Program at a Glance
- Program
- Master
- College(s)
- College of Community Innovation and Education
- Department(s)
- Public Administration, Schl of
The Master of Emergency Management and Crisis (MECM) is designed to prepare individuals to practice as highly trained practitioners in the emergency management field through the development of core competencies including: resiliency, hazard mitigation and analysis, disaster response and recovery, emergency preparedness and planning, fiscal management, communication, intergovernmental administration, geographic information systems, legal and ethical decision making, cultural competency, and general emergency management.
The frequency of man-made and natural disasters has dramatically increased since the 1990s; emergency and disaster declarations in the U.S. reflect it. Florida is the fifth highest state with 168 major disaster declarations between 1953 and 2022. For communities to be prepared for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate these disasters, an educated workforce of emergency management specialists is required. Students in UCF's Master in Emergency and Crisis Management program will learn and demonstrate the competencies required to ethically lead and manage in this dynamic and complex profession.
The Master of Emergency and Crisis Management program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. The program is offered completely online, and students have an option of taking part-time or full-time coursework.
Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Please Note: The Emergency and Crisis Management MECM is offered completely online. Newly admitted students who choose to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
This online program is not suitable for international students (F or J visa) who are required to take a portion of their program via in-person classes. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.
UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.
Highlights
Application Deadlines
- Fall
- June 1
- Spring
- November 1
Application deadlines subject to change, see the Graduate Studies website for up-to-date deadlines.
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Course Overview
Hazard Analysis and Disaster Planning
Examine geospatial aspects of hazards analysis and planning with reference to disaster preparedness, recovery, mitigation and resilience.
International Emergency and Crisis Management
Explore the world of crises, disasters and emergencies. They devastate, injure and kill, wherever they occur, but when they strike the least among us, the devastation, the injuries and the fatalities increase exponentially. You’ll be expected to complete this course with a well-defined mental map — a map that will guide your understanding of new crises, disasters and emergencies as they increase in frequency and intensity around the world. We want you to be both engaged and thoughtful observers and participants in the WORLD of emergency management.
Environmental Planning and Policy
Learn the underlying concepts, approaches and critical issues in the field of environmental planning and management. Environmental planning processes will be examined from various political/ geographical scales and within a policy content.
Managing Emergencies and Crises
Analyze and integrate the basic crisis management steps: hazard mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response and recovery — building analytical and practical skills necessary to perform effectively in homeland security/emergency management-related positions.
Emergency and crisis management is dynamic and requires an all-hazards, whole community approach. The COVID-19 pandemic and growing number of cybersecurity attacks on all levels of governments are two of the many hazards our community needs to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate. As technology evolves, the risks we face continue to evolve and change drastically. This degree provides a solid foundation for current and future leaders to face common crises and disasters as well as those we have yet to experience.”
Emergency & Crisis Management Skills You’ll Learn
- Develop plans and strategies to help organizations and communities prepare, respond and recover from disasters.
- Mitigate potential hazards caused by natural and human-induced disasters.
- Facilitate the education of organizations and communities on emergency preparation and response best practices.
- Communicate with the public before, during and after a crisis.
- Lead in an ethical and culturally competent way.
Career Opportunities
- Director of Emergency Management
- Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
- Crisis Manager/Lead
- Emergency Management Coordinator
- Health and Safety Specialist
- Disaster Recovery Specialist
Admission Requirements
The admissions process for the Master of Emergency and Crisis Management degree at UCF begins with the receipt of the general UCF graduate application requirements. From there, you will need to provide the various program application requirements. Please note that this program is offered completely online, so computer skills and internet access are necessary to take the courses.
Admission to this program is competitive. We encourage you to apply early and provide all requested materials by the established deadline. Materials received after the deadline may not be considered.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, you must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended showing a GPA of at least 3.0
- Resume
- A statement of interest
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues
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