Undergraduate Program - Bachelor of Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies
Beginning in the Fall of 2026, students may enroll in the new Bachelor of Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies (BSEMIS) degree, with two possible majors: Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies.
Our Faculty and Staff have decades of experience, ensuring that students get relevant, practical knowledge from our classes. Students will be challenged, often in subjects very different from other academic studies. This emphasis on real-world experience bridges the gap between theory and practice, and strengthens the students' grasp of critical information.
Major in Emergency Management
The major in Emergency Management (EM) prepares students to become leaders in emergency management and homeland security. Students in this major will learn key principles of EM policy and planning, primarily through an analysis of real-world scenarios and problems. Students will also study the technical skills and tools required to manage the collection of disaster intelligence for effective response and recovery. Graduates of the major are equipped to design resilient systems, support vulnerable populations, and lead effective emergency operations in government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Upon graduation, students qualified for careers in the public and private fields of EM both domestically and internationally.
Emergency and disaster management is a rapidly growing field in the United States and around the world. This bachelor’s degree prepares students with a comprehensive understanding of how communities plan for, respond to, and recover from complex emergencies. Through applied coursework and real‑world problem solving, students develop practical skills that distinguish them in public service, nonprofit, and private‑sector careers.
The major includes courses on:
- Emergency management, both domestic and international
- EM policy development and planning
- Homeland security policy
- Terrorism, including international policy analysis
- Public health
- Public information
Students complete a variety of classroom and real-world experiences and develop critical skills for working in the field of emergency management.
The major is offered both on campus in Tallahassee and via distance learning.
The FSU Academic Program Guide provides a complete description of the major, course requirements, prerequisites, and requirements for progressing to the Upper-Division. If you have questions, you can reach our advising team at advising@em.fsu.edu or by calling 850-644-9961.
Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor's degree in either Emergency Management or Intelligence Studies. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to these majors at this time.
Major in Intelligence Studies
The major in Intelligence Studies (IS) prepares students to become leaders in the fields of homeland security and intelligence. Students in IS will focus on all aspects of the intelligence process. The program covers processing raw information from various sources into a finished intelligence product through the many techniques and procedures necessary to do so. This track also instructs students in the formulation of national security and intelligence policy by focusing on intelligence collection and reporting, as well as emphasizing the importance of intelligence partnerships. Upon graduation, students will have an education that translates into the practical experiences that employers in the intelligence field value.
The growing emphasis on the practice and professional community of the U.S. intelligence field has created a strong demand for well‑prepared analysts and decision makers. This bachelor’s degree provides students with a comprehensive foundation in real‑world analytic methods, critical thinking, and applied problem solving. Graduates develop skills that extend well beyond national security, with concepts and approaches that are equally valuable in fields such as business, psychology, public policy, and the arts.
The major includes courses on:
- Analysis methods
- Critical thinking
- Plain-language writing
- Policy development
- National Security
- Terrorism and Conflict
- Ethics
The bachelor's program also allows students to hone knowledge of regions and cultures for better analytical skills, useful in the world's current climate.
Students complete a variety of classroom and real-world experiences and develop critical skills for working in the field of intelligence and homeland security.
The major is offered both on campus in Tallahassee and via distance learning.
The FSU Academic Program Guide provides a complete description of the major, course requirements, prerequisites, and requirements for progressing to the Upper-Division. If you have questions, you can reach our advising team at advising@em.fsu.edu or by calling 850-644-9961.
Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor's degree in either Emergency Management or Intelligence Studies. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to these majors at this time.