Career options 
Prepare for a career in emergency and disaster management with this 61-credit-hour degree program. You’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to secure full-time employment in emergency management roles at local, state and federal levels. This program will prepare you for a job as emergency manager specialist, emergency services manager, emergency management planner, emergency operations director, environmental compliance planner or emergency disaster coordinator.
Take classes in emergency management, ideologies of terrorism, hazardous materials, incident management systems, social dimensions of disaster, hazard analysis and mitigation, international disaster management and more. You’ll get hands-on experience training in Harper College’s on-site lab, which enables you to walk through realistic emergency scenarios, use communication equipment and practice working in different roles within a chain of command.
This 61 credit-hour program in Emergency and Disaster Management provides foundational knowledge and initial exposure to the Emergency Management field. Students explore a variety of areas within the discipline, including the four phases of emergency management, terrorism in emergency management, as well as inter-agency disaster management. This degree program is designed for students seeking entry-level exposure to the emergency management field, as well as for professionals in industries such as fire science, homeland security, and emergency response administration who are seeking to bolster their emergency management background. This degree program is recognized by FEMA's Emergency Management Institute for higher education.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
First Semester | Hours | |
| EMG 101 | Introduction to Emergency Management | 3 |
Description: Provides a foundation overview of emergency management. Students will examine the need for emergency management, processes and elements involved in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 107 | Incident Management Systems | 3 |
Description: Introduces students to the Emergency Management System and elements involved which include incident command, unified command, and incident action planning. Emergency management systems which will be examined will include the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Managing post-incident critiques and evaluations also will be explored. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 253 | Ideologies of Terrorism | 3 |
Description: Examines the various analytical approaches to the study of terrorism. Students will be exposed to the ideologies and composition of known terrorist groups, review terrorist tactics and examine police and governmental responses to reduce or eliminate the incidence of terrorism. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with a grade of B or better and required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with a grade of B or better and required reading placement test score. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 150 | Business Math 1 | 3 |
Description: Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Second Semester | ||
| EMG 103 | Leadership, Influence, Decision Making and Problem Solving | 3 |
Description: Presents differences in personal values and interpersonal influence styles, and to apply situational leadership behaviors in emergency management. The course content reinforces existing management skills required for building an emergency management system. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 155 | Social Dimensions of Disaster | 3 |
Description: Introduces students to the various aspects of sociology and recovery from disasters. Topics will include aspects of a disaster such as behavioral and organizational responses to disasters as well as the impact of the media. Students will study the concept of building a disaster-resistant community. This course will also cover topics related to terrorism such as a terrorist sociological analysis, the dimension of terrorism. Prerequisite: EMG 101 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| GIS 100 | Introduction to Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 |
Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with an emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Third Semester | ||
| BIO 260 | Human Anatomy | 3 |
Description: Introduces the anatomy of the human body; the following systems studied either regionally or systemically: integumentary, skeletal, articular, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive. Includes some introductory histology. Specially designed for students in health careers, biology, and physical education. Strongly recommended preparation: One year of high school biology with a grade of C or better taken within the last five years, or BIO 110. (NOTE: Lab science credit.) Formerly BIO 160. IAI BIO920C Prerequisite: Placement into college-level English without support. https://www.harpercollege.edu/testing/english-placement-grid.php Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| or NTR 101 | or Fundamentals of Nutrition | |
Description: Introduces the science of nutrition and its relationship to health and disease. Nutrients found in foods, their digestion, absorption and metabolism by the body; cultural, socioeconomic and psychological influences on food selection; and application of these concepts to promote good nutritional health and prevent disease will be covered. (formerly DIT 101) Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| DRO 101 | Mastering Drone Flight: Essential Skills and Techniques | 3 |
| Elective(s) | 3 | |
| EMG 150 | Public Information, Education, and Community Relations | 3 |
Description: Provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge in public information, education, community relations, communications and involved elements including writing, public speaking, and understanding the media. The course content will also introduce concepts of volunteer program utilization and maintenance. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HED 206 | Introduction to Community and Public Health | 3 |
