Utilizing FEMA credits toward an Emergency Management Degree

[BMWGuinness]

I was doing research into Emergency Management since FEMA courses would coincide quite well, thought I would share my research here.

[BMWGuinness]

12-04-2007, 05:21 PM

I am currently looking into the following programs through TESC.

The Associate in Science in Public and Social Services (ASPSS) degree in Emergency Disaster Services
Thomas Edison State College | ASPSS in Emergency Disaster Services

The Bachelor of Science in Human Services (BSHS) degree program in Emergency Disaster Services
Thomas Edison State College | BSHS in Emergency Disaster Services

I am almost finished completing the necessary FEMA and Fire Protection courses.

I'm also looking into Homeland Security Certificates that might be transferable.

I will utilize this thread to present the information I find on the program, and the credits I utilize through FEMA, Fire, CLEP, DANTES, etc.

I have professional working experience, as I worked for Orange County Government IT Security during 9/11, several global Virus threats, and many years of Hurricanes (EOC/FOC, ESF Positions)

[BMWGuinness]

12-05-2007, 08:05 AM

Here is the information I have received from TESC regarding FEMA ISP Courses and how their credit transfers in the degree program.

The maximum number of FEMA Independent Study credits that can be applied toward the BSHS degree is 25. No more than 15 credits can be applied toward the area of study and no more than 3 credits can be applied toward the core. Any additional FEMA credits, up to a maximum of 25 total within the entire degree, can be applied toward free electives.

[BMWGuinness]

12-05-2007, 08:50 AM

ASPSS in Emergency Disaster Services Credit Distribution


I. General Education Requirements 30
A. English Composition 6
B. Humanities 6
C. Social Sciences 6
Introduction to Sociology (3)
Introduction to Psychology (3)
D. Natural Sciences and Matematics 6
One college-level mathematics coures required (3)
Other natural sciences/mathematics (3)
E. General Education Electives 6
Intercultural Communications OR Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
Other general education electives (3)

II. Individualized Option: Emergency Disaster Services 21
A. Overview of Human Services or the Option 3

• Introduction to Human Services
  
• Social Welfare: Programs, Practices
  
• Introduction to Social Work
  
• Social Welfare/Social Work
  
• Introduction to Social Welfare
  
• Introduction to Emergency Management
  
• Introduction to Social Services
  
• Basic Skills Emer. Prog. Mgrs.

B. Basic Philosophy, Theory and Concepts of the Option 9

• Civil Defense Syst./Prog./Pol.
  
• Incident Command System
  
• Emergency Planning Course
  
• Manmade Hazards
  
• Emergency Management, USA
  
• Natural Hazards Mitigation and Recovery
  
• Emergency Program Manager
  
• Principles of Hazardous Materials Management
  
• Fire Command Operations
  
• State Rad. Defense Officer Workshop

C. Applied Areas 6

• Basic Skills: Creative Financing
  
• Exercise Design (FEMA)
  
• Community Fire Prot. and Planning
  
• Hazardous Materials Tactical Consideration
  
• Emergency Medical Service and Administration
  
• Prepared Planning for Nuclear Attack
  
• Emergency Operations
  
• Radiological Emergency Management
  
• Emergency Planning and Methodology
  
• Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan
  
• Emergency Prep. Laws and Regulations
  
• Radiological Safety

D. Associate Level Practicum 3

III. Free Electives 9
A. Computer Science OR Data Processing (3)
B. Other free electives (6)

Total 60

[BMWGuinness]

12-05-2007, 09:04 AM

[B]BSHS in Emergency Disaster Services Credit Distribution


[/B]I. General Education Requirements 48
A. English Composition 6
B. Humanities 9
C. Social Sciences 15
Introduction to Sociology(3)
Introduction to Psychology(3)
Economics, Political Science, History or Geography (3)
Other social sciences(6)
D. Natural Sciences and Mathematics 9
One college-level mathematics required (3)
Other natural sciences or mathematics(6)
E. General Education Electives 9
Intercultural Communications or Race and Ethnic Relations (3)
Other credits from any general education subject (6)

