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emergency management program offered

Tue., Jun 10

scot phelpsIn the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, last year's Virginia Tech massacre and the recurrent threat of "superbugs," emergency management training has taken on increased importance across the nation. Schools, government, hospitals, public health organizations and businesses have increased security and updated contingency plans to prepare for potential disasters. In an effort to respond to these societal needs, Southern Connecticut State University will launch a 12-credit, graduate-level certificate program in emergency and disaster management this September.

Scot Phelps (left), a Certified Emergency Manager and a former assistant commissioner for emergency management at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, has created and is coordinating the program. He is an associate professor of emergency management at SCSU.

Phelps said the program is being designed for those individuals who serve in an emergency management role - professionally or as a volunteer - or who wish to expand their job duties into the field. It is also geared toward those who currently may be unable to pursue a master's degree in emergency management, but seek additional education.

"The courses will be intense and students will be held to high standards," Phelps said. "But in the end, the students will have received excellent training and a better understanding of what is required in emergency management."

Students can complete the program in two to four semesters. Classes will be offered exclusively during evenings and on weekends. The current tuition rate is $449 per credit, in addition to a $55 registration fee.

To gain a certificate, students would be required to successfully complete the three "core courses" and at least one "endorsement course."

The core courses are:

  • Emergency, Disaster & Catastrophe Management Concepts I - covers the theory of emergency management
  • Emergency Disaster & Catastrophe Management Concepts II - covers the practice of emergency management
  • Emergency Project Management - covers the process of emergency management

Endorsement courses, which are also known as capstone courses, are:

  • Emergency, Disaster & Catastrophe Management Concepts III - covers the practice or emergency management
  • Contemporary Topics in Emergency, Disaster & Catastrophe Management - covers one of the following topics on a rotating basis (based on student demands): business continuity, school crisis management, public health preparedness, hospital emergency management, critical infrastructure and exercise design and evaluation

Students may take as many endorsement courses as they would like and can gain additional specific "endorsements" on their certificate to indicate their competence in those areas. 

Before coming to Southern, Phelps served for three years managing a Master of Public Administration program in emergency and disaster management at Metropolitan College in New York City.

Phelps brings more than two decades of emergency response experience, including serving as a paramedic and paramedic instructor. He has a master's degree from Yale Medical School and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He is a Certified Business Continuity Professional and a FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner.

Greg Paveza, dean of the School of Health and Human Services, said the program will benefit the university and the community.

"These types of programs are critically important, especially with the rash of recent tragedies," Paveza said.

Phelps added that this is the first emergency management graduate program in Connecticut.

For more information about the program, visit the Web site.