The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors has approved a new Master of Science in emergency management degree program to be offered by Millersville University of Pennsylvania beginning next fall.

The program, which will be offered totally online, was developed in response to a nationwide need identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for well-trained individuals to plan and coordinate emergency management efforts. Graduates will be prepared to serve in a variety of positions in the emergency management field and to attain certified emergency manager status.

The new degree will be taught by faculty affiliated with Millersville University’s Center for Disaster Response and Education. It has been designed to enhance student skills in leading efforts in planning, mitigation and response to disastrous events.

It is expected that many of the students who enroll in the program will be individuals who already are working in the field. The program will help in their career advancement.

As part of the requirements for obtaining the new master’s degree, students will use what they learn to develop a portfolio in which existing emergency response polices, plans and practices are upgraded to reflect best practices and research. The student’s current job site or a volunteer position he or she obtains will serve as the field location within which to conduct the project.

The 30-credit program has been designed so that it can be completed in two years. The online courses will include faculty and student interaction through e-meetings and discussions. The curriculum will follow key areas identified by FEMA’s Higher Education Project.

For more information about the program, please contact Millersville University.

With more than 109,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. The 14 PASSHE universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 405,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.