Emergency Management, Certificate

Through the emergency management certificate program at Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies, you will learn to administer aid and assistance to others, helping to ensure the resilience of your community in the face of disasters large and small.

This comprehensive, multi-disciplinary SLU program focuses on all sectors recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), providing students with essential skills for careers in the emergency management sector.

As part of the Saint Louis University School for Professional Studies, this program offers enterprising adults like you a flexible option to meet your personal and career goals. With multiple start dates available, you can begin working toward your certificate at any time. All courses are offered in eight-week terms through SLU Online, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals.  

Faculty

As a student in the School for Professional Studies at Saint Louis University, you’ll learn from exceptional faculty who are leading experts in their fields. They bring real-world knowledge to the classroom and are dedicated to your professional success. Learn more about the SPS faculty.

Careers

Potential careers include emergency manager, risk manager, disaster communications, business continuity, homeland security professional, search and rescue, firefighting, law enforcement, and training and exercise officer.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Undergraduate Tuition
Standard Tuition $650
Active Duty/Veteran (TA eligible or GI Bill); First Responders $295
BJC Partnership $333

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

  • Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specifically for new students.
  • Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at Office of Student Financial Services.

  1. Graduates will be able to comprehend emergency management and homeland security principles that impact local, regional, national and global communities.
  2. Graduates will be able to examine the professional role of the emergency manager.
  3. Graduates will be able to evaluate methods used to develop policies for emergency management and homeland security.
  4. Graduates will be able to describe the interconnectedness of agencies and organizations involved in emergency management and homeland security.
  5. Graduates will be able to apply the fundamental principles of emergency management across its core phases of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Admission Requirements

  • Completed application
  • High school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250
  • Minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance)
  • Official transcript from the most recent institution attended
Upon admission, a new student must successfully complete a virtual meeting with their academic coach to be enrolled in first-term coursework.
 
The School for Professional Studies welcomes adult learners seeking an undergraduate education after life circumstances have interrupted their educational journeys. Adult life circumstances, for the purposes of admission, would include individuals with at least one of the following characteristics:
 
  • Delayed enrollment in post-secondary education
  • Attends part time for at least part of the academic year
  • Works full time (35 hours or more/week) while enrolled
  • Is financially independent
  • Has dependents other than a spouse
  • Is a single parent
  • Has other demands that make traditional education less feasible
 

Program Requirements 

EMGT 1500Fundamentals of Emergency Management3
EMGT 1600Managing Natural, Man-made, and Technological Disasters3
EMGT 1710First Responder Coordination in High Impact Disasters3
EMGT 2900Emergency Management Fundamentals Practicum3
EMGT 4810Emergency Management Homeland Security Technologies3
SSI 2000Threat and Risk Assessment3
Total Credits18

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum of 2.00 GPA and receive a C or better in all certificate classes. 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Fall 1  
EMGT 1500 Fundamentals of Emergency Management 3
Fall 2  
EMGT 1600 Managing Natural, Man-made and Technological Disasters 3
EMGT 1710 First Responder and Healthcare Coordination in High Impact Disasters 3
 Credits9
Spring
Spring 1  
EMGT 4810 Emergency Management Homeland Security Technologies 3
SSI 2000 Threat and Risk Assessment 3
Spring 2  
EMGT 2900 Emergency Management Fundamentals Practicum 3
 Credits9
 Total Credits18