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Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Emergency Management (Specialization in Disaster Response, Recovery)

Academic unitHBIU College of Business and EconomicsTotal credits60Estimated duration2 years

Program Overview

Official program overview

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

A.A. in Faith-Based Emergency Management

Total program length

60 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years

General education

18 credit hours

Faith-Based Emergency Management core

30 credit hours

Professional application courses

9 credit hours

Capstone requirement

3 credit hours

The Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Emergency Management offers a comprehensive foundation in the principles of disaster response and recovery, framed within an ethical and community-oriented academic context. The curriculum integrates technical competencies in hazard analysis and logistics with a strong emphasis on organizational stewardship and servant leadership. By examining the lifecycle of emergencies, students gain the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to effectively contribute to the stability and resilience of diverse community sectors. The program emphasizes the role of institutional frameworks, collaborative planning, and the essential duty of care inherent in service-oriented organizations. Students engage with academic literature and case studies to understand the complexities of public safety and recovery management. By prioritizing evidence-based practices, this program ensures graduates possess the analytical skills required to support professional environments that prioritize community well-being and long-term organizational health. This balanced approach prepares students to serve with integrity, foresight, and a commitment to responsible crisis management.

The Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Emergency Management provides students with foundational study in emergency management, human development, effective communication, organizational ethics, community resources, and supportive service practices. Through an integration of theological principles and practical disaster response strategies, the curriculum prepares individuals to serve communities effectively during crises while emphasizing compassionate care, resource coordination, and the stewardship of recovery efforts in a variety of settings.

Program Facts

Program facts

Degree abbreviation
A.A. in Faith-Based Emergency Management
Total program length
60 semester credit hours
Normal completion time
Two academic years
General education
18 credit hours
Professional application courses
9 credit hours
Capstone requirement
3 credit hours
Academic unit
HBIU College of Business and Economics
Total credits
60
Duration
2 years

Program Description

Official program description

Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes

  • Analyze the operational lifecycle of disasters, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery strategies.
  • Apply principles of servant leadership and ethical stewardship to the coordination of resources during crisis management.
  • Evaluate the role of nonprofit and community-based organizations in national and regional emergency management frameworks.
  • Design effective communication strategies for stakeholders involved in disaster recovery efforts.
  • Integrate a Christian worldview with professional standards to promote justice and compassion in community service.
  • Develop evidence-based plans for institutional resilience and sustainable community recovery.
  • Course Outline
  • Semester 1 — Year 1
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • ENG101
  • Academic Writing and Research
  • 4
  • None
  • PHI101
  • Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
  • 3
  • None
  • SOC101
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • 3
  • None
  • BUS105
  • Principles of Management
  • 4
  • None
  • ENG101 — Academic Writing and Research: This course focuses on developing university-level writing, critical analysis, and research skills necessary for academic inquiry. Students learn to synthesize diverse perspectives while upholding academic integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • PHI101 — Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility: This course examines major ethical theories and their application to contemporary social issues and institutional decision-making. It emphasizes the development of moral reasoning skills and professional integrity within public and private sectors. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • SOC101 — Introduction to Sociology: An overview of social structures, institutions, and the dynamics of human interaction within diverse communities. This course analyzes how community networks function and evolve under various social pressures. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS105 — Principles of Management: This course examines the fundamental theories of management, including planning, organizing, and leading teams. Emphasis is placed on the ethical stewardship of organizational resources and personnel. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 2 — Year 1
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • EMG110
  • Principles of Emergency Management
  • 4
  • None
  • COM120
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • 3
  • None
  • MAT201
  • Statistics for Professionals
  • 4
  • MAT100
  • PSY102
  • Foundations of Human Behavior
  • 3
  • None
  • EMG110 — Principles of Emergency Management: An introduction to the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Students explore the legal and ethical responsibilities of organizations in public safety. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • COM120 — Interpersonal Communication: A study of effective communication techniques in diverse professional and interpersonal contexts. The course highlights the importance of empathy, listening, and clarity in high-stakes environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • MAT201 — Statistics for Professionals: An introduction to statistical methods and data analysis used to evaluate organizational trends and risk assessment. Students learn to interpret data to inform decision-making processes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • PSY102 — Foundations of Human Behavior: An analysis of psychological concepts related to human motivation, stress, and adaptation in group settings. The course explores strategies for supporting individuals and teams during periods of transition. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 3 — Year 2
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • EMG205
  • Disaster Response and Recovery Strategies
  • 4
  • EMG110
  • BUS210
  • Organizational Leadership and Ethics
  • 3
  • BUS105
  • CRJ215
  • Hazard Analysis and Mitigation
  • 4
  • EMG110
  • HUM250
  • Social Justice and Community Engagement
  • 3
  • SOC101
  • EMG205 — Disaster Response and Recovery Strategies: This course evaluates operational strategies for managing disaster recovery efforts and institutional resource allocation. Students study the complexities of collaboration with governmental and local partners. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS210 — Organizational Leadership and Ethics: Exploration of leadership styles and ethical frameworks in professional environments. The course emphasizes servant leadership and the moral duties associated with organizational stewardship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • CRJ215 — Hazard Analysis and Mitigation: A technical study of identifying community hazards and developing proactive mitigation plans to reduce risk. Students practice mapping local vulnerabilities and designing preventative measures. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • HUM250 — Social Justice and Community Engagement: Examines the role of advocacy and service in addressing social needs and promoting justice. The course analyzes how organizational policy impacts the most vulnerable members of society. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 4 — Year 2
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • CAP299
  • Capstone Project in Emergency Management
  • 4
  • EMG205, BUS210
  • RES200
  • Research Methods in Social Sciences
  • 3
  • ENG101, MAT201
  • MIN220
  • Practices of Stewardship and Service
  • 3
  • THE101
  • BUS250
  • Nonprofit Administration
  • 3
  • BUS105
  • CAP299 — Capstