Program Description
The Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) associate degree program is designed to prepare the next generation of emergency management and policy leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to improve outcomes in disasters of all types. This online degree program includes instruction in policy as well as planning and operational components of emergency management and homeland security, including opportunities to gain practical experience and work with current incident management technologies. The curriculum provides policy foundations and advances students through core competencies in hazard identification; risk and vulnerability assessment; planning; terrorism; mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery; and planning for diverse populations. This degree will prepare students with the competencies to work in an all-hazards preparedness environment, including an understanding of socioeconomic and cultural diversity issues. Students are required to have access to computer, internet, and browser. This degree can be completed online.
Visit the HSEM website at pencol.edu/program/homeland-security-emergency-management.
Students must earn a minimum of a 2.0 in each HSEM course.
Prospective Homeland Security and Emergency Management students should be aware that Homeland Security and Emergency Management employment candidates are subject to extensive background checks.
Program Length: 6 Quarters
Program Code: CRMHSAPT
Career Opportunities and Earnings
The Federal Department of Labor identifies homeland security as a “high-demand field,” one that requires a large number of trained professionals across a number of industry sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 22% increase in emergency management specialist positions by 2014. Graduates may find positions with a variety of organizations in the public and private sectors.
For current employment and wage estimates, please visit and search for the relevant occupational term: bls.gov/oes.
Program Outcomes
When this program is completed, the student will be able to:
- Apply effective interpersonal communication, critical thinking and decision-making skills commensurate with a defined level of responsibility
- Develop agency/organization specific tools to evaluate specific domestic security challenges for the 21st century that face the United States and other industrialized nations
- Design and modify plans and programs at federal, state, and/or local levels to reflect the evolving strategic policy issues associated with a statutory and presidential direction for homeland security
- Interpret ethical and legal issues that impact emergency management and homeland security
- Recognize how to access and disseminate information through multiple agencies in order to forecast the risks, types, and orders of magnitude of terrorist threats most likely to confront the nation/state
- Define the interdisciplinary nature of Homeland Security/Emergency Management functions and be able to assess and integrate various functional areas
- Develop policies, procedures and protocols to allow seamless agency integration from prevention to incident response scenarios
- Apply a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in emergency management, homeland security, and/or public policy
- Participate in employer-directed training for performance enhancement and career advancement
Special Features
On the job training is critical to giving students the insight and information they need to succeed once their education is complete. The Homeland Security Emergency Management program includes five credits of work-based experience for students completing the associate’s degree option. This work-based training provides opportunities to directly connect with potential employers. Graduates of this program can continue their academic studies at Peninsula College in the Bachelor of Applied Management degree (BAS). Please contact the BAS advisor for additional prerequisite requirements at BAS@pencol.edu.
Goals
- The program encourages students to question, search for answers and meaning, and develop ideas that lead to action
- The program provides up to date curriculum that adapts to the rapidly changing field of Homeland Security Emergency Management
- The Peninsula College Homeland Security Emergency Management program is significantly more cost effective than most private and public schools
Program Prerequisites
Students entering this program should have good familiarity with computer software and hardware in the Windows or MAC environment. College-level skills in English and math (eligibility for courses numbered 100 or higher) are required before registering for the English, math, or applied math courses in this program.
Approximate Additional Costs
- Books, supplies and miscellaneous fees (per quarter): $200 - $250
Sample Schedule
This sample schedule is provided as a guide for a full-time student starting in fall quarter whose goal is to earn an AAS. The typical student schedule is based on entering the program during the fall quarter, however some programs allow students to enter in the winter or spring as well. Since not all do, please confirm with an advisor whether this program must be started during a specific quarter or not.
