Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy (COSSPP) will introduce two new majors, Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies, as part of the Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies (EMIS) bachelor’s degree program starting in fall 2026.
The development of this program began over four years ago. It has undergone a thorough review process by college and university officials to ensure that the curriculum meets current needs in community safety and security. The program builds on the experience of faculty from FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) program.
David Merrick, director of FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and Center for Disaster Risk Policy, said: “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. 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 new Bachelor of Science degrees aim to prepare students for roles in emergency management, disaster response, intelligence analysis, public safety, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private sector companies, as well as state and federal intelligence positions. The EMHS program used its existing faculty resources to develop these majors while maintaining its focus on practical learning experiences.
Students majoring in Emergency Management will study policy principles through real-world scenarios. They will learn technical skills related to disaster intelligence collection for effective response efforts. Graduates are expected to design resilient systems, support vulnerable populations during emergencies, and lead operations across various sectors both domestically and internationally.
Those choosing Intelligence Studies will focus on all stages of the intelligence process—transforming raw data into actionable information using different techniques while maintaining objectivity. The curriculum covers intelligence collection methods as well as cooperation between agencies. Graduates will be prepared for careers requiring analytical skills valued by employers in national security fields.
Timothy Chapin, dean of COSSPP stated: “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.”
More details about these programs can be found at em.fsu.edu.
