Portland-State-University 2022-2023 Bulletin

Master of Science in Emergency Management and Community Resilience

The Master of Science in Emergency Management and Community Resilience is designed to educate professionals in public, private, and nonprofit organizations whose jobs include responsibility for planning and organizing response to disasters, both natural and human made. The curriculum of this graduate program is designed at the intersections of scientific research, applied public policy, and effective crisis leadership—as well as at the crossroads of multiple disciplines and approaches to disaster and resilience. This transdisciplinary approach to understanding emergency management and community resilience offers a rich intellectual and applied basis for graduate study.

Core Course Requirements

Each student must enroll in and successfully complete nine core courses as outlined below:

EMCR 520Anatomy and History of Disasters

4
EMCR 530/USP 530Building Community Resilience

4
EMCR 535/PA 535Strategies for Organizing Recovery, Mitigation and Resilience

3
EMCR 587/PA 587Principles and Practices of Emergency Management

3
EMCR 545/Comm 545Risk and Strategic Communication

4
EMCR 588/PA 588International Perspectives on Disaster Management & Resilience

3
EMCR 591/Anth 591Culture, Vulnerability and Disaster Resilience

4
EMCR 595Capstone Seminar in Emergency Management and Resilience

4
 
EMCR 560/USP 560Climate Resiliency Planning

3
or
EMCR 567/Geog 567Community Resilience in Coupled Socio-Ecological Systems

4

Skills and Methods Requirements

Students must take a minimum of three courses (9 credits), with a minimum of one in each of the two Skills and Method Areas:

 

  1. Research Design, Evaluation, Communication, and Assessment

  2. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

 

These courses focus on skills and methodologies that support varied careers within the emergency management profession. A list of approved electives is available from the Program Director.

Field Specialization Requirements

Students in this program must take a minimum of four courses (12 credits) within one of the four Field Specializations:

 

  1. Natural Systems, Sustainability and Resilience

  2. Public Health Response and Promotion

  3. Organizational Strategies for Effective Emergency Management

  4. Social Resilience, Culture and Community

 

A list of approved electives is available from the Program Director.

Total Credit Hours: 53-54