Emergency Management (Doctor of Science)

Emergency Management Professionals on the scene of a disaster

The Doctor of Science degree requires a total of 60 semester credit hours. Required coursework includes 42 hours in administration and policy, practice areas, and research methods and statistics, plus a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation credit. In addition, applicants must hold a master’s degree in emergency management or a related field from a regionally accredited school. While courses are delivered online, students are required to participate in a week-long seminar on campus once each academic year, for the first three years of their program. All Emergency Management programs are only offered online. International students must remain in their home country to be eligible for admission to these programs.

Someday, in the not so distant future, it happens. The moment arrives when you realize that you're ready for anything. Get a degree in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University in Alabama and be ready for where you're going. The Emergency Management (EM) program at Jacksonville State University was one of the first fully-accredited EM degree programs in the United States. We offer Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Science degrees in emergency management that support a unique and rapidly-growing career field.
Be Ready With a Degree in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University

Admission

The application and admissions schedule* for the 2024 fall semester cohort of students is as follows:

  • January 31, 2024 Deadline for submission of all application materials
  • February 14 - 29, 2024 Admissions Committee Review
  • March 15, 2024 Applicants notified of decision

Admission materials include a completed application, a Statement of Purpose (minimum three pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 font) setting forth career goals and research interests, a resume, three graduate reference forms, official transcripts, and official test scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Also, please include a Writing Sample consisting of a paper written in an academic setting, with a minimum length of five pages. If you do not have such a sample available, then an example of technical or professional writing, from within the past five years.

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Alessandra Jerolleman/Dr. Shih-Kai Huang Co-Directors, Doctor of Science Program in Emergency Management emd@jsu.edu

*Applicants should consult the Graduate Catalog for future dates related to application and admission.

Integrative Seminar 2023

Cohorts 2021, 2022 and 2023 August 7-11, 2023

Potential Careers

Emergency Management is a fantastically diverse career-field with a favorably projected future job growth. There are a variety of opportunities in public service at all levels of government and in a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare and private business.

  • Emergency Management Director (FEMA, State, local, non-profit, private sector)
  • Emergency Management Specialist
  • Disaster Program Manager
  • Emergency Planner
  • Information/Cyber Security Analyst

Median Annual Salary

Emergency Management Director (FEMA) $162,930
Emergency Management Director (Private Sector) $128,500
Information/Cyber Security Analyst $102,600
Emergency Management Director (State and Local) $76,730
Emergency Management Faculty $76,710
Intelligence Analyst $72,692
Emergency Management Director (Nonprofit) $69,090
Anti-Terrorism Specialist $79,000
Emergency Management Specialist $64,500
Disaster Program Manager $47,900
Public Safety Telecommunicator $46,670

Degree Information

Program Overview

View Requirements

D. Sc. Student Handbook 

Additional Facts

Only program in Alabama and one of the few in the nation that offers Emergency Management academic degrees in all three levels (undergraduate, master's and doctoral). We also offer a Cybersecurity micro-credential and a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management.

Departmental Information

Online Program Contact

Dr. Alessandra Jerolleman
emd@jsu.edu 
256-782-5925