Photo by Walter Roybal
The Adams State University Office of Extended Studies recently created an opportunity for online students to earn an Associate of Arts in Emergency Management (EMM) degree.
The program requires 37 credit hours of general education courses, 15 credit hours in emergency management, and 8 elective credit hours. According to Walter Roybal, assistant vice president of Extended Studies-Academics, the program will help meet the increasing demand for qualified employees. "This field is growing in all areas of business and industry." Institutions are hiring trained professionals to plan and lead natural disaster preparation. "In every aspect of the business world, from hospitals to office buildings, there is an increase in crisis management positions."
The two-year program will include practical field study and with the completion of Emergency Planning and Exercise Design, students will earn two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certificates.
For students with emergency management related trainings there will be an assessment of their trainings and may fulfill electives. "The associate’s degree can lead into a bachelor’s degree," Roybal said. "Because a general education provides individuals with critical thinking skills, students possessing this type of degree are in high demand. The program goes beyond the focus of emergency first-responders."
All instructors of the EMM program are currently in the professional field of emergency management, including Lori Hodges, who is nationally known.
Prospective students may enroll at any time and are eligible for financial aid.
For more information contact the Office of Extended Studies at 719-587-7671 or 1-800-548-6679 or distanceadvisor@adams.edu.
