Bachelors degree in homeland security and emergency management

Program Overview

Protect and secure communities from threats and disasters

In our relevant Emergency Management & Homeland Security degree program curriculum, you'll gain exposure to emergency management, homeland security, risk management/threat assessment, safety and security planning, and related subjects, preparing you for leadership in a variety of settings.

Whether you want to enter the field, build on your experiences, or lay a strong foundation for graduate school, an Emergency Management & Homeland Security degree is a great choice for you.

Have 24 hours of technical credits? Check out Franklin's Public Safety Management & Leadership degree program!

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at our Main Campus. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

120 Semester Hours

Fundamental General Education

English Composition

ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competence necessary for conducting and presenting research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all of their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of good writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of a documented research paper.

Mathematics

MATH 215 - Statistical Concepts (4)

This course introduces the student to statistics with business applications. The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics included are: measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion; graphical displays of data; linear regression; basic probability concepts; binomial and normal probability distributions; confidence intervals; and hypothesis testing. These topics will be covered using a basic knowledge of algebra and Microsoft Excel. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).

Choose either MATH 140 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite. Course can count as a University Elective.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

POSC 204 - American Government (3)

An overview of the structure and function of the American governmental system, including the roles of the President, Congress, the Supreme Court, the news media, public opinion, and public interest groups in the political system.

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Psychology, or Sociology disciplines.

Science

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

Arts & Humanities

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education

PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course introduces students to the Franklin University community and provides strategies for successful transition to and participation in that community. Topics include University resources and procedures, strategies for advancing communication skills, the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments, and the development of an academic and career plan.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and public speaking.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This public-speaking course emphasizes the fundamentals of extemporaneous speaking. Skill-building activities and assignments focus on research, organization, reasoning, style and delivery of presentations as well as listening and audience engagement.

COMM 107 - Intro to Web Presentation & Publishing (1)

This course is an introduction to the use of Open Source Content Management Systems (CMS) for creating Web sites. It will provide students with the basic knowledge required to design, build, and maintain an informational Web site.

OR COMM 205 - Professional Communication (2)

In this course students will learn how to apply principles of intelligent visual design to professional communication and self-presentation. The focus will be on helping students reframe how to look outward to the professional world, and how to get professionals to view them as great employees and collaborators. How do you seek information to better understand organizations and professional opportunities? How do you present yourself to employers or prospective clients? Throughout the course students will receive professional mentoring and participate in an informational interview. Students will enhance their skills in impression management and communication through social media such as Linked In, blogs, and digital portfolios. Each assignment is tailored to fit the students? professional goals and career path. This course is intended for all academic majors.

PF 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)

This course focuses on using spreadsheets to solve business applications.

ENG 220 - Research Writing: Exploring Professional Identities (4)

This is an intermediate course focusing on the composition of research papers. Students in this course prepare to be active participants in professional discourse communities by examining and practicing the writing conventions associated with their own fields of study and work. By calling attention to the conventions of disciplinary writing, the course also prepares students for upper-division college writing and the special conventions of advanced academic discourse. Course activities include three extended research papers, semi-formal writing addressing interdisciplinary communication, and readings fostering critical engagement with disciplinary conversations.

Major Area Required

CJAD 340 - Evidence Based Practice & Research (4)

This innovative approach to research describes best practices and data driven solutions in criminal justice research including quantitative, qualitative, and program evaluation research. Students will be good consumers of research and will have the fundamental knowledge necessary to evaluate research studies, evaluate their value toward their field of interest, and evaluate their usefulness for making sound decisions in the field.

HRM 302 - Training & Development (4)

This course covers the theories and techniques of training and development from strategic and operational perspectives. Emphasis is placed on employee needs assessment, program design, implementation and evaluation. Learning theories and long-term development for global competitiveness are discussed.

PUAD 305 - Introduction to Public Administration (4)

Students are introduced to the field and profession of public administration. Students learn to think and act as ethical public administration professionals by developing a broad understanding of the political and organizational environment in which public administrators work and by applying fundamental analytical, decision- making, and communication skills. The professional knowledge and skills explored in the course provide a foundation for subsequent public administration courses.

PUAD 420 - Government & Nonprofit Budgeting (4)

Students learn fundamental budgeting, accounting, and financial management concepts and techniques necessary for planning, analysis, and decision making in government and nonprofit organizations. Students also examine the competing values and politics that underlie and impact the budget process and financial decisions. Finally, students apply skills for effectively communicating financial analysis methods and conclusions with colleagues, elected officials, the media, and the public.

PUAD 495 - Public Administration Capstone (4)

The capstone course is a practicum in which students analyze an important administrative problem relevant for a government or nonprofit organization. Students create an administrative action plan for addressing their chosen administrative problem by integrating concepts and skills learned in the public administration program and the student's specialization area.

