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Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Safety

School of Undergraduate Studies

Emergency Management specialization

Advance your career in the fast-growing field of emergency management. This undergraduate specialization provides an overview of public safety research, theory, and principles within an emergency management framework. The curriculum focuses on such topics as emergency planning and decision-making, homeland security, disaster response and recovery, and hazard identification and mitigation. A capstone project provides the opportunity to apply and demonstrate emergency management skills gained during the course of the program. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing career advancement or deeper expertise in emergency management, or are planning to transition from the military into a civilian public safety career.

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Total Program: 180 quarter credits
Up to 132 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
1000-2000 Level Credit: $275
3000-4000 Level Credit: $345

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General Education Requirements

To complete your bachelor's degree, you will need 45 quarter credits in general education subject areas with a minimum of 6 quarter credits from each category. We offer general education courses in communication, humanities, natural science and mathematics, and social science.

Residents of Arkansas must complete Arkansas general education requirements.


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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Tuition discount grows as you learn

    Capella supports your long-term educational goals with a bachelor's-to-master's tuition discount program. It could mean up to a 45% discount on tuition for your master's degree courses.

    When you graduate from Capella with your bachelor's degree and enroll in any Capella master's degree, your total discount percentage can be applied to each master's level course you take.

  • Earn graduate credits while completing your bachelor's degree

    With Capella's Combined Bachelor's/Master's options, you could start earning master's-level credit during your bachelor's program. You may be able to save thousands over the cost of pursuing each degree separately and reduce your time to master's degree completion by up to two quarters. Speak to an enrollment counselor about possible financial aid implications of choosing a Combined Bachelor's/Master's option.

    To be eligible:
    • Enroll in an eligible Capella bachelor's program under current admission requirements.
    • After you have completed 100 quarter credits of bachelor's-level course work and have earned a 3.0 GPA, you may enroll in one of the Combined Bachelor's/Master's options.
    • Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA to remain in the combined option.
    Combined Bachelor's/Master's options available for this specialization:
    • BS to MPA
    • BS to MS in Public Safety
  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

    Concentrations available as part of this specialization include:
    • Finance
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
  • Expand your career options with additional specializations

    Increase your knowledge and career options by earning multiple specializations as part of your bachelor's or master's degree program at Capella. If you have elective courses in your program, you may be able to use them toward earning another specialization. However, completing additional specializations may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

MAT2050 - Statistical Literacy is required for Emergency Management specialization.

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PS3004 - Communication Strategies for the Public Safety Professional - 6 quarter credits
  • PS3100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • PS3200 - Introduction to Emergency Management
  • PS3300 - Principles of Security Management
  • PS3400 - Introduction to Homeland Security
  • PS3500 - Applied Public Safety Theory
  • PS3600 - Principles of Public Safety Investigation
  • PS3700 - Justice, Crime, and Ethics
  • PS3800 - Applied Public Safety Research Methods
  • PS3900 - History of Violence in the U.S. Society
  • PS3950 - Introductory Public Safety Statistical Research* - 6 quarter credits

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PS4210 - Principles of Emergency Management*
  • PS4220 - Emergency Planning
  • PS4225 - Emergency Management and Homeland Security
  • PS4230 - Leadership in Emergency Management
  • PS4240 - Technology in Emergency Management
  • PS4250 - Decision Management in Critical Incidents
  • PS4260 - Hazard Identification and Vulnerability
  • PS4265 - Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness*
  • PS4270 - Disaster Response Operations and Management
  • PS4280 - Disaster Recovery*
  • PS4290 - Social Dimensions of Disaster

Elective Courses

  • Choose 37 quarter credits of additional undergraduate courses.
  • Recommended elective courses:
  • PS2100 - Introduction to Corrections
  • PS2200 - Criminal Investigation
  • PS2300 - Introduction to Juvenile Justice
  • PS2400 - Introduction to Criminal Law

Capstone Course (taken during learner's final quarter)

  • PS4990 - Public Safety Senior Capstone Project - 6 quarter credits

View all bachelor's degree specializations

* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Along with the Criminal Justice specialization, Capella offers specializations in Emergency Management and Homeland Security in our BS in Public Safety Program.


In the field of public safety, we also offer master's specializations in Public Safety Leadership, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management. You can also earn two complementary degrees – a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and MS in Public Safety – in less time and at less cost than pursuing the two degrees separately with our MS and MPA Joint Degree program.





Almost ready to graduate GREAT program

March 15, 2011Bonnie I am a 50 yr old learner looking to change fileds and found Capella through the FEMA website. I have been a fulltime student for almost 18mos now and will graduate in December, as I had college credits that transfered in from previous education. This program has been an excellent experience drawing on the vast experiences and strengths of the students as well as instrucotrs in each class Ihave taken. Without a doubt I would recommend it to others and may consider coming back for my Master's through this school.

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March 11, 2011hugh I'm looking for a school that will provide a good degree toward my career.
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