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The World Needs Heroes – Learn How to Help with a M.S. in Disaster and Emergency Management Degree
Become a leader in emergency management with Nova Southeastern University's top-ranked M.S. in Disaster and Emergency Management program. Gain cutting-edge skills to address complex disasters alongside renowned faculty and forge community partnerships for real-world experience.
Core Courses - 18 credit hours
DEM 5050 - Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Students will review the ecological, sociological, environmental, and general health
effects of disasters, natural and man-made. The course will explore the interprofessional
roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and volunteers in
all-hazards emergency planning, response, mitigation, and recovery. Students will
gain insights into all-hazards preparedness within the health system, community, and
state and local agencies.
Alternate Courses: PUH 5112, CJI 6121, HCP 6101, GERO 5050
DEM 5011 - Applied Research Methods
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
The main purpose of this course is to introduce students to quantitative and qualitative
methods for conducting meaningful inquiry and research. They will gain an overview
of research intent and design, methodology and technique, format and presentation,
and data management and analysis informed by commonly used statistical methods. The
course will develop each student’s ability to use this knowledge to become more effective
as disaster and emergency manager leaders.
DEM 5055 - Disaster Planning and Evaluation
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
Development of preparedness plans and response strategies is an important element
of emergency management. In this course, students will be introduced to the variety
of preparedness plans that are commonly used. Because agreements, personnel, vendors,
etc. often change, or exercises reveal gaps in a plan, they must be constantly updated.
Once students are familiar with the types of plans that are used, they will learn
to critically assess and evaluate existing plans. Students will be required to develop
a plan or annex as a final project for this course.
DEM 6010 - Practicum
Credit Hours: 3*
Prerequisite: 24 degree-qualifying credits
This is a culminating capstone experience for all M.S. students. With faculty approval,
students will select a community-based project for a practicum in an emergency preparedness
site or facility. The student is expected to acquire the skills and experience in
the application of emergency preparedness. Students in the practicum must complete
a comprehensive written paper and final oral presentation to the DEM faculty.
One course must be chosen from the options below.
DEM 5010 - Leadership and Organizational Behavior for Emergency Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
The application of effective leadership techniques and behaviors that influence is
a valued skill set that emergency preparedness professionals use to mobilize human
resources. Understanding and responding to organizational behavior is a challenge
that emergency managers routinely face. This course provides students with an understanding
of various leadership and organizational theories in the context of emergency preparedness.
Students will examine and develop a range of skills in a number of areas: the use
of 21st Century Management theories and practice, Group Dynamics, Leadership and Influence,
Conflict Management and the Dynamics of Positional Power and Authority. Students will
acquire these skills through experiential learning, observation and practice while
learning practical strategies for their application for personal and professional
growth in the Emergency Preparedness discipline.
DEM 5020 - Preparedness, Planning, Mitigation and Continuity Management
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course provides the student with an understanding of the techniques for in-house
or on-site planning as well as community planning. Planning will be addressed from
its position in the overall philosophy of Comprehensive Emergency Management. Regulatory
requirements for planning will be covered. Sample plans will be developed.
DEM 5040 - Security Management in a Global Society
Credit Hours: 3
This course will examine security challenges and responses that face a global society
including airport, maritime, rail, and auto safety. This course will provide students
with the opportunity to investigate security management in other countries in order
to make a comparison to the U.S. security management systems.
One course must be chosen from the options below.
DEM 5060 - Environmental Hazards in Emergency Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will provide a basic understanding of the many different environmental
hazards that can be associated with a variety of disasters and emergencies. Topics
to be addressed include types of hazardous materials, their storage and transportation,
hazardous waste, different types of physical, mechanical and agricultural environmental
hazards. Basic standards and regulations will be examined. Students will learn to
develop in-house and on-site emergency response contingency plans.