SEMT 322 - Ethics & Leadership in Public Safety Agencies (4)

This course will study ethics and leadership theories in the context of public safety agencies. Consideration of leadership skills and traits in both the strategic and tactical settings will be considered. Ethics will be considered in terms of creating a culture of ethics within a public safety agency.

SEMT 335 - Introduction to Emergency Management & Homeland Security (4)

This course analyzes emergency management from a historical perspective. Disaster planning and disaster management in the post 9-11 environment are analyzed. The impact of Homeland Security on local public safety agencies is examined as are selected Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD #5 and HSPD #11 in particular). The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Plan (NRP) are examined with regard to their impact on local public safety agencies. Finally, special challenges for emergency management and disaster response will be analyzed.

Focus Area

Emergency Management & Disaster Response:

FIES 310 - Fire & Emergency Services Administration (4)

This course is designed to be a progressive primer for students who want more knowledge about fire and emergency services administration. The course demonstrates the importance of the following skills, necessary to manage and lead a fire and emergency services department through the challenges and changes of the 21st century: persuasion and influence, accountable budgeting, anticipation of challenges and the need for change, and using specific management tools for analyzing and solving problems. A central part of the course focuses on how the leadership of a fire and emergency services department develops internal and external cooperation to create a coordinated approach to achieving the department's mission.

FIES 430 - Political & Legal Foundations for Fire Protection (4)

This course examines the legal aspects of the fire services and the political and social impacts of legal issues. This course includes a review of the American legal system and in-depth coverage of legal and political issues involving employment and personnel matters, administrative and operational matters, planning and code enforcement, and legislative and political processes with regard to the fire services.

SEMT 240 - Disaster Planning & Response (4)

Students will explore the nuances of planning for and responding to catastrophic disasters. The course will involve discussion of domestic and international approaches to planning and responding to such disasters. Students will view issues from the perspective of an Emergency Manager who spends most of their time in the field planning for critical incidents and disasters and who understands the key components to a good plan that involves many agencies at all levels of government and at different stages of the event. Students will explore the logistics of mass care, mass evacuation, and critical infrastructure damage.

SEMT 328 - Emergency Management Theory & Practice (4)

This course will focus on Emergency Management and Homeland Security in the Post 9-11 era. Emphasis will be on mitigation and preparedness related to international and domestic terrorism as well as natural disasters.

SEMT 450 - Critical Incident Management (4)

The course will explore the NIMS, ICS, and other federally mandated systems in place for the management of critical incidents such as major fire scenes, major disasters, terrorist attacks, and other events that require a multi-agency response and recovery effort. The course discusses and evaluates the roles of high-level leadership in setting policy direction and planning as well as real-time management of the scene.

OR

Homeland Security:

CJAD 210 - Intro to Criminal Justice Administration (4)

This is an introductory course designed to expose students to the various Major elements of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections). Students will learn about the ways in which the various systems interact, the processing of offenders, the various forms of punishment and the alternatives to punishment. The future of the criminal justice system will also be discussed.

CJAD 360 - Intro: Terrorism & Intelligence Analysis (4)

This course examines intelligence analysis and its indispensable relationship to the management of terrorist attacks, man-made disasters and natural disasters. It also explores vulnerabilities of our national defense and private sectors, as well as the threats posed to these institutions by terrorists. Students will discuss substantive issues regarding intelligence support of homeland security measures implemented by the United States and explore how the intelligence community operates.

CJAD 430 - Juvenile Corrections (4)

This course will present students with an introduction and history of juvenile corrections. More in-depth coverage will focus on contemporary sentencing and correctional strategies including alternative sanctions. Students will be exposed to treatment and rehabilitative programmatic trends both inside and outside secure institutions. Additional topics will include correctional staff training, risk assessment, and evaluative studies both quantitative and qualitative.

COMM 355 - Introduction to Grant Writing for Non-Profits (4)

This course will enable students to recognize when a grant might be appropriate as a source of funds for a non-profit organization or project, identify and understand non-profit status, adhere to conventions and standards associated with successful grant applications, locate grant opportunities, analyze grant requirements, prepare metrics for success, and develop a written grant proposal. This course will provide an opportunity for students to extend and apply their communication skills. Students pursuing this course will also leverage interdisciplinary insights to solve a real-world problem.

SEMT 328 - Emergency Management Theory & Practice (4)

This course will focus on Emergency Management and Homeland Security in the Post 9-11 era. Emphasis will be on mitigation and preparedness related to international and domestic terrorism as well as natural disasters.

CJAD 400 - Forensic Psychology (4)

The course outlines the history of psychology and the law from the late 1800?s to the Daubert Standard and beyond. The course outlines various arenas where the law and particularly aspects of the criminal justice system have utilized psychology to inform investigations and litigation. There are some aspects of civil litigation covered with respect to family law and harassment. The course describes criminal psychology, sexual violence, and victimology from a psychological perspective.

