Emergency Management

The emergency management major provides a diversity of courses designed to give students the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to help save lives and property from the potentially devastating impact of large-scale disasters.

The Program

Emergency management is both a profession and a field of study addressing the four stages of disaster management: preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. The field covers natural and technological disasters, as well as issues of homeland security. The mission of the major is to create a cadre of graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research.

Faculty and Facilities

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Emergency Management at North Dakota State University has four faculty members specializing in emergency management. The faculty provides expertise in specialties such as response operations, building disaster resistant and resilient communities, social vulnerability to disasters, and the sociology of disasters.

Laboratories

NDSU is engaged in a collaborative effort with the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management to establish an alternative emergency operations center (EOC) that would be available for use should the main EOC for the state of North Dakota become inoperable. The availability of such a facility provides multiple opportunities for training and study in how an EOC operates when faced with an emergency.

Preparation

Students are encouraged to plan a curriculum that gives them a broad general education. Emergency management is an inter-disciplinary field drawing on the social, behavioral, natural and applied sciences. Our program also prepares students to pursue their interests in emergency management at the graduate level and offers graduate work leading to an M.S. or Ph.D. in emergency management.

Career Opportunities

Numerous career opportunities are available to those graduating with an emergency management major. Positions are available at all levels of government including city, county, state and federal. A wide variety of local, national and international voluntary organizations routinely hire people trained in emergency management, and there is increasing emphasis on hiring emergency managers in the private, business sector. In light of the continuing need to manage natural and technological disasters and current homeland security issues there will be an increasing need for highly skilled emergency managers.

Internship Program

Students in emergency management may apply for internships. Students typically complete internships during their junior or senior year. Internship opportunities exist in many agencies throughout the region and nation and can be done anytime during the calendar year. Students who complete internships are able to combine the theoretical and applied aspects of professional preparation. Internships are an important element of successful job placement. Students can work in a variety of settings including state and local government, human service and volunteer agencies, community development organizations, business and industry.

Sample Curriculum

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Dr. Daniel J. Klenow
Emergency Management
North Dakota State University

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Emergency Management
Minard Hall 402
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8925
E-mail:Daniel.Klenow@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/saem

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)