Emergency Management
Students will take courses such as hazard analysis and management, collaboration and communication for disasters, and preparedness and risk mitigation.
Concentration Courses
HBS 503: Administrative Law and Regulatory Policymaking
Legal foundations of the administrative state. Agency implementation of legislation through rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication. Legislative oversight, executive control, and judicial review of agency actions.
HBS 535: Emergency Management
Existing policies and agencies in the area of emergency preparedness and response at the federal, state, and local levels. Emphasis on case studies of past incidents, emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes.
HBS 534: Public Organization, Theory, and Behavior
Examination of organizational theory and behavior with emphasis on implications for public management. Includes theories of decision-making, leadership, communications, and group dynamics.
Earn an optional Emergency Management Certificate
HBS 537: Leading Across Difference
Leading and managing diverse teams to achieve collective goals.
Armando Trevino, Class of 2026
“I came into the Online MPA program with the goal of getting a degree to help check a box in order to obtain a job in emergency management. What I didn’t expect was to realize how unaware I was of the depth and responsibility involved in public administration. This program has pushed me to think critically, apply real world solutions to current events, and reflect more deeply on the role public servants play.
This program has equipped me with stronger critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of complex decision making. I’ve learned that while data and metrics are essential, they don’t always tell the full story, and at the same time, purely altruistic approaches aren’t always practical in public service. Balancing these realities has helped me grow as a future leader in emergency management.”