Applied Science (Emergency Management), BAS
Build the skills to lead communities through crises with this pathway designed for students who already hold an AAS degree. Study disaster management, community preparedness, resilience and emergency response while gaining leadership capabilities in emergency policy, homeland security, organizational governance and risk management.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Applied Science (Emergency Management), BAS degree description
The Bachelor of Applied Science program with a concentration in emergency management is a flexible, 60 credit hour degree program.
If you have completed an Associate of Applied Science from a regionally accredited institution, the curriculum is designed specifically for you.
The required capstone class provides you with experience through coordinated internships.
This program is not available if you are a first-year student.
Why specialize in emergency management at ASU?
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is home to emergency management graduate programs ranked second in the nation for emergency management and homeland security and ninth for public affairs by U.S. News & World Report. You learn in an environment shaped by nationally recognized faculty expertise and scholarship in disaster response and community resilience.
With the required capstone, you connect directly with agencies such as the Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, building a network as you apply classroom concepts to real challenges. Through hands-on capstone work and coordinated internship opportunities, you apply your learning in professional settings and build connections with agencies and organizations seeking professionals who can mitigate risks and respond to increasingly complex emergencies.
ASU's Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security supports your learning with access to research, training and professional development opportunities. The Emergency Management Student Association connects you with hands-on experiences and partnerships with local, state and federal emergency management organizations.
Additional details
You can pursue concurrent degrees to earn two distinct diplomas by working with your academic advisor to design a combination that complements your emergency management concentration. Some combinations are not possible due to curriculum overlap, but many pathways let you deepen expertise across related fields.
The Emergency Management Student Association reorganized in 2025 and offers ASU students opportunities to connect with professionals and participate in training coordinated with agencies including the International Association of Emergency Managers, the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, and the City of Phoenix. You can find club information and membership applications through ASU's student organization portal.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| PAF 200 Public Service and Policy |
| PAF 201 Economics and Public Policy |
| PAF 300 Public Management and Administration |
| PAF 301 Applied Statistics |
| PAF 302 Public Service Research Methods |
| PAF 311 Leadership and Change |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Conduct analysis applying foundational principles of emergency policy and management in the context of complex systems.
- Demonstrate understanding of the complex organizational and governance structures operating in emergency management and homeland security.
- Synthesize their understanding of risk, organizations, and governance to create basic mitigation strategies to manage disruption.
Conduct analysis applying foundational principles of emergency policy and management in the context of complex systems.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
Students applying to this program must have completed an AAS degree from a regionally accredited institution. This program is not available to first-year students.
A current ASU student must have completed an AAS from a regionally accredited institution to change to this major.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Understanding how different regions around the world react to disasters can lead to insight on how to bring solutions to students' own communities. When studying abroad, students can make meaningful connections through exchange of ideas and perspectives. Study abroad programs that focus on issues like counterterrorism, resource management and urban infrastructure can help students develop a more informed and well-rounded view of emergency management.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| CEO | 3.2% | $213,990 | Learn more |
| Community Specialist | 5.5% | $56,730 | Learn more |
| Compliance Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | Learn more |
| Correctional Officer | -7.4% | $58,940 | Learn more |
| Emergency Manager | 3.9% | $93,330 | Learn more |
| Fire Chief | 3.7% | $93,530 | Learn more |
| Firefighter/EMT | 3.7% | $59,280 | Learn more |
| General Manager (GM) | 5.0% | $105,770 | Learn more |
| Social Services Director | 7.2% | $80,390 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this applied science (emergency management) program prepares you for
The degree in emergency management opens the door to a challenging career as a professional emergency manager. The advancement of technology has created the potential for more devastating disasters than ever before. As a result, there is an increasing demand for emergency managers who have a solid foundation in scientific and technical disciplines as well as management skills.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Public Affairs
|
UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
