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Bachelor of Applied Science in Emergency Management (BAS-EM)

An All Hazards Emergency Management Program

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Emergency Management degree program accepts students on a continuous basis. This leadership and management degree program is part of a guided career pathway designed to prepare students to become 21st century emergency management professionals. The Emergency Management (EM) program is available fully online (with a hybrid option) to prepare students to oversee all-hazard emergency planning and training programs, coordinate disaster planning, and coordinate response and recovery efforts.

Traditional career pathways into emergency management jobs have evolved, and an industry need for EM professionals with complex, cross-functional jobs requires new skill sets. There is a growing need in all sectors of the community for agile career professionals who understand the complex nature of emergency preparedness, disaster management and homeland security, including cyber security.

Recognition of the need for whole community involvement has led to the growth of professional homeland security and emergency management careers with a myriad of titles found in both the public and private sectors.

The BAS-EM program builds off the strong foundation of a professional technical Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Emergency Management, but is available to anyone who meets general entry requirements (see below).

Who is Encouraged to Apply

  • Applicants with an associate degree in Emergency Management (EM) or any related field
  • Current or former members of the U.S. military seeking to build upon education, training and experience gained through military service.
  • Individuals interested in or indirectly affiliated with emergency preparedness or disaster management or homeland security. Credit may be given for emergency management related training that is accredited through the American Council on Education.

Admission Requirements

  • NOTE: Students lacking any of these requirements are encouraged to speak with an the EM Program Chair to determine the best way to meet those requirements, either prior to or after admission to the program
  • Completion of at least an associate degree (or 90 college level credits) with a cumulative GPA for all college-level credits of 2.0 or greater
  • Completion of 45 college-level general education credits, inclusive of these 5 general education requirement blocks: Communication, Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural sciences, including lab
  • Completion of the following pre-requisite courses (or their equivalent): ENGL&101, EM 102, and CIS 130
  • Completion of the BAS application
  • Students who do not have a related AA degree, related work experience, or a certificate of completion for the National Emergency Management Basic Academy (NEMBA) should complete the following FEMA Independent Study (IS) Courses: IS 100, IS 120, SI 200, IS 230, IS 235, IS 240, IS 241, ISE 242, IS 244, IS 700, and IS 800 at the FEMA IS website.

Application Checklist

Before submitting your application (see link below), please have the following documents ready:

  • Unofficial transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges. Note: if some or all transcripts are from other countries, they will need to be evaluated. Evaluations can be conducted by any agency in NACES.
  • Training transcripts from FEMA (if applicable). There are two types of FEMA transcripts (Resident and Independent Study) and both should be included in your application. Please do not send individual course certificates. 
  • Personal Statement (300–400 words) articulating the applicant’s personal and professional interests in a BAS-EM degree and the profession of emergency management.
  • One (1) letter from a personal, professional or academic reference.
  • Professional resume.
  • NOTE: Graduates of the Emergency Management or Homeland Security Emergency Management Associate at Cascadia, Edmonds, Highline, Pierce, Peninsula, or Olympic colleges do not need to include unofficial transcripts or a letter of reference as part of their application. 

Submit Application

To submit your application, e-mail the items on the Application Checklist to smiller@pierce.ctc.edu.   

Assistance

For questions about the application process or admissions requirements, or if you have submitted an application to the program and have not received a response, please email smiller@pierce.ctc.edu.

Additional Information