U.S. Naval Community College, Embry‑Riddle Introduce New Emergency Management Degree Program

Sailors conduct firefighting training during a mass casualty drill on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Lagunes)

Jan 24, 2025, 4:00 PM

The U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC) and Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University have partnered on an Associate of Science in Emergency Management degree program, which is designed for servicemembers seeking to enhance their operational readiness and disaster response capabilities.

Offered to enlisted sailors, marines and coast guardsmen through Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Campus, the online degree program teaches students how to work with communities to not only manage disasters when they occur but also to reduce risks. Students learn to collaborate with government agencies, non-profit organizations and private companies in planning processes to minimize damage and disruption during emergencies. The program also covers organizing disaster response efforts and supporting the recovery and resilience of communities.

The program, which launches this spring, prepares graduates for emergency management roles in both the military and civilian sectors. Applications are currently open.

“We are very pleased to add the Associate of Science in Emergency Management program to our offerings for the service men and women at the USNCC,” said Dr. John Watret, FRAeS, chancellor of Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide Campus. “This program offers a comprehensive foundation in emergency management and prepares students with the necessary skills for leadership roles in the evolving all-hazards and whole community context of emergency management.”

Professional certifications recognized by government and industry are also embedded in the coursework for the Associate of Science in Emergency Management, including a certificate from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) for completing the FEMA Emergency Management Institute Professional Development Series. Two other certificates are also included in the program: The Naval Studies Certificate, which provides a naval-relevant foundation for students’ lifelong educational journeys, and The Embry Riddle Emergency Management Leadership Certification, which sets students apart for leadership roles.

The Associate of Science in Emergency Management program is transferable to four-year bachelor’s degree programs at Embry‑Riddle. Students may choose to continue on to earn the following degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services, a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security, a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Safety Management. They can also choose a different program of study.

In recent years, Embry‑Riddle and the USNCC have partnered on several degree offerings, including associate degrees in Aviation Maintenance, Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems and Engineering Fundamentals.

USNCC and Embry‑Riddle also offer students the following standalone certificate programs:

Aviation Maintenance Part 65 Certificate
Engineering Fundamentals Certificate
Uncrewed Systems Technology Certificate

Embry‑Riddle is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. While the USNCC is pursuing accreditation — a process that typically takes two to three years — Embry‑Riddle will be the primary degree grantor for this associate degree program, ensuring the service members who graduate from this program receive a transferable degree from an accredited institution.

The USNCC is the official community college for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. To learn more about the program, visit the USNCC website.

Posted In: Institutional News | Security Intelligence and Safety