Undergraduate Programs

Research-based, applied, career-focused, in person curriculum.

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The Major

Whether a student completes the emergency management major in person or remote synchronous, the student should be able to do the following by the time they graduate:

  1. Describe the evolution of emergency management
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of threshold concepts in emergency management
  3. Analyze the contexts in which emergency management occurs
  4. Distinguish between the stakeholder groups involved in emergency management
  5. Critique how emergency management endeavors have been/are undertaken on the basis of empirical evidence
  6. Evaluate the significance of skills, training, and experience pursued while seeking an emergency management degree in the context of other program learning objective

It is not just a promise that our student's will be able to do these things, we have a plan and we assess student learning. Check out our undergraduate assessment plan and rubrics. 

Minor Options

People around the world are increasingly affected by disasters—natural and man-made. The Vulnerability and Capacity Building minor focuses on developing knowledge about human suffering caused by these events and how that can be reduced. The curriculum covers how the most vulnerable members of society, such as children, the elderly and the poor, are affected and how nonprofits, schools, hospitals and other organizations help people in the aftermath. This minor option is ideal for anyone who wants their career to focus on helping people, i.e., those who will go on to be doctors, nurses and those who will work in nonprofits, education, human and family development, counseling, and social work and more. The minor option may be completed in person or remote synchronous.

Department of Emergency Management Minor Guide
Vulnerability and Capacity Building Handout
Minor Change Form

The number of natural and manmade disasters around the world has been increasing for decades as have the range of impacts to people, property, infrastructure, businesses, and the environment. The Risk Resilience Management minor option focuses on understanding this trend and investigating options to reverse it by reducing or eliminating risks from hazards before and after these events occur. The curriculum covers how construction, environmental management, engineering, and development policies interact with hazards in positive or negative ways; how to understand and assess risks in those contexts; and how building capacity to withstand disasters is a critical part of community development. This minor option is ideal for anyone who will be involved in the design and maintenance of organizations and communities. For example, anyone who intends a career in construction management, facilities management, architecture, landscape architecture, industrial, civil, or mechanical engineering, planning, natural resource management, environmental management, law, politics, and public administration would be well served by what they learn through pursuit of this option. The minor option may be completed in person or remote synchronous.

Department of Emergency Management Minor Guide
Risk and Resilience Management Minor Option Handout
Major/Minor Change Form

The nation faces threats: transnational and domestic terrorism, data breaches, cybersecurity issues, failing infrastructure and natural disasters. These threats are constantly evolving, requiring an educated and adaptable workforce to respond. The Homeland Security minor option is designed to prepare you to be part of that knowledgeable and nimble workforce. Anyone intending a career in law enforcement, criminal justice, law, communication, and public administration. The minor option may be completed in person or remote synchronous.

Department of Emergency Management Minor Guide
Homeland Security Minor Option Handout
Major/Minor Change Form

Thanks to the generosity of a donor, two to four $250 scholarships will also be awarded to individuals who select the Homeland Security minor option each year. Click to apply: https://www.ndsu.edu/onestop/finaid/scholarships/

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