Master of Emergency Management Science

Darcy Leutzinger, PhD, Program Director

Admission Requirements

Earned bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited program in public service/health (e.g., Public Health, Fire Science, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Psychology, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Communication, Health Administration, Public Administration). Other similar health professions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
A cumulative GPA of 2.65 or better in all post-secondary coursework
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
Meet Technical Standards
- Online learning requires only basic technical skills:
  - Competency with file management (e.g., creating a folder on your desktop, moving files from one location to another, finding a saved file)
  - Internet navigation skills
  - Download plug-ins from the Internet
  - Update your Internet browser
  - Send and receive email
  - Create and save documents (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or HTML)
  - Copy text from a word processing program and paste it into another program
- The University of the Pacific will provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities otherwise qualified to complete the essential functions of the curriculum. However, such essential functions must be completed by the student in a reasonably independent fashion.
GRE is not required
No credit will be granted for work-related experiences
Current CV/Resume
Statement of how the program aligns with the applicant’s goals

Transfer Credit

Up to 6 credits may be transferred for work completed at the graduate level in an Emergency Management program. Transfer credit equivalencies will be determined by the program director.

Program degree requirements

The MEMS program is a full-time program with a cohort based plan of study. Students are required to enroll full-time and must advance through a pre-determined curriculum in sequence with their cohort. Students are required to successfully pass each course in a given trimester in order to advance to the subsequent trimester with their cohort and progress in the program. Students who do not pass a course, or who withdraw from a course, will not be able to progress with their cohort in the program. Students may be able to rejoin the program at a later date if allowed by program policy and approved by the program director.

Required Courses, sequenced by term

First Year
Trimester 1		Units
MEMS 200	Emergency Management Science Fundamentals	3
MEMS 201	Risk Assessment and Planning in Disasters	3
MEMS 210	Emergency Management Science Capstone I	1
	Term Units	7
Trimester 2
MEMS 202	Crisis Communication in Emergencies	3
MEMS 203	Disaster Response and Recovery	3
MEMS 211	Emergency Management Science Capstone II	1
	Term Units	7
Trimester 3
MEMS 204	Interdisciplinary Incident Command Systems	3
MEMS 205	Public Health in Emergencies	3
MEMS 212	Emergency Management Science Capstone III	2
	Term Units	8
Trimester 4
MEMS 206	Public Health and Business Continuity Planning	3
MEMS 207	Technology in Emergency Management Science	3
MEMS 213	Emergency Management Science Capstone IV	2
	Term Units	8
Total Unit: 30

Emergency Management Sc Courses

MEMS 200. Emergency Management Science Fundamentals. 3 Units.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the history and evolution of the emergency management profession, with a strong emphasis on public health. It delves into contemporary concepts, functions, and practices essential for effective emergency management across government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Prerequisites: Admission to MEMS program or permission of Instructor.

MEMS 201. Risk Assessment and Planning in Disasters. 3 Units.

This course explores the methodologies and practices of risk assessment and mitigation within the field of emergency management. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach, the course integrates principles from public health, trauma response, environmental science, engineering, public policy, and social sciences. Prerequisites: Admission to MEMS program or permission of Instructor.

MEMS 202. Crisis Communication in Emergencies. 3 Units.

This course explores the critical role of communication before, during, and after crises in the field of emergency management. The course integrates theoretical insights with practical applications, emphasizing the importance of timely, accurate, and clear communication to various stakeholders, including the public, healthcare teams, media, and emergency response teams. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 203. Disaster Response and Recovery. 3 Units.

This course explores the principles, strategies, and practices of disaster response and recovery. Emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach, this course integrates theoretical frameworks with practical applications and addresses the complexities of coordinating efforts across various agencies, sectors, and public health systems. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 204. Interdisciplinary Incident Command Systems. 3 Units.

This course provides an in-depth study of Interdisciplinary Incident Command Systems (ICS), emphasizing their application in managing complex emergencies and disasters. The course covers the coordination and integration of efforts across various disciplines, including public safety, physical and mental healthcare, environmental management, and critical infrastructure. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 205. Public Health in Emergencies. 3 Units.

This course examines the role of public health in the context of emergencies and disasters. The course covers the principles, strategies, and practices necessary to protect and promote public health during crises, including health risk assessment, disease prevention, and health system resilience in the face of natural and human-made disasters. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 206. Public Health and Business Continuity Planning. 3 Units.

MEMS 207. Technology in Emergency Management Science. 3 Units.

This course explores the role of technology in modern emergency management practices. The course covers a wide range of technologies and their applications in emergency management with a focus on implementing and managing various technological tools and systems to improve emergency management outcomes. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 210. Emergency Management Science Capstone I. 1 Unit.

This course explores current and emerging topics in emergency management. Students will engage in research and discussion on recent developments, trends, and challenges in the field. Prerequisites: Admission to MEMS program or permission of Instructor.

MEMS 211. Emergency Management Science Capstone II. 1 Unit.

This course provides students with hands-on experience in emergency management. Students will formulate a topic for a professional research presentation on an emergency management topic of their choice. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 212. Emergency Management Science Capstone III. 2 Units.

This course introduces students to research methodologies specific to emergency management. Students will learn how to design and conduct research, including qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection, and analysis. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 213. Emergency Management Science Capstone IV. 2 Units.

In this final course in the capstone sequence, students will utilize their knowledge and skills from the previous capstone courses to complete a professional presentation on a topic of their choice in emergency management. This course integrates knowledge and skills gained throughout the program. Prerequisites: Admission to the MEMS program and successful completion of previous trimester coursework or permission of instructor.

MEMS 291. Independent Study. 1-4 Units.

MEMS 293. Special Topics. 1-4 Units.