DEM 5080 - Agroterrorism and Food System Disasters
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will introduce the student to the dangers and impacts of natural disasters
and terrorist attacks involving agricultural or food industry targets. The student
will learn about potential targets, detection systems, vulnerability assessment, planning,
and recovery.
DEM 5090 - Weapons of Mass Threat and Communicable Diseases
Credit Hours: 3
Recommended: DEM 5050/PUH 5112/CJI 6121
This course will provide students with an understanding of pandemic influenza and
other communicable diseases. Students will also be introduced to potential chemical,
biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive weapons and will learn the expectations
of preparations and response to a pandemic or CBRNE event.
Alternate Courses: CJI 6122
Elective Courses - 18 credit hours
DEM 6120 - Psychosocial Dimensions of Disaster
Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on the psychological and behavioral health and psychological
impacts of emergencies, disasters and terrorism on survivors, responders and communities.
Topics will include identification and management of impacts and reactions, mental
health systems and resources, Psychological First Aid (PFA), and considerations for
vulnerable populations.
DEM 6130 - Risk and Crisis Communication
Credit Hours: 3
Students will be exposed to the strategies and methodologies in the exchange of information
among stakeholders about the nature, magnitude, significance, or control of a risk.
The course will focus on helping students to build trust and explain complexities
to individuals and groups when emergencies arise.
DEM 6150 - Grant-writing for Emergency Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5011, DEM 5050
Introduction to the skills of grant writing in emergency preparedness. Each student will submit a completed grant application as a culminating experience. This course introduces students to grant development and preparation so that they can participate in the process of obtaining public or private funds to support research, education and/or service projects.
DEM 6160 - Leadership Topics in Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
Leadership Topics is a course that will address current events or topics of special
interest related to disaster and emergency preparedness. This is a didactic course
rather than involving original research or a field experience.
DEM 6170 - Elective Practicum
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This is an elective experience available for all M.S. DEM students. With faculty approval,
students will select a community-based project for a practicum in an emergency preparedness
site or facility. The student is expected to acquire the skills and experience in
the application of emergency preparedness. This Elective Practicum is an option to
apply credit to a disaster deployment or temporary work with an NGO, such as the American
or International Red Cross. A comprehensive written report will be required upon completion
of the field project.
DEM 6180 - Exercise Design
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
In this course students will use a building block approach to exercise design that
will ensure successful progression in exercise complexity and execution, and allow
for appropriate training and preparation to occur in the community conducting the
exercise. Additionally, students will incorporate various evaluation methods to facilitate
the development of viable “After Action Reports” and “Improvement Plans.” By the end
of the course students will have designed of the many different types of disaster
exercises.
Specialization Tracks
If you choose a specialization track, you must take four courses from your chosen track, plus two courses from any part of the curriculum, including courses from any track or from the Management or Threats clusters.
Four courses must be chosen in this track to complete the concentration.
DEM 6310 - Introduction to Cybersecurity
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides the foundation for understanding the key issues associated with
protecting information assets, determining the levels of protection and response to
security incidents, and designing a consistent, reasonable information security system,
with appropriate intrusion detection and reporting features. Students are exposed
to the spectrum of security activities, methods, methodologies, and procedures. Coverage
includes inspection and protection of information assets, detection of and reaction
to threats to information assets, and examination of pre- and post-incident procedures,
technical and managerial responses, and an overview of the information security planning
and staffing functions. Reviews of past hacking, criminal, and terrorist (state and
non-state) attacks on information networks are a component of this course.
DEM 6320 - Information Security Protection
Credit Hours: 3
An overview of the technical aspects of information security. Issues discussed include
authentication, confidentiality, access control, trust and non-repudiation. Investigation
of fundamental assurance technologies that can be applied to interface specifications,
architectures, and implementations of information security mechanisms. The selection
of appropriate security applications, security lifecycles, and interoperability issues
will also be covered.