First Quarter (Fall)
Traces historical development of courts, corrections, and law enforcement to understand structure and process of the criminal justice system. Examine roles, responsibilities, and perspectives of its participants. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)
Credits: 5
Provides a broad overview for exploring a career in emergency management (EM). Students will learn what an emergency management professional does, what an emergency management program consists of, and how that can be applied to a variety of organizations. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 102)
Credits: 5
This course describes the history, features, principles, and organization structure of the Incident Command System (ICS). It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). (Course will meet ICS 100/200 requirements). This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 110)
Credits: 2
Introduction to fundamental concepts, systems, and processes that guide and support effective emergency management planning, including the history and rationale behind planning. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 120)
Credits: 3
Second Quarter (Winter)
Geodesy and mapping; introduction to atmospheric science, weather, climate, the oceans, hydrology, and the earth’s heat budget. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences, Elective)
Credits: 5
This class provides a detailed overview of the application of technology in emergency management. Students will learn how to effectively use technology in all phases of disaster. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 130)
Credits: 3
This course provides an overview of the structure and issues of public service. Course participants will examine the context of public administration: the political system, the role of federalism, bureaucratic politics and power, and the various theories of administration that guide public managers today. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 180)
Credits: 3
The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand and think critically about disaster recovery operations in the profession of emergency management. Students will utilize problem-based learning by analyzing actual disaster events and applying the theories, principals, and practice of disaster recovery. In addition, students will learn about the issues faced by the whole community and how to address access and functional needs in disaster recovery. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 230)
Credits: 2
This course is designed to give the student an overview of various statutes, regulations, constitutional law, and common law associated with Homeland Security Emergency Management. Students will be introduced to the legalities and ethics relevant to organizing for counterterrorism, investigating terrorism and other national security threats, crisis and consequence management. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 250)
Credits: 4
Third Quarter (Spring)
Explores classic and modern elements of persuasion and applies that understanding to assemble, deliver, and evaluate extemporaneous speeches. Eligibility for or concurrent enrollment in ENGL& 101 is recommended. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Humanities, Elective)
Credits: 5
This course will prepare students to support emergency management public information operations, ensuring appropriate messaging for the whole community. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 157)
Credits: 2
Provides current and relevant information about terrorism, terrorist behavior, homeland security policies and dilemmas, and how to deal effectively with threats and the consequences of attacks. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 160)
Credits: 5
Introduction to methods and applications of elementary descriptive and inferential statistics; summarizing data graphically and numerically, probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation and linear regression. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences, Elective)
Credits: 5
Fourth Quarter (Fall)
Substantive criminal law applied to crime prevention and control activities in criminal justice. Examines definitions, classifications, grades, prohibitions, and punishments ascribed to criminal law through statutes and case law. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)
Credits: 5
Active reading, effective writing, and critical thinking, using subjective and objective approaches. Introduction to research techniques. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Communication Skills)
Credits: 5
This course provides the student with skills and knowledge to manage an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), acquire and control resources, and interface with on-scene responders within Incident Management Systems. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 200)
Credits: 2
Nature and function of political institutions in major national systems. ENGL& 101 or concurrent enrollment is recommended. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)
Credits: 5
Fifth Quarter (Winter)
Scientific approach to understanding nature and scope of contemporary problems in our environment. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Natural Sciences, Elective)
Credits: 5
This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to develop, conduct, evaluate and report effective exercises that test a community's operations plan and operational response capability. Throughout the course, participants will learn about topics including exercise program management, design and development, evaluation, and improvement planning. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses, which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC). This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 210)
Credits: 3
Introduction to science of behavior. Emphasis on biological foundations of behavior, cognition, learning, intelligence, motivation, memory, personality, and psychological disorders. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)
Credits: 5
Sixth Quarter (Spring)
Provides an introduction to the field of Cyber Security through the analysis of technology and concepts in the field of cyber security and cybercrime. This course provides a complete introduction to the protection of business information and systems that support business process. The objective is to identify common threats and attacks, analyze the role of security techniques and architectures, explain the role of cryptography, and analyze issues related to managing security. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 5
Reading and writing using analytical and critical approaches. One or more research papers. Builds on concepts introduced in ENGL& 101. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Communication Skills)
Credits: 5
This course will focus on methods and procedures for involving volunteers in emergency management programs, with the goal of maximizing the effectiveness of volunteer resources. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 220)
Credits: 2
Provides students practical experience in emergency management. Students learn to work within time constraints and are exposed to appropriate workplace behaviors, while applying core skills they have learned in the program. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Formerly HSEM 240)
Credits: 4
Your personal educational plan will vary based on many factors including:
- The quarter you begin
- How many classes/credits you plan to take in each quarter
- Your math and English placement; Learn more about placement options by visiting the Assessment and Placement website.
- If you start in our Transitional Studies program