Description: Focuses on the functions of community health organizations and the way they relate to individual health needs. Helps students to analyze and evaluate health promotion practices at the community level. Examines the historical and contemporary public health stories to begin to understand the contexts, systems, professions, tools and skills associated with the public health enterprise. Students will learn basic public health principles and will recognize an array of factors that shape both the health of individuals and populations. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
Fourth Semester | ||
| Elective(s) | 12 | |
| EMG 153 | Hazard Analysis and Mitigation | 3 |
Description: Introduces students to various means of hazard analysis used to prioritize response activities, allocate resources, and specifically request other resources to save and sustain lives. Students will examine the need for mitigation programs and discuss the appropriate methods to implement various mitigation programs. Prerequisite: EMG 101 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 299 | Emergency Management Systems Practicum | 1 |
Description: Provides practical emergency management experience in a supervised professional setting focused on the integration of theory and practice. Actual experience in various phases of emergency management will be provided through mutually agreed upon cooperative projects with government and industry. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in EMG 205, EMG 251 and EMG 253 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: N/A Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 5 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with MGT150 (Business Math) or Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
Students need to choose a course to meet this requirement that also meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least 15 credit hours from the following courses: | 15 | |
| EMG 131 | Public Safety Dispatcher I | |
Description: Introduces students to the field of emergency services dispatching and provides an overview of its components and responsibilities. As such, it will provide the foundation for statewide competency as a public safety telecommunicator as outlined by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) in its Public Safety Telecommunicator Training and Standards document, Basic Level Training Curriculum (September 1996). Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 201 | International Disaster Management | |
Description: Examines globally how disasters are on the increase, impacting communities and nations with grave social and economic consequences. Studies the internatioonal response to disasters which is convoluted, at times chaotic, and always complex. Students will learn about shifting socio-economic situations, unplanned urbanization, environmental degradation, climate variability and change, geological hazards, and the struggle for scarce natural resources. Because disasters increasingly impact the global economy and the sustainable development of developing countries, the student will learn how to apply international emergency disaster management. Prerequisite: EMG 101 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 151 | Emergency Management Policy and Planning | |
Description: Provides students with the skills to develop plans and policy as an Emergency Management Specialist. Examines the concepts of writing an emergency operations plan and the elements necessary for inclusion in the plan (all-risk hazard planning). Prerequisite: EMG 103 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 205 | Crisis Exercise Design and Evaluation | |
Description: Introduces students to different aspects of crisis exercise design and evaluation. Students will identify specific needs to adhere to federal or state directives pertaining to required exercises, to utilize proper training strategies and to identify performance gaps. The course will include exercise design and group dynamics, conducting an exercise, analyzing the results, conducting a critique and implementation of corrective actions and recommendations. Prerequisite: EMG 151 and EMG 153 with grades of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 231 | Public Safety Dispatcher II | |
Description: Builds upon the foundation laid through EMG 131 and provides student with specific knowledge required to professionally handle emergency as well as non-emergency calls for service in the public safety environment. At the conclusion of this course, students will possess a basic understanding of the role, responsibility and equipment utilized by telecommunicators to accomplish their mission. Prerequisite: EMG 131 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| EMG 251 | Select Problems in Emergency Management | |
Description: Exposes students to various aspects of select problems in emergency management including environmental, funding and political issues. Students will learn about local governments and jurisdictions, the political process, support agencies, crisis management for business and industry and contingency planning. This course will also address long-term incidents and professional development. Prerequisite: EMG 101 with a grade of C or better. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| FIS 260 | Emergency Services Safety | |
Description: Provides a foundation of knowledge and understanding of safety as applied to emergency services. Examines the need for safety in the everyday performance of all aspects of their jobs and gain an understanding of the essential elements needed to reduce accidents and injuries. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| FIS 132 | Hazardous Materials | |
Description: Reviews basic chemistry, storage, handling, laws, standards and fire fighting practices pertaining to hazardous materials. Emphasis on identification, labeling, handling, firefighting, and mitigation of hazardous materials emergencies. Students who wish to satisfy the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall Certificate Requirements must successfully complete this course as well as the required practical skills evaluation prior to taking the state examination by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (A.H.J.). Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
Students interested in emergency and disaster management may also be interested in:
For more information about emergency management training at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.