DEM 6330 - Cybersecurity and the Constitution
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the scope of cybercrime and its impact on today’s system of criminal
justice. Topics to be studied include: cybercrime and the Bill of Rights, computer-based
economic crime, electronic commerce, ethical challenges, and the Computer Fraud and
Abuse Act. Included will be an analysis of the legal considerations facing law enforcement
and cybersecurity professionals who deal with the problems of discovering, investigating,
and prosecuting cybercrime.
DEM 6340 - Cyber Vulnerability
Credit Hours: 3
Students discuss, at length, the reliability and vulnerability of computer-based technologies,
biometrics, and security technologies. Included are case analyses of external (hacking)
and internal (man-in-the-middle) attacks on government and private cyber communications
systems.
Four courses must be chosen in this track to complete the concentration.
DEM 6423 - Interagency Disaster Communication
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course provides an overview of the history, principles and organizational structure
of the Incident Command System (ICS), and will identify the core components of the
ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Topics will include communication,
pre-and post-mitigation planning, operational concepts, prioritization of target capabilities,
and development of an Incident Response Plan (IRP).
Alternate Course: CJI 6123
DEM 6424 - Community Disaster Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will emphasize “disaster resistant communities” and will provide information
on preparing and developing partnerships within the community. Regardless of the nature
of the incident, intentional or non-intentional, law enforcement may be charged with
enforcing public health orders, securing contaminated areas and health facilities,
providing protection and support for the transportation of national stockpiles, and
control of civil unrest. Resources may be overwhelmed and the ability to respond will
depend on preparation and partnerships within the community.
Alternate Course: CJI 6124
DEM 6404 - Community Planning, Response and Recovery for Families and Children
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course is designed to address interdisciplinary roles in preparation and post
disaster community health among families and children. The course will focus on the
impact of a disaster on health and family, dissemination of health information and
guides to family emergency planning. Topics will include: best practice of methods
and evaluations of the impact of disaster on health and family; dissemination of health
information; guides to family emergency planning; and avenues for public health and
safety disciplines to interface with health management organizations.
Alternate Course: HCP 6104
DEM 6410 - Emergency Preparedness Public Policy and Law
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will address relevant state and federal statutes which affect emergency
preparedness. Students will explore the legal implications of mitigation and preparedness
efforts and will also become familiar with legal resources available for future reference
and research.
Four courses must be chosen in this track to complete the concentration.
DEM 5060 - Environmental Hazards in Emergency Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will provide a basic understanding of the many different environmental
hazards that can be associated with a variety of disasters and emergencies. Topics
to be addressed include types of hazardous materials, their storage and transportation,
hazardous waste, different types of physical, mechanical and agricultural environmental
hazards. Basic standards and regulations will be examined. Students will learn to
develop in-house and on-site emergency response contingency plans.
DEM 5080 - Agroterrorism and Food System Disasters
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will introduce the student to the dangers and impacts of natural disasters
and terrorist attacks involving agricultural or food industry targets. The student
will learn about potential targets, detection systems, vulnerability assessment, planning,
and recovery.
DEM 6424 Community Disaster Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will emphasize “disaster resistant communities” and will provide information
on preparing and developing partnerships within the community. Regardless of the nature
of the incident, intentional or non-intentional, law enforcement may be charged with
enforcing public health orders, securing contaminated areas and health facilities,
providing protection and support for the transportation of national stockpiles, and
control of civil unrest. Resources may be overwhelmed and the ability to respond will
depend on preparation and partnerships within the community.
Alternate Course: CJI 6124
PUH 5220 - Environmental and Occupational Health
Credit Hours: 3
Investigates environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the development
of health problems in industrialized and developed countries. Includes such topics
as toxic substances, pests and pesticides, food quality, air and water pollution,
solid and hazardous waste disposal, occupational hazards and injury prevention.
Four courses must be chosen in this track to complete the concentration.
DEM 6610 - Fire Service Operations
Credit Hours: 3
This course will explore the role of the fire department as a part of the emergency
services and response community, as well as the greater community, during a disaster.
