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Public Service and Public Policy (Emergency Management and Homeland Security), BS

Step into an in-demand leadership career in emergency management and homeland security. This concentration pairs an impactful curriculum with the flexibility to shape your studies, so you graduate ready to lead in a field where strong leaders are needed.

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Students in flight suits shake hands near an aircraft, reflecting the field explored in this Public Policy concentration.

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: General program math intensity general
First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
View more details

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Degree description

Program description

The School of Public Affairs offers a concentration in emergency management and homeland security as part of the Bachelor of Science program in public service and public policy.

This concentration program provides you with the skills and knowledge to lead in emergency management and homeland security. Concepts of public policy and management are blended with emergency management principles. You emerge with a comprehensive perspective on how to help your communities effectively mitigate and manage disasters.

Why specialize in emergency management and homeland security at ASU?

Learn at a school U.S. News & World Report ranks No. 2 in the nation for emergency management and homeland security graduate programs and No. 9 overall in public affairs. At the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, you study alongside elite faculty and tap into a prestigious network that few universities can match.

Additional details

You can get involved beyond the classroom by joining student organizations such as the Emergency Management Student Association, the International City/County Management Association, or the Student Veterans Association.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
PAF 112 Public Service and American Democracy
PAF 160 How to Survive the 21st Century
PAF 200 Public Service and Policy
PAF 201 Economics and Public Policy
PAF 300 Public Management and Administration
PAF 301 Applied Statistics

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

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)

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)

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to change to this program.

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

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0266
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-1019
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0265
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-1019
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0267
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-1019
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0266
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-1019
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0265
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-1019
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-1019
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Alexander Sandage
602-496-1658
alexander.sandage@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Katie Bonnesen
602-496-1928
katherine.bonnesen@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0450
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

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.

Global experience

Understanding how different governments around the world manage disasters can provide insight for bringing solutions to students' own communities. Study abroad programs can help students gain practical knowledge and experience in how governments function at varying levels in a community. The heightened cultural competency and the leadership and critical thinking skills students acquire through study abroad programs also enhance their resumes.

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 opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
CEO 3.2% $213,990
Compliance Manager 4.9% $141,900
Distribution Center Manager 6.1% $107,230
Emergency Manager 3.9% $93,330
General Manager (GM) 5.0% $105,770
Investment Fund Manager 9.7% $166,570
Politician Not available Not available
Regulatory Affairs Manager 4.9% $141,900
Security Manager 4.6% $106,660
Social Services Director 7.2% $80,390

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 public service and public policy degree with an emergency management and homeland security concentration prepares you for

Graduates possess the knowledge and skills required for entry- and midlevel supervisory and managerial positions in the public sector, such as city, county, state and federal agencies, though they would successfully function in many other types of organizations as well. For those who already have work experience, the degree provides further opportunity for promotion. In addition, the program prepares students for future graduate study in law, public policy and public administration.

The number of people retiring paired with the increasing demand for public services has resulted in an increase in job opportunities for graduates in the public sector. The federal government is the nation's largest employer with nearly two million people employed across the country, and nearly 85% of those jobs exist outside the Washington, D.C., area. The federal government is anticipated to hire tens of thousands of new employees for mission-critical positions in the next few years. Those with preparation in academic areas related to public service have an advantage in that market.

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.

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