Online Master of Arts in Emergency Management and Homeland Security – Biosecurity and Threat Management
Arizona State University’s Master of Arts in emergency management and homeland security with a concentration in biosecurity and threat management prepares you for careers related to public health, emergency response and biodefense. This degree provides you with the knowledge needed to keep people, animals and plants safe from the effects of hazardous biological agents.
Quick facts
Next start date: 08/21/2025
Total classes: 11
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 33
A master’s program at the intersection of homeland security, public health and risk management
This program emphasizes protecting people, animals and plants from natural and man-made biological hazards. By integrating public health, risk management and homeland security, you’ll become prepared to address critical challenges, such as pandemics, bioterrorism and other biosecurity risks.
Courses develop your expertise in evaluating safety programs, creating plans to mitigate biological threats, managing crises and minimizing societal harm. Additionally, you’ll build leadership skills essential for guiding response and recovery efforts, enabling you to navigate high-pressure situations confidently and effectively.
This program is a concentration of ASU’s online primary Master of Arts in emergency management and homeland security degree. You’ll take a number of the same courses as the general program, but with two courses focused on biosecurity and threat management.
How biodefense and biosecurity compare
Biodefense, a subset of biosecurity, focuses on protecting human health and the environment from biological agents used as weapons. It involves developing medical countermeasures, such as vaccines and treatments, and creating strategies for detecting and responding to biological threats.
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Biosecurity and threat management master’s courses
This program blends general emergency management content with critical areas of biosecurity, including public health and disaster management. Key topics you'll explore include hazard governance, integrated threat management, program evaluation, bioterrorism response, public health crisis leadership and more.
The jobs you’ll be prepared for
This program prepares you for leadership and management roles across federal, state and local public sector agencies. Opportunities also exist in the private sector, where you can oversee emergency preparedness for hospitals or corporations. Possible career outcomes include, but aren’t limited to:
Learn from faculty skilled in threat and disaster management
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Learn from faculty skilled in threat and disaster management
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
How to apply
To apply to the biosecurity and threat management concentration, you must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
A nationally recognized biosecurity and threat management program
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
#2
best graduate homeland security and emergency management programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Top 5
Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management in the nation, according to U.S. News & Report.
Top 10
best public affairs programs, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Top 10
best online master’s in criminal justice programs for veterans, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
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