The concept of risk-based decision-making for amore effective response during disasters
or multiple casualty incidents will be addressed. Incident priorities, strategies,
and tactics as they relate to preparedness, planning, and incident management, as
well as de-escalation of the response, will also be discussed.
DEM 6423 - Interagency Disaster Communications
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of the history, principles and organizational structure
of the Incident Command System (ICS), and will identify the core components of the
ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Topics will include communication,
pre-and post-mitigation planning, operational concepts, prioritization of target capabilities,
and development of an Incident Response Plan (IRP).
DEM 6424 - Community Disaster Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
This course will emphasize “disaster resistant communities” and will provide information
on preparing and developing partnerships within the community. Regardless of the nature
of the incident, intentional or non-intentional, law enforcement may be charged with
enforcing public health orders, securing contaminated areas and health facilities,
providing protection and support for the transportation of national stockpiles, and
control of civil unrest. Resources may be overwhelmed and the ability to respond will
depend on preparation and partnerships within the community.
DEM 6410 - Emergency Preparedness Public Policy and Law
Credit Hours: 3
This course will address relevant state and federal statutes which affect emergency
preparedness. Students will explore the legal implications of mitigation and preparedness
efforts and will also become familiar with legal resources available for future reference
and research.
Four courses must be chosen in this track to complete the concentration.
DEM 6210 - Introduction to Maritime Safety and Security
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers basic shipboard safety awareness, covering topics such as personal
safety techniques and use of firefighting and other onboard equipment to protect one’s
self, crew and vessel at sea.
DEM 6220 - Maritime Safety and Security Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 6210
Ship’s officers are responsible for the safety of their crew. This course will introduce
the student to concepts such as crew leadership, target identification, the decision-making
risk matrix, and safety drilling. Students will learn to develop a vessel safety plan.
DEM 6230 - Maritime Security for the Cruise Line and Yachting Industries
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 6210
This course will address the safety issues specific to the cruise and yachting industries.
Topics will include keeping threats away from the vessel and protecting passenger’s
lives and well-being.
DEM 6250 - History of Maritime Disasters
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide a historical understanding of the development of the maritime
industry and will include topics such as piracy, commerce, naval warfare, and improvement
in naval architecture. The course will address these topics through a series of case
studies.
This track is in partnership with the Public Health program in NSU's Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. Four courses must be chosen in this track to complete the concentration.
DEM 6500 - Epidemiology of Disasters
Course Hours: 3
Recommended: PUH 5301; DEM 5011
This course will examine the fundamentals of epidemiology including basic concepts
in epidemiology concerning the distribution and determinants of disease frequency
in human populations and their investigation. Using a case-based approach, students
will use the basic principles and methods of epidemiological investigation to assess
the short-term and long-term effects of disasters and to predict consequences of future
disasters. This course will address topics areas including basic demography, measures
of disease frequency, disease screening and surveillance, descriptive and analytical
study design and sources of error in investigations.
DEM 6141 - Social Vulnerability: Implications in the Disaster Cycle
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will identify the at-risk and vulnerable populations and discuss how each
of these groups is affected in times of disaster. In addition, the course will address
the special needs and emergency response efforts that must be considered for each
of these groups.
DEM 6510 - Public Health Issues in Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will explore the pervasive relationship of public health in the emergency
and disaster prevention, response and recovery environment. The course will emphasize
the importance of the integration of public health in the development of effective
emergency response contingencies to disasters.
DEM 6165 - Healthcare Emergency Management
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: DEM 5050
This course will introduce you to multiple scenarios in which ICS was utilized during
a healthcare crises through the use of both case studies and established emergency
management principals. Students will be encouraged to discuss these responses and
examine how our current Incident Command System could of improved upon the outcome
of those incidents.
PUH 5314 - Global Health
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses global health problems and trends translated to the needs and
demands of populations, as well as the socioeconomic and political impact on health
delivery. The role of international health agencies will also be addressed.