Welcome to Oklahoma State University’s Graduate Program in Fire and Emergency Management Administration

Thank you for visiting our Fire and Emergency Management Administration Graduate Program website. Our graduate program is one of the oldest and largest programs in the nation. We believe that we offer a superior academic experience in both preparing leaders in the fire services, disaster management, and other emergency management professions as well as educators and researchers in these fields.

Brief History

We first established our graduate degree program in 1996 as a Master of Arts specialization in Fire and Emergency Management within political science and admitted our first students in 1997. In 1999, we received approval to convert and upgrade this program to offer a stand-alone degree: the Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Management Administration. The MS degree is aimed primarily at preparing fire and emergency management professionals, and those seeking entry into these professions, for leadership. Our 39 semester credit-hour curriculum addresses public policy, strategic administration, organizational management, human dimensions of disaster, leadership, and terrorism/homeland security and culminates in a capstone “practicum.” Those MS students who intend to pursue a doctoral degree are encouraged to complete a thesis in lieu of the practicum.

In 2009, we received approval to offer of a Doctor of Philosophy in Fire and Emergency Management Administration and admitted our first student cohort in 2010. This degree is designed primarily to prepare students to become scholars in the field. It is anticipated that most graduates will seek appointments in academia, research institutions, and high level leadership positions. The 60 semester credit-hour curriculum further develops the topics included in the masters curriculum but adds additional coursework in research design, research methods, pedagogy, and specialized electives that allow each student to further develop his or her particular interests.

Residence or Distance: You Choose

Students can complete degree requirements either online as “distance” students or on campus as “resident” students. Distance students must complete nine credit-hours on campus to satisfy OSU’s Graduate College Residence Requirement. This is usually accomplished by attending three one-week summer courses offered in our annual Summer Institutes.

Featured Students: | M.S. Student | Ph.D. Student |