases associated with public emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes. Included in the curriculum are natural, technical, and human-induced crises.

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• Develop a research proposal for emergency and disaster management and report the findings, including an estimation of economic impacts.
• Select, evaluate, and prioritize research projects and proposals in community preparedness and emergency response.
• Organize emergency management functions and activities using contemporary emergency and disaster management concepts and federal guidelines.
• Formulate plans that clearly differentiate disaster response actions including recovery operations, and their funding, from routine emergency operations.
• Design and promote inter-disciplinary training to assure integration between all aspects of an Emergency Operations function including: planning and pre-event preparedness; threat and vulnerability assessments; capability and capacity evaluation; public policy issues; mitigation strategies; exercises and training; program evaluation.
• Develop plans and policies that ensure the strong organizational and personal relationships necessary to be able to work with the key Federal Agencies to ensure Interagency cooperation at all levels during any large scale incident.
• Formulate policies procedures and protocols to allow seamless agency integration in both small and large Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) assuring compliance with the National Response Plan, National Incident Management System.
• Perform economic and social analyses necessary to provide funding recommendations to appropriate fiscal authorities develop and manage budgets.

Comprehensive Exam: The last step in the pursuit of an MA in Emergency and Disaster Management is passing the comprehensive examination .  The examination ensures that the student has mastered the research skills and substantive content expected of a professional in the Emergency and Disaster Management.  EM700 includes an intensive review of the textbooks, lesson handouts, other readings, course notes, etc., from the student’s required, core, major, and elective courses.  The questions answered in the comprehensive examination will be tailored for each student based on their MA program and concentration.

Comprehensive Exam Objectives:
• Assess the direct and indirect economic costs of natural, technological, and manmade disasters.
• Describe in detail the various components of pre-event preparedness: threat and vulnerability assessments, capability and capacity evaluation, public policy issues, mitigation strategies, planning, exercises and training, and program evaluation.
• Contrast disaster response and recovery operations with routine emergency operations.
• Organize emergency management functions, organizations, and activities using contemporary emergency and disaster management concepts and terms.

Practicum (alternative to Comprehensive Exam): This course will involve a major research paper that demonstrates understanding of the program objectives. The paper will be 45-50 pages and demonstrate understanding of social science research methodology. Students electing this option must use this as one of the graduate electives. The student’s work on a master's research study or practicum is carried out under the direction of an APUS professor who supervises both intellectual content and format of the study. Students are urged to consult with their professor early in the study process regarding both the subject and the general plan for investigation or creative activities.  Designated style manuals in the department where the thesis is being conducted shall be used in all master's research studies. 

Comprehensive Exam Results:
In 2008, approximately 97% passed the exam and 3% failed.  83% passed "with distinction".

Practicum Objectives:
• Apply classic problem statement, hypothesis, data collection, analysis, synthesis, conclusions, and recommendations research structure to a real, significant problem in the field of Emergency and Disaster Management.
• Apply a systems analysis or other comparably powerful approach approved by instructor to Disaster and Emergency Management.
• Relate the multidimensional impact of local, state, and federal disaster response on the economy, public systems, national and local infrastructure, and the environment.
• Understand the myriad of political, regulatory, and legal issues surrounding disaster and emergency management.
• Describe and assess the National Emergency Powers.
• Demonstrate the qualitative and/or quantitative research skill of the student.
• Contribution to the disaster and emergency management body of knowledge.

Practicum Results:
In 2008, approximately 89%  passed the practicum and 11% failed.

Not Applicable