Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) and Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) program are offering a new degree and majors for students interested in strengthening community safety and security.
Beginning in fall 2026, FSU students will have two new majors — the Emergency Management major and the Intelligence Studies major — available to them as part of the new Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies (EMIS) bachelor’s degree program.
The development of the degree program began more than four years ago and has undergone extensive review and revision by college and university officials, leadership and committees. The curriculum reflects EMHS faculty and staff’s extensive experience in the field and ensures graduates are best positioned for success serving their communities.
“The development of this degree program builds upon the proven success of our certificate offerings, which are well regarded within the field, while addressing a growing demand among students seeking to contribute to the safety and security of their communities,” said David Merrick, director of FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and Center for Disaster Risk Policy. “The state of Florida is recognized for having one of the nation’s most comprehensive emergency management and homeland security programs, consistently demonstrating leadership in innovation and research. This degree exemplifies FSU’s commitment to developing leaders dedicated to addressing critical issues at the local, state and Federal levels.”
The launch of the degree program was made possible thanks to the collaboration of all EMHS faculty and staff as well as leadership from COSSPP and the university as a whole.
“These new majors demonstrate FSU’s and the college’s commitment to applied learning, public service and academic excellence, while preparing students with the analytical, technical and leadership skills needed to succeed in emergency management, homeland security and intelligence careers.”
– COSSPP Dean Timothy Chapin
The new Bachelor of Science degrees will help prepare students for careers in emergency and disaster management, including roles in the government or private sector, along with state and federal intelligence community positions, and various public safety and public sector jobs. EMHS has leveraged existing faculty and staff to create the new degree program, while enhancing EMHS’s ongoing commitment to practical, experiential learning and community service.
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 EM major are equipped to design resilient systems, support vulnerable populations and lead effective emergency operations in government, nonprofit and private sectors. Upon graduation, students are qualified for careers in the public and private fields of EM both domestically and internationally.
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 a variety of techniques, all while examining information through a critical and unbiased lens. This track 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, cooperation and collaboration. Upon graduation, students will have an education that translates into the practical experiences that employers in the intelligence field value.
“The addition of the new Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies bachelor’s degree is a direct response to the evolving challenges our communities, state and nation face,” said Timothy Chapin, dean of COSSPP. “These new majors demonstrate FSU’s and the college’s commitment to applied learning, public service and academic excellence, while preparing students with the analytical, technical and leadership skills needed to succeed in emergency management, homeland security and intelligence careers.”
For more information, visit em.fsu.edu.