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.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 03/17/2025


Total classes:

Total classes: 11

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 33

Degree questions, answered

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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.

Biosecurity, on the other hand, focuses on preventing the accidental or intentional release of harmful biological agents. This includes safeguarding dangerous materials from theft or loss and ensuring their safe handling and storage through strict policies and procedures.

With rising concerns about biological weapons and infectious disease outbreaks, biodefense is rapidly growing. Increased investments from governments, research institutions and private organizations have created a strong demand for professionals in this field.

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. As part of the biosecurity and threat management concentration, select courses are offered through the University of New South Wales via the PLuS alliance program, providing you with a global perspective on cyber-related challenges.


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


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Top 10


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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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