Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Graduate Certificate

This certificate is designed for students who wish to work, or currently work, in the field of emergency management and homeland security. The program applies an interdisciplinary approach to education, emphasizing high-level skills of critical thinking, learning, adaptation and policy analysis.

The Program at a Glance

School: School of Public Affairs Campus: CU Denver Classroom: Online and on campus classes Recommended completion time: 1 Year Credits required for completion: 12 Maximum transfer credits: 0 Maximum credits per year: In most cases, students wishing to take more than 18 credit hours per semester (12 in the summer session) must have the overload approved by the dean. Application deadline: Fall: August 1; Spring: December 1; Summer: May 1

The Details

Students completing the Graduate Emergency Management and Homeland Security Certificate will have the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage a broad range of hazards and disasters and to understand the policy environment in which emergency management occurs.

Students interested in obtaining a concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security within a Master of Public Administration or Master of Criminal Justice program must apply and enroll in one of these programs within the School of Public Affairs and must adhere to all master degree program requirements.

Review CU Denver's Academic Policies.

Program requirements

  • The Graduate Emergency Management and Homeland Security Certificate requires 12 credit hours of coursework.
  • Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, with a minimum grade of B- in each course.

Required courses

Students must complete two of the required courses below (all four recommended), for a total of 6 credit hours. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.

  • PUAD 5650 - Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3 credit hours)
    PUAD 5655 - Principles of Emergency Management (3 credit hours)
  • PUAD 5720 - Public Policy for Hazards and Disasters (3 credit hours)
  • URPL 6645 - Disaster and Climate Change Planning (3 credit hours)

Elective courses

In addition to the required courses, students must complete two elective courses, which have been approved by their advisor, for a total of 6 credit hours. The elective courses may be drawn from the student's particular area of interest, such as policy and management, spatial analysis and quantitative assessment, or public safety. All course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Academic Catalog.

Admissions Requirements

View the admissions requirements for the School of Public Affairs.

Events for prospective students

Which MPA is Right for Me? (Webinar)
| 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Cost/fee: Free
During this one-hour webinar, you will learn about the School of Public Affairs' three different versions of the Master of Public Administration program (i.e. traditional, executive, accelerated). Specifically, we will discuss structural, curricular, and cost similarities and differences. You will have the opportunity to submit questions throughout the presentation.
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