II. Concentration in Human Services 54
A. Core Requirements 21
Dynamics of social setting (upper-level subjects in sociology, urban politics, social history, etc.) (3)
Dynamics of the individual (upper-level subjects in psychology) (6) Dynamics of intervention (covers such areas as counseling, interviewing and social work methods) (3)
Social Planning (covers such areas as social policy, planning and administration) (3)
Statistics or research methodology (3)
Computer science or data processing (3)
B. Individual Areas of Study: Emergency Disaster Services 33
Overview of Human Services or the Specialization (3)

• Introduction to Human Services
  
• Introduction to Social Work
  
• Introduction to Social Welfare
  
• Introduction to Emergency Management
  
• Introduction to Social Services
  
• Basic Skills Emergency Program Managers
  
• Social Welfare/Social Work
  
• Social Welfare: Programs, Practice

Basic Philosophy, Theory and Concepts (12)

• Civil Defense Syst./Prog./Pol.
  
• Fire Related Human Behavior
  
• Devel. Fire & Life Safety Strat.
  
• Incident Command System
  
• Earth Sciences for Emergency Managers
  
• Manmade Hazards
  
• Emergency Planning Course
  
• Natural Hazards Mitigation & Recovery
  
• Exec. Devel. for Emergency Program Managers
  
• Principles of Hazardous Materials Management
  
• Fire Command Operations
  
• Public Administration
  
• Fire Protection Management
  
• State Rad. Defense Officer Workshop

Applied Areas (12)

• Basic Skills: Creative Financing
  
• Hazardous Materials Tactical Consideration
  
• Community Fire Protection: Planning
  
• Health Effects Ionizing Radiation
  
• Crisis Communication
  
• Occupational Health & Safety
  
• Emergency Medical Service & Admininstration
  
• Radiological Accident Assessment
  
• Emergency Operations
  
• Radiological Emergency Preparedness Plan
  
• Emergency Planning & Methodology
  
• Radiological Emergency Response & Operations
  
• Emergency Prep. Laws & Regulations
  
• Radiological Monitors Instructor
  
• Exercise Design
  
• Radiological Safety
  
• Hazardous Materials Contingency Planning
  
• Train the Trainer Courses

Advanced Level Practicum (6)

III. Free Electives 18

Total 120 credits

[BMWGuinness]

12-05-2007, 09:17 AM

Based on this information, the Associate Program looks to be attainable.
You could CLEP/DANTES your Core
FEMA would cover Philosophy/Theory/Concepts, Applied, and Free Electives
You could look to CLEP/DANTES/ECE/TECEP/Penn Foster the Human Services
That would just leave the Practicum, which you either have, or can utilize volunteer services to fulfill.

However, $3000+ for an Associate Degree with a Specialization is a hefty price.

UPDATE: TESC allows you to pursue an Associate and Bachelor at the same time, so if the AS would supplement the BA then it would be the same cost, plus the graduation fee for the AS ($225 I believe)

[BMWGuinness]

Regarding USFA and FCC:

According to the USFA website, those courses have been reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE) and therefore you would need to contact ACE and have a transcript sent from ACE. Those courses could be used in addition to the 25.

Also, Frederick Community College credits would need to come in on an FCC transcript, but they can also be used in addition to the 25 because they are classified as FCC credits, not FEMA Independent Study credits.
So the USFA and the FCC Credits would be in addition to the 25 credit limit on FEMA courses.

[killerkitty]

Hey
Thanks for all this info!
Can I have your opinion on something?
I am an EMT and would like to further my education in Emergency Management.
I don't have any college credits (it was a certificate program)

Out of all the colleges that accept FEMA credits, which one takes the most? FCC versus Red Rocks or the other school that accepts them. I think I just want to go for my associate's right now unless TESC would accept more credits. So I guess I'm asking what's the fastest/cheapest way to obtain an associate's degree utilizing FEMA credits?

thanks!!!

[BMWGuinness]

Hey
Thanks for all this info!
Can I have your opinion on something?
I am an EMT and would like to further my education in Emergency Management.
I don't have any college credits (it was a certificate program)

Out of all the colleges that accept FEMA credits, which one takes the most? FCC versus Red Rocks or the other school that accepts them. I think I just want to go for my associate's right now unless TESC would accept more credits. So I guess I'm asking what's the fastest/cheapest way to obtain an associate's degree utilizing FEMA credits?

thanks!!!

Before I answer, where are you located? It might make a big difference.

[killerkitty]

Hi

I live in Pittsburgh, PA.

Thanks for your help!!!