University Electives

34 credits from the following types of courses:
Any undergraduate courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.

Program Details

Tuition Costs

See How Franklin Compares  

67% LESS IN TUITION

For students taking 31 credits per year, Franklin University’s undergraduate tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year is $12,338. According to Collegeboard.org, that's about 67% less than the national average private, nonprofit four-year college tuition of $38,070.

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Program Learning Outcomes

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the B.S. Emergency Management & Homeland Security matrix.

Degree Requirements

1. To be awarded an undergraduate degree, students must:

• Successfully complete all courses required in the major program, including:
• General Education
• Business or Professional Core
• Major Area and Elective Courses
• Technical transfer credit (for specific degree completion programs only)

2. Meet these grade point average (GPA) requirements:

• All students must attain a minimum Franklin University cumulative GPA of 2.00
• All students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.25 in the major area, and each major area course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward degree requirements

3. Complete the residency requirement

• Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Credit hours may be completed on-site, hybrid or online. 

4. Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees

5. Not be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or a violation of the Student Code of Conduct

Program Chairs and Academic Advisors are available for consultation to provide information and guidance regarding the selection of courses, the accuracy of schedules, and the transfer process. However, students are responsible for understanding and meeting the degree requirements of their major program or degree and for planning schedules accordingly.

Overall Residency Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate’s degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. 

Course Level Requirements

A student must have 40 credit hours overall that are equivalent to 300/400 level Franklin University courses for a bachelor’s degree. A student must have a minimum of 12 credit hours of courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate’s degree.

Business Core Requirements

Majors that have Business Core requirements are Accounting, Applied Management, Business Administration, Business Economics, Business Forensics, Energy Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Financial Planning, Forensic Accounting, Human Resources Management, Information Systems Auditing, Logistics Management, Management & Leadership, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Risk Management & Insurance. The Business Core is the foundation of the related academic disciplines appropriate for a baccalaureate degree in business. The purpose of the Business Core is to provide students with a conceptual understanding of organizations, how the functional areas interrelate to achieve organizational goals, and how to apply professional decision-making competencies and technical skills in today’s environment. After completing the Business Core, graduates will be able to:

• analyze an organization’s accounting information in order to develop sound business decisions
• identify and apply valuation models relevant to an organization’s financial decisions
• identify the impact of forces influencing the major functional areas of business (e.g., ethical, legal, technological, economic, global and social)
• apply marketing activities to the delivery of goods and services in business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets
• apply interpersonal and resource management skills to enhance business success

Business Principles (BSAD 110) is a Business Core prerequisite. Transfer students with the equivalent of four business courses are not required to take Business Principles.

Major Area Requirements

A student must have 20 credit hours in the major area that are equivalent to 300/400 major level Franklin courses for a bachelor’s degree. A student must have 12 hours of major area courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate’s degree. A minimum 2.25 GPA is required in the major area for students enrolled in either the associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs, and each major course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better to count toward degree requirements.

Capstone Requirement

Every major has a capstone experience for which credit cannot be transferred into the University. This is a Franklin course designed to integrate and assess the learning outcomes specific to each major as a whole. This course should be taken as the last major course. If, given the academic scheduling process and the student’s projected graduation date, this is not possible, then the student should have Senior Standing (90 or more credit hours), plus the skill-based General Education courses (COMM, SPCH, WRIT, MATH, COMP), all business or professional core courses, and the capstone prerequisite courses.

Subsequent Degree Requirements

Students pursuing subsequent bachelor’s degrees must earn in residency at Franklin University a minimum of 30 credit hours at the 200 level or above, of which a minimum of 16 credit hours must be major area courses equivalent to 300/400 level courses.

Additional Degree Requirements

Students seeking an additional bachelor’s (or associate’s) degree must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (including the major requirements) beyond the first bachelor’s (or associate’s) degree. (See the “Subsequent Degree” section of the Academic Bulletin.)

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit and credit awarded on standardized exams, proficiency exams or portfolio credit awarded by another institution will not count toward the residency requirement at Franklin University. Credit awarded based on proficiency examination or portfolio evaluation conducted by Franklin University may apply as appropriate major area credit, but will not reduce the hours required toward the residency requirement.

Program Advisory Board

The University employs a team approach to planning, developing and maintaining its academic curriculum. An essential element of this process – and a key to the institution’s quality assurance practices – is the Program Advisory Board (and the associated Alumni Advisory Board). A diverse array of business and industry leaders make up these discipline-specific boards that provide guidance on theory-to-practice ideas, global business perspectives, and emerging topics in the field. Each academic year, Program Advisory Boards meet with Division Chairs and faculty for lively and engaged conversations, thus bringing members’ substantial professional experience and expertise into the classroom. In addition, some Division Chairs elect to engage Program Advisory Board members in the assessment of academic program outcomes.

