Emergency Management & Leadership Certificate

Karen Miller, Ph.D., Department Chair

Julie Cencula Olberding, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director

Program Description

The Emergency Management & Leadership graduate certificate is a 12 credit hour program suited for individuals currently employed or interested in emergency management in local, state or federal government or in universities, schools, hospitals, other nonprofits, or private businesses. Students can earn the certificate in a completely online format or in a mix of online and in-person classes. They complete the certificate at their own pace, but most finish in a year or two by enrolling in one to two courses per semester. The core courses are taught online, and the electives are taught either online or on weekday evenings (6:15 to 9 p.m.), and they include a mix of lecture, seminar, small group, and service learning.

Office of Emergency Management & Leadership Certificate

The main office of the Emergency Management graduate certificate program is 555 Founders Hall. For more information please call (859) 572-5326, email mpa@nku.edu, or visit our website at nku.edu/mpacertificates.

Program Mission

The Emergency Management & Leadershipgraduate certificate provides pre-career and in-career students with the knowledge and skills to manage and lead in emergency management and public safety. For this 12 credit hour program, each student completes two required courses (6 credit hours) that focus on the management of natural and manmade disasters. Then each student selects two elective courses (6 credit hours) that enhance their knowledge and skills in broader areas such as government administration, nonprofit management, and executive leadership.

Admission Process

Each applicant must provide the following items:

Completed online application for graduate admission.

Official transcripts showing all college/university coursework. The applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (scale of 4.0)

Statement of purpose describing the applicant’s career goals, how the certificate program will support attainment of those goals, and any additional information such as relevant academic or professional experience (300 to 400 words).

Dual MPA Degree and Graduate Certificate

Students completing the Emergency Management & Leadership graduate certificate may apply for admission to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. If admitted, they may receive up to 9 credit hours toward the 36 credit hour master’s degree. For academic questions about the graduate certificate and/or MPA programs, contact the MPA office at (859) 572-5326 or email mpa@nku.edu.