The goal of the program is to provide graduates with the knowledge and tools to be successful emergency managers in the public and private sectors of the Northeast region. The program’s graduates will gain the problem-solving capabilities to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters and emergencies. The program provides a multi-disciplinary approach requiring a core set of courses needed to address issues common to virtually all hazards, and other courses addressing special topics including public health and transportation security.

The degree is offered in an 18 month executive format. The 34-credit, 10-course program will be presented one course at a time and each course will run for a six-week period. es will be held every other weekend beginning Friday evening and ending Saturday afternoon.

Modeled after the Academy’s successful Master of Science in Facilities Management degree, the course will be based in Waltham, Massachusetts at the DoubleTree Guest Suites. This site was specifically chosen in consideration of its convenience for students working in the Greater Boston area. With overnight accommodations included in the program, students essentially have a one-way commute from work to . At established times throughout the program, students will visit the Massachusetts Maritime Academy campus in Buzzards Bay to take advantage of the exceptional facilities and technology, such as the emergency management simulator and specialized labs.  Specific courses include:  

            ·         Organizational Behavior in Emergency Management 

·         Legal Issues in Emergency Management 

·         Managing Information Technology Resources 

·         Hazards Risk Management 

·         Strategic Planning and Budgeting in Emergency Management 

·         Risk and Crisis Communication 

·         Emergency Operations 

·         Public Health Issues in Emergency Management 

·         Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery 

·         Transportation Security Management   

The degree program will culminate in a 4-credit capstone project. Throughout the curriculum, students will draw upon their education and experience to develop a capstone presentation specifically related to an emergency management scenario.

No other public institution in Massachusetts currently offers a Master of Science in Emergency Management. In fact, the Academy’s recently approved B.S. in Emergency Management is the one of only a few emergency management degrees offered by a public institution in Massachusetts.  As a result of the limited private and public offerings, this program is well-suited to address the need for emergency management professionals in the region.

The maritime sector continues to be one of the greatest concerns to terrorism experts. A transportation security incident in one port could have major economic repercussions throughout the country. The Academy is uniquely positioned in the region to use its expertise and educate our future leaders about transportation security and the unique domain of ships, ports, and the complex and multiple disciplines involved in managing them.

To be considered for admission to the program, candidates must possess a Bachelors Degree in an Emergency Management-related field and must be capable of graduate-level study. Admissions will be based on an overall evaluation of the prospective student’s application together with a personal interview. The program cost includes tuition, fees, accommodations, meals, and books.

For further information about this exciting new program, please contact the Division of Graduate & Continuing Education at 508-830-5098, by email at dce@maritime.edu or visit www.maritime.edu/graduate.