Sharon Starcher, D.B.A.
Assistant Professor of Business, Program Director
When safety is your business,
The possibilities are endless.
Build on your workplace experience and passion with this Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Emergency Management.
Designed specifically for current and future first responders (fire, community agencies, etc.) and facility safety managers, courses are designed to provide expansive knowledge and a practical guide to leadership and management.
You will walk away with knowledge in emergency management, disaster, risk, and emergency planning with an option to learn about organizational behavior, marketing, and accounting for managers. You will also obtain various FEMA certifications as part of this emphasis, preparing you for career growth and development.
Some of the FEMA Certifications include such topics as:
- Leadership and Influence
- Continuity of operations
- COVID-19 prevention plans
- Planning for future disasters
- Earthquake basics; science, risk, and mitigation
- Public information officer awareness
- For a detailed program brochure click here
Program Highlights
- Choose between face-to-face or fully online program options
- Cohort groups meet together one night per week
- Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
- Learn from experienced university faculty and assignments that apply to the field of emergency management
- Collaborate with students who come from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
- Dive into innovative course material with practical application for the field, e.g. "Disaster Response and Recovery"
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Faculty
Catalog
Program Director: Sharon L. Starcher, DBA
Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Emergency Management is designed to provide expansive knowledge and a practical guide to leadership and management, within the field of emergency management. Classes such as management, organizational behavior, marketing, and accounting provide the foundation for advanced classes in emergency management. The key to this 24-month program is a consistent focus on participation, application of theories and concepts, and performance. With our bachelor's degree emphasis in Emergency Management, graduates will complete four courses designed specifically for first responders (fire, community agencies, etc.) and facility safety managers who want to gain knowledge in emergency management, disaster, risk, and emergency planning. Students will also obtain various FEMA certifications as part of this emphasis, preparing them for career growth and development. Threaded throughout the major is an ethical employee and leadership perspective. The major is designed to provide a solid background for graduates to use in seeking responsible employment or promotion.
Admissions Requirements
- Application form and fee
- A minimum 2.4 GPA, below 2.4 can submit a petition
- Two years' postsecondary work experience.
- Need a minimum of 6 transferable units, below 6 units can submit a petition
- Note: need 60 units before starting the major
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Business Content Knowledge: the student demonstrates mastery of foundational knowledge in general management, organization development, human resource management, managerial accounting, the legal and ethical influences in business, and marketing. USLO Content Knowledge
- Critical Thinking: the student evaluates business conditions, identifies problems, and creates solutions within the business context utilizing critical thinking skills. USLO Critical Thinking
- Faith Integration: the student recognizes Christian ethics and values, and the student integrates his/her faith-based ethics and values as the student formulates decisions that affect the business community and its environment based on the course focus. USLO Moral Reasoning, Service
- Communication: the student conveys researched ideas clearly through professional written and oral communication that utilizes the current language of the business community. USLO Oral Communication, Written Communication
- Cultural Awareness: the student applies management practices that demonstrate the student's understanding and respect for organizational culture, for diverse cultures at large, and for the impact to society and the environment. USLO Perspective
- Reflection and Personal Growth: the student integrates advanced self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness into supportive service as a professional, a team member, and a leader. USLO Reflection
Emergency Management Emphasis
- Need a minimum of 6 transferable units, below 6 units can submit a petition
- Note: need 60 units before starting the major
- Business Content Knowledge: the student demonstrates mastery of foundational knowledge in general management, organization development, human resource management, managerial accounting, the legal and ethical influences in business, and marketing. USLO Content Knowledge
- Critical Thinking: the student evaluates business conditions, identifies problems, and creates solutions within the business context utilizing critical thinking skills. USLO Critical Thinking
- Faith Integration: the student recognizes Christian ethics and values, and the student integrates his/her faith-based ethics and values as the student formulates decisions that affect the business community and its environment based on the course focus. USLO Moral Reasoning, Service
- Communication: the student conveys researched ideas clearly through professional written and oral communication that utilizes the current language of the business community. USLO Oral Communication, Written Communication
- Cultural Awareness: the student applies management practices that demonstrate the student's understanding and respect for organizational culture, for diverse cultures at large, and for the impact to society and the environment. USLO Perspective
- Reflection and Personal Growth: the student integrates advanced self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness into supportive service as a professional, a team member, and a leader. USLO Reflection
Emergency Management Emphasis
EM1. Research and Analysis: the student demonstrates the ability to analyze emergency and disaster-related data and derive accurate meaning in the emergency management context. USLO Information Literacy
EM2. Information Literacy: Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and manage risks for emergency responders and managers in business or government to reduce losses both in terms of human life and in damages to property with proper emergency planning.
