Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's Master of Public Policy (MPP) program with a specialization in Emergency Management is designed to develop leadership, communication, and organizational skills and build knowledge of public safety and emergency management procedures and concepts. Specialization courses focus on coordination efforts among law enforcement, medical, and fire personnel; business management methods relating to public safety organizations; public safety ethical issues; and first-responder processes. Core coursework addresses strategic planning techniques, public policy governance, financial management, social justice issues, change management, and policy analysis methods. A capstone course allows students to develop an integrative research project that expresses their understanding of core and specialization topics.

What Are the Prerequisites?

You should hold a bachelor's degree or higher and have an academic background in public administration, emergency management, or business management. Applicants may need to complete additional requirements for some programs.

What Are the Course Requirements?

To earn this degree, you must complete 66 quarter credits, which consist of 45 credits in core courses, 15 credits in the area of specialization, a five-credit capstone, and a one-credit foundation course. Coursework is taken sequentially as shown below, with two courses taken in each of the program's seven quarters. Estimated time to completion is less than two years. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.

Course Requirements

Core Courses

• Foundations for Graduate Study
• Ethics and Social Justice
• Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination
• Governance and Public Policy
• Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector
• Leadership and Organizational Change
• Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions
• Program Evaluation
• Public Policy and Finance
• Advanced Public Policy Methods and Analysis

Specialization Courses

• Critical Issues in Emergency Management
• Risk Assessment, Preparedness, and Hazard Mitigation
• Disaster Response and Recovery

Capstone

• Choose one of the following:
  • Capstone Seminar
  • Writing a Quality Prospectus

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Options

As a graduate of this program, you could be prepared to assume responsibilities for emergency planning, safety management, public health coordination, or fire and rescue operations. You could seek employment in public safety offices, government agencies, community health centers, security firms, consulting companies, or nonprofit public safety organizations. Positions you could pursue include:

• Public safety director
• Disaster relief director
• Emergency management analyst
• Senior emergency management coordinator

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.