Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's online Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration program with a specialization in Emergency Management is designed to focus on developing the leadership skills needed to support government and nonprofit agencies during times of crisis. The program culminates in a dissertation that is composed of research done in a specific area of emergency management. However, before you can begin to research a topic, you must first complete a sequence of core and specialization courses. Some of these courses include leadership and organizational change, ethics and social justice, writing a quality prospectus, advanced mixed methods reasoning and analysis, and advanced quantitative reasoning and analysis. You may complete your program in either a course-based format or a mixed-model format that allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in a less structured program of study.

What Are the Prerequisites?

To apply to this program, you must have at least three years of experience in the field and a master's degree or higher. Applicants should also have have strong management, analytical, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.

What Are the Program Requirements?

The Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration program with a specialization in Emergency Management consists of 82 credits for the course-based format and 101 credits for the mixed-model format, which combines online coursework with specialized research projects called Knowledge Area Modules (KAMs). The program coursework is divided into core courses, specialization courses and the Foundation Research Sequence. Both formats require four Ph.D. residencies and a dissertation.

Course Requirements: Course-Based Format

Core Courses

• Foundations for Doctoral Study
• Ethics and Social Justice
• Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector
• Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination
• Leadership and Organizational Change
• Writing a Quality Prospectus
• Governance and Public Policy
• One advanced research course (choose one):
  • Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis
  • Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
  • Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

Specialization Courses

• Public Safety Issues
• Managing Public Safety Organizations
• Ethics in Preserving Public Safety

Foundation Research Sequence

• Research Theory, Design, and Methods
• Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

Course Requirements: Mixed-Model Format

Core Courses

• Foundations for Doctoral Study
• Ethics and Social Justice
• Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector
• Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination
• Writing a Quality Prospectus
• One advanced research course (choose one):
  • Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis
  • Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
  • Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

Specialization Courses

• Public Safety Issues
• Managing Public Safety Organizations
• Ethics in Preserving Public Safety

Foundation Research Sequence

• Research Theory, Design, and Methods
• Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
• Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

Knowledge Area Modules

• KAM V: Democratic Governance
  • Breadth: Theories of Democratic Governance
  • Depth: Contemporary Research and Issues in Democratic Governance
  • Application: Professional Practice Application of Democratic Governance
• KAM VI: Organizational Leadership and Change
  • Breadth: Classical and Emerging Paradigms of Leadership and Organizational Change
  • Depth: Current Research on Leadership and Organizational Change
  • Application: Professional Practice Application of a Theory of Leadership and Organizational Change

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Opportunities

Once you have completed Walden University's Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration program with a specialization in Emergency Management, you will have an opportunity to compete for positions with private, public, and nonprofit organizations and businesses. Governmental agencies that are potential employers include the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Many Ph.D. holders choose to enter academia and pursue a career in teaching and research. Professors also publish papers in academic journals and mentor students as program advisors. Some possible job titles include:

• Professor
• Emergency management specialist
• Director of emergency management
• Emergency management analyst

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