Associate in Applied Science

Earn your degree in emergency and disaster management

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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.

A.A.S. degree program plan

Program Overview

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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.

F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course

FIRST SEMESTER:

A grade of C or better in all EMG courses is required for all students.

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
EMG 101	Introduction to Emergency Management	3	Program Requirement
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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
EMG 253	Ideologies of Terrorism F	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
ENG 101	Composition	3	AAS General Education
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 100 with a grade of C or better. Other placement options. ENG_Placement_Grid.pdf ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
FIS 132	Hazardous Materials	3	Program Requirement
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.). Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
MGT 150	Business Math ¹	3	AAS General Education
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. Students must score satisfactorily on a mathematics placement test prior to registering for this course. Prerequisite: Placement options. Math_Placement_Grid.pdf Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023

SECOND SEMESTER:

A grade of C or better in all EMG courses is required for all students.

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
EMG 103	Leadership, Influence, Decision Making and Problem Solving S	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
EMG 107	Incident Management Systems S	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
EMG 155	Social Dimensions of Disaster S	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology ⁺	3	AAS General Education
Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with 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 Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
SPE 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3	AAS General Education
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 Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023

THIRD SEMESTER:

A grade of C or better in all EMG courses is required for all students.

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
BIO 260	Human Anatomy or
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. Prerequisite: Placement into ENG 101. ENG_Placement_Grid.pdf Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
NTR 101	Fundamentals of Nutrition	3-4	AAS General Education
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) Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
	Electives²	3	Program Requirement
EMG 150	Public Information, Education and Community Relations F	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
EMG 201	International Disaster Management F	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the fall term. Examines globally how disasters are on the increase, impacting communities and nations with grave social and economic consequences. Studies the international 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
FIS 280	Firefighting Around the World ⁺	3	Program Requirement
Description: Introduces students to the rich history of firefighting throughout the world, explaining how traditions in this profession vary widely from country to country. Provides students with an understanding of those differences in fire equipment, mobile apparatus, strategy and tactics, as well as fire prevention, suppression, and investigation procedures involved in firefighting around the world. Focuses on the world’s major fire organizations and how they directly relate or differ from the American Fire Service. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023

FOURTH SEMESTER:

A grade of C or better in all EMG courses is required for all students.

Number	Course Title	Credits	Category
	Electives²	9	Program Requirement
EMG 153	Hazard Analysis and Mitigation S	3	Program Requirement
Description: This course is only offered in the spring term. 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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
EMG 299	Emergency Management Systems Practicum	1	Program Requirement
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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023
FIS 260	Emergency Services Safety	3	Program Requirement
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. Class Schedule: Spring 2023 \| Summer 2023 \| Fall 2023

¹ - MGT 150, MTH 080, or MTH 101 or higher is acceptable.

² - Select at least 12 credit hours from the following courses: EMG 131, EMG 151(F), EMG 205(S), EMG 231, EMG 251, FIS 121, FIS 230(F), FIS 250(S), FIS 270(S).

⁺ - This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.

Program learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:

Evaluate and analyze simple and complex, natural and man-made disasters.
Collaborate with other officials in order to prepare and analyze damage assessment following a disaster incident.
Conduct surveys to determine the types of emergency-related needs in local disaster planning.
Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations and open shelters.
Direct emergency response teams and provide on-site investigations.
Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
Administer public emergency recovery programs.
Design and administer emergency/disaster training programs to the general public.
Understand federal, state, county and local regulations and details that affect emergency response and disaster control.
Inspect facilities and equipment, such as emergency response centers and communications equipment for readiness.
Effectively communicate within and outside the organization, in both written and oral formats.

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Students interested in emergency and disaster management may also be interested in:

Resources

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Next steps

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.