Law and public service - Public safety, security and emergency management

This concentration offers specialized training at a time when organizations increasingly depend on digital infrastructure to protect information and critical systems. Demand is rising for professionals who understand cyber threats and are prepared to lead emergency planning and response efforts.

Coursework delves into topics ranging from cyber risk management and forensics to cyber policy and planning. Whether you’re focused on hazard mitigation or crisis response and recovery, this program supports a wide array of opportunities to advance your cybersecurity career.

As one of five concentrations in ASU’s online master’s in emergency management and homeland security, this program also promotes an all-hazards, all-threats knowledge base. You’ll gain a well-rounded understanding of hazards governance, program evaluation, geographic information systems and data analysis across a variety of emergency events.

Who's a good candidate for this program?

This program is designed for professionals who hold or are pursuing operational responsibilities related to cyber vulnerabilities and attacks, rather than technical roles. Common backgrounds include first response in fire and law enforcement, as well as experience in security operations across sectors.

Ideal candidates are looking to expand their impact by balancing foundational knowledge in emergency management and homeland security with targeted skills to address cyber risks. This expertise can lead to roles in operations, planning, program management and supervisorship across all levels of government and in private organizations.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is tasked with preparing for, preventing and responding to domestic emergencies, including terrorism and natural disasters. In this homeland security master’s degree, you’ll learn how to develop protection, mitigation and preparedness measures to minimize and prevent the impacts of natural and human-made threats and hazards.

Homeland security is one of five concentrations available as part of the Master of Arts in emergency management and homeland security program. Concentrations are typically chosen based on previous professional experience and personal interests. In this concentration, you’ll cover a variety of topics, including disaster prevention and response, management best practices and public policy.

Additional concentrations include:

• Biosecurity and threat management.
• Community resilience.
• Cybersecurity policy and management.
• Emergency management.

What you can do with a master’s in homeland security

Throughout this homeland security master’s, you’ll build important leadership skills needed to guide local or national response to potential emergencies, disasters and other societal threats before, during and after crises. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to take on positions across government agencies, corporations and nonprofits in a variety of fields.

Additionally, private sector firms are increasingly hiring personnel to provide internal security and intelligence analysis, both on physical and cyber-related threats. Private sector employers typically hire homeland security professionals in technology, finance, insurance and public health fields.

Do I need a degree to work for Homeland Security?

Earning a homeland security master’s degree may make you a stronger candidate when applying for management and analysis positions within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or similar agencies. A master’s degree equips you with advanced skills and knowledge to better position yourself for high-level job opportunities.

This master’s concentration incorporates a range of holistic perspectives to help you become a better collaborator, problem-solver and leader within law enforcement administration. This program encourages you to investigate the underlying causes of crime. You’ll also learn how to think through strategies to prevent and reduce crime and create strong and resilient communities.

Courses provide a solid foundation in data analysis, organizational leadership, public policy and administration. With these skills, you’ll be prepared to be a positive agent of change within police departments and law enforcement agencies.

What is law enforcement administration? Do I need a master's degree for executive roles?

Law enforcement administration organizes and ensures police departments operate according to standards and legal requirements. Administering a police department or other emergency service unit requires in-depth knowledge of the fields of law, public service and emergency management. It also requires a strong ability to understand the needs of your staff and community.

If you’re looking to lead in law enforcement administration, a law enforcement degree will help you gain the skills and experience needed to compete with other qualified candidates for the job.

In this master’s degree in public safety leadership and administration with a concentration in executive fire administration, you’ll learn to navigate fire and emergency services as a manager to reduce risk and preserve the safety of the communities your fire services division protects. You’ll also study a variety of topics, such as:

• Emergency services operations analysis.
• Fire and emergency services innovation.
• Function and impact of budgeting and finance.
• Leadership and program evaluation.

How is this master's in fire administration different from a fire science degree?

Prepare to become an agent of positive change within a fire service department. This program differs from a traditional fire science degree because of its specialization in administration and leadership. In this program, you’ll gain the skills needed to effectively organize and lead a team in a fire department, including public policy and administration, data analysis and organizational leadership. 

Will this master's degree prepare me to be a fire chief?

Upon completion of this program, you’ll be armed with the knowledge and skills needed to become a senior leader in the fire service, which includes the role of fire chief. Public safety administration leaders manage and coordinate the delivery of emergency response services. These professionals work behind the scenes to enable fire, police and other crisis response workers to provide effective, life-saving support to communities in need. 

Emergency medical services (EMS) is the practice of providing acute medical care to people outside of a hospital setting. EMS professionals, such as paramedics or EMS administrators, organize, prepare for and provide emergency health care in critical situations.

This program emphasizes the present-day objectives of emergency medical care, including mobile health care delivery and community paramedicine. Throughout this program, you’ll learn how to implement solutions and strategies to improve the patient care experience in mobile integrated health care and design emergency medical systems that better serve your community. Upon graduation, you’ll be in a position to compete for leadership employment opportunities in public, private and nonprofit EMS agencies or explore other opportunities in hospitals and behavioral and social service agencies.

Is this program similar to a master’s in paramedicine?

While this master’s degree offers courses in paramedicine through the EMS concentration, coursework also features general public safety leadership and administration teachings. For this reason, this program isn’t similar to a master’s solely focusing on paramedicine.

Who’s a good candidate for this EMS master’s degree concentration?

This online EMS master’s degree concentration is ideal for students interested in entrepreneurial and leadership roles in emergency care systems, such as administering emergency teams and organizations within mobile integrated health care.

It’s important to note that this program doesn’t offer training to become a paramedic and is designed for students who have existing experience within the field.

This program prepares you to support communities, enabling them to withstand crises, recover quickly and rebuild effectively. Courses will cover strategies to inspire change, drive impact and strengthen our urban systems. Additionally, you’ll learn to plan, manage and make quick decisions during emergencies —  key abilities for professionals in disaster resilience and response leadership positions.

Upon graduating, you’ll be prepared to:

• Anticipate and address risks, reduce vulnerabilities and improve recovery efforts.
• Lead these recovery efforts and disaster response.
• Support communities at every stage of natural and human-made emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks and acts of terrorism.