Why Choose Emergency Services Management at Bethel University?
When disaster strikes, communities depend on professionals who know how to plan, respond, and lead. Bethel University's Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Management prepares you for exactly that work, building expertise across emergency and disaster management, homeland security, and public safety leadership. It is a degree for the people who run toward the problem and want the knowledge to manage it well.
Offered fully online through the College of Professional Studies, the program is designed for working adults, including first responders and public safety professionals advancing their careers. You study risk analysis, disaster planning, homeland security law, and the leadership and financial management that emergency organizations rely on, applying it to the real situations you may already face on the job. When you finish, you have both a bachelor's degree and the preparation to move into management and command roles.
What You’ll Learn
In this program, you will learn:
- An overview of current issues in emergency and disaster management
- The ability to plan and prepare agencies, personnel, and communities for emergency and disaster response
- A knowledge of terrorist incident response, weapons of mass destruction, and modern terrorism
- An understanding of homeland security law and public policy
- Skill in risk analysis and threat assessment for natural and manmade disasters
- A foundation in natural disaster planning and the science behind Earth hazards
- The organizational and command structures used in emergency and homeland security organizations
- Human resource, strategic planning, and financial management skills for public safety organizations
- The leadership roles, responsibilities, and ethics required to lead emergency management organizations
Courses You'll Take
These are the core courses that define the major:
ESM 3000, Survey of Emergency Management
ESM 3300, Planning for Emergency and Disaster Management
ESM 3100, Management of Terrorist Incidents
ESM 3200, Weapons of Mass Destruction
ESM 3500, Terrorism in the Modern World
ESM 3700, Homeland Security Law and Public Policy
ESM 3800, Natural Disaster Planning and Management
ESM 3900, Risk Analysis and Threat Assessment
ESM 4100, Organizational Development in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Organization
ESM 4200, Introduction to Science and Hazards
ESM 4400, Strategic Planning in Public Safety and Emergency Response Organizations
ESM 4500, Financial Management of Emergency Response Organizations
ESM 4600, Leadership in Emergency Management Organizations
You will also complete ESM 4300, Management of Human Resources in Public Safety Organizations.
Career Possibilities
Emergency Management Director
Plans and directs an organization's or community's response to disasters and emergencies.
Emergency Management Coordinator
Develops and coordinates emergency plans, training, and response across agencies and personnel.
Homeland Security Specialist
Assesses threats and develops plans to protect people, infrastructure, and communities.
Public Safety Administrator
Leads the operations, staff, and budgets of a fire, police, or emergency services organization.
Disaster Recovery Manager
Coordinates recovery efforts and resources in the aftermath of a disaster.
Risk and Threat Analyst
Evaluates hazards and vulnerabilities to guide preparedness and mitigation planning.
Emergency Response Team Leader
Leads personnel and coordinates operations during emergencies and disaster response.
Business Continuity Planner
Helps organizations prepare to maintain operations through emergencies and disruptions.
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