Emergency Management

Emergency Management Fundamentals

Emergency management is the coordinated effort of highly trained professionals who respond quickly to all types of disasters to lessen the effects as much as possible on a community or its residents.

The University of Akron offers the only emergency management bachelor’s degree program in the state of Ohio and one of only a few in the country.

• As a “Step-Up” degree, the program builds upon strong technical programs in:
  • fire protection
  • criminal justice
  • community services
  • environmental health and safety
  • emergency medical services
• Core curriculum covers wide range of subjects, including:
  •  geology
  • climatology
  • ecology
  • research methods and applications
  • hazards prevention

Our Faculty

• are nationally recognized in the fields of
  • emergency management
  • public administration
  • fire protection
  • hazardous materials
• use multimedia technology to enhance classroom learning

Akron Advantage

Hands-on Experience

Service learning is incorporated into coursework and joint projects with emergency management agencies in Summit and Medina counties, as well as such nonprofit agencies as the American Red Cross.

Real-world Experience 

You are encouraged to gain practical professional experience with an internship. Participation gives you firsthand, on-the-job training in your area of interest within the field of emergency management.

Emergency Management Student Organizations

Interact with other emergency management students and professionals in the field through organizations such as: 

• International Emergency Management Student Association
• Fire Protection Society 

Sample Curriculum

Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management

Note: This program is to be used as a “Step-Up” degree program. Students who have completed academic work in fire protection, criminal justice, community services, emergency medical services or other related areas at Summit College can earn a bachelor’s degree by completing the courses listed below. For information about the first two years of the program, see the associate degree program academic guide in any of these specialties.

Third and Fourth Year Credits = 73 minimum

Total Credits = 134 to 139 (including associate programs)  

*A student must take 3 to 6 credits in either 2235:490 Current Topics or 3 to 6 credits in Emergency Management electives for a total of 9 credits.