Credit-Bearing Grades
Students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for their business administration-emergency management courses. Exceptions: Students may receive credit for BIB-314 and BIB-451, as well as any other general education or elective course, with a D -.
Program Length
18 month cohort program
Locations Offered
Online
Degree Pathways
Business Administration - Emergency Management, B.A. (DC) Two Year Pathway
Program Co-requisite Courses (6 units)- ECON 103Â -Â Introduction to Economics Credits 3
- MATH 205Â -Â Introductory Statistics Credits 3
Required Courses (33 units)- ACCT 301Â -Â Accounting for Management Credits 3
- BIB 114Â -Â Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
- BIB 251Â -Â Biblical Perspectives for Leadership Credits 3
- BUS 430Â -Â Business Information Systems Credits 3
- BUS 431Â -Â Organization Behavior Credits 3
- BUS 434Â -Â Individual in the Organization Credits 3
- BUS 442Â -Â Ethics and Values in Organizations Credits 3
- BUS 475Â -Â Law and the Business Environment Credits 3
- FIN 460Â -Â Business Finance Credits 3
- INTB 370Â -Â International Business Credits 3
- MKT 320Â -Â World of Marketing Credits 3
Emphasis Courses (9 units)- EMGT 305Â -Â Introduction to Emergency Management Credits 3
- EMGT 320Â -Â Introduction to Disasters, Hazards and Risk Assessment Credits 3
- EMGT 410Â -Â Disaster Response and Recovery Credits 3
Capstone Course (3 units)- EMGT 450Â -Â Emergency Planning Credits 3
Electives - Select business courses offered in any emphasis area to meet the total number of required units
- ACCT 301Â -Â Accounting for Management Credits 3
- BIB 114Â -Â Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
- BIB 251Â -Â Biblical Perspectives for Leadership Credits 3
- BUS 430Â -Â Business Information Systems Credits 3
- BUS 431Â -Â Organization Behavior Credits 3
- BUS 434Â -Â Individual in the Organization Credits 3
- BUS 442Â -Â Ethics and Values in Organizations Credits 3
- BUS 475Â -Â Law and the Business Environment Credits 3
- FIN 460Â -Â Business Finance Credits 3
- INTB 370Â -Â International Business Credits 3
- MKT 320Â -Â World of Marketing Credits 3
Emphasis Courses (9 units)- EMGT 305Â -Â Introduction to Emergency Management Credits 3
- EMGT 320Â -Â Introduction to Disasters, Hazards and Risk Assessment Credits 3
- EMGT 410Â -Â Disaster Response and Recovery Credits 3
Capstone Course (3 units)- EMGT 450Â -Â Emergency Planning Credits 3
Electives - Select business courses offered in any emphasis area to meet the total number of required units
- EMGT 450Â -Â Emergency Planning Credits 3
Electives - Select business courses offered in any emphasis area to meet the total number of required units
Possibilities Await
With an ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ Education
You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.
First Steps to Admission
- Submit an application for admission (online)
* Admission applications are free, no discount codes required. - Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
- GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
- This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).​â¶Ä‹
- Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans. - Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu
Requirements
-
University Admission Prerequisites
- Minimum 6 transferable baccalaureate-level units
- Minimum 2.4 GPA
- 2 years post-secondary experience
-
Program Admission Prerequisites
- 60 transferable baccalaureate-level units
- Minimum 2.4 GPA
- 2 years post-secondary experience
Transfer Agreements
The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:
- Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
- Baccalaureate-level courses
- Grade of C- or better
- Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
- All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
- No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
- Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements
*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ Registrar’s Office.
Non-traditional Admission
State Authorization
State authorization is a federal requirement in the Higher Education Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but seven states, as well as Washington, D.C. The seven states are: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥'s authorization in your state, contact your ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ Admissions representative.
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Tuition & Financial Aid
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Types of aid
Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.
Alexandra Green
Mathematics
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Career Opportunities
Threaded throughout the major is an ethical employee and leadership perspective with a solid business background that equips graduates for positions with city, county or state agencies, or private sector organizations in Emergency Management. Those currently employed or desiring to transition to advanced positions in fire, policing, TSA, city management, facility safety managers or other similar careers will benefit from this program.
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵֱ²¥ alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more