Public Safety Advisory Board

Knowledge & Skillsets

Gain in-demand skills sought by employers with curriculum that teaches you:

Crisis Readiness & Disaster Preparedness

• Provide strategic direction and emergency management, ensuring end-to-end disaster preparedness
• Conduct training drills and exercises, ensuring full preparedness for emergency response
• Assume the role of incident commander during critical situations, including fires, evacuations, HazMat spills, bomb threats, earthquakes, and power outages
• Establish mutual aid agreements and conduct joint emergency drills with emergency responders
• Develop and deploy an emergency response management strategy in response to emergent events
• Ensure disaster warehouses, vehicles, and equipment are in a constant state of readiness
• Collaborate with governmental and community organizations to ensure effective preparedness, readiness, and response outcomes during disaster lifecycle
• Develop emergency evacuation and shelter plans in collaboration with other agencies
• Oversee emergency response awareness and training events, including drills, exercises, and instruction in order to raise emergency response awareness and performance

Threat Assessment & Risk Management

• Take preventative measures to identify and correct safety and security deficiencies or problems
• Track and analyze emerging threats domestically and internationally, including geopolitical and reputational risk, terrorism, activism, crime, cyber issues, workplace violence, imminent threat, and kidnapping of personnel
• Write technically detailed reports that provide a clear assessment of risk and articulate risk-reduction recommendations
• Safeguard organizational reputation through effective risk assessments
• Conduct site vulnerability and all-hazards analysis, communicating findings to key stakeholders
• Investigate incidents to identify root causes and determine how similar events can be prevented in the future
• Collaborate with facilities and risk management personnel to ensure a safe, productive environment
• Promote initiatives to create a culture of safety in an organization or community
   

Emergency Management & Homeland Security

• Coordinate emergency management response to natural or manmade disasters, terrorist incidents, and weapons of mass-destruction
• Support risk-related emergency situations, such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and safety issues
• Facilitate positive and productive working relationships with law enforcement and emergency services personnel
• Investigate a wide range of domestic and international activities arising from the illegal movement of people and goods
• Oversee emergency response coordination, ensuring that first responders receive National Incident Management System (NIMS) training
• Manage the documentation of emergency response measures and the resources needed to achieve them
• Support recovery operations for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and restoration of disaster-damaged publicly owned facilities
• Conduct preliminary damage assessments, estimating costs to repair, replace, or restore a facility to pre-disaster condition
• Identify community needs during emergencies and recruit agencies or volunteers to provide needed assistance
• Analyze intelligence information in support of counter-terrorist and counter-insurgent operations
• Conduct pre-disaster vulnerability assessments, and coordinate post-disaster damage assessments
• Prepare counterterrorism intelligence reports and provide focused analytical support to investigations and operations
• Uncover critical intelligence gaps and recommends corrective action

Safety & Security Operations

• Develop security procedures and action plans to ensure protection of staff, customers, and corporate assets
• Follow best practice standards in the investigation and reporting of incidents and ensure cases are appropriately referred to judicial systems
• Implement safety policies and procedures in compliance with local, state, and federal OSHA rules and regulations
• Create programs to train managers and employees in work site safety and prevention practices
• Conduct in-service training on safety and fire procedures, and proper equipment usage and storage
• Evaluate procedures to identify and prevent unsafe workplace conditions, and track and report safety-related files and data
• Inspect facilities for compliance with applicable fire, safety and sanitation policies, laws, and codes
• Apply laws, limits, and regulations to make appropriate firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency response operating decisions
   

Labor Relations

• Establish and maintain trust and positive relations with employees and labor groups
• Review and develop operational policies and procedures to ensure compliance with bargaining contracts
• Research data for personnel transactions and bids in accordance with bargaining contracts
• Identify existing and potential labor problems and make recommendations for resolution
• Communicate with and respond to a variety of inquiries and complaints from public personnel and other agencies

Fiscal Administration

• Prepare and administer annual budget for a public or nonprofit organization
• Hold staff accountable for budgetary decision-making, ensuring expenditures are within pre-established budgetary parameters
• Monitor expenditures and make recommendations for the appropriation of funds
• Direct and forecast funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies
• Participate in the development of long range plans for capital improvement projects
• Ensure risk management strategies are executed to reduce cost and safety risks
• Identify and develop business, foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities
• Engage in fiscal research and forecasting, creating reports, and preparing presentations based on findings
• Review proposals, funding increase requests, new initiatives, and capital expenditures, providing funding recommendations for new and existing programs
• Analyze fiscal and budgetary reports to identify ways to increase efficiency and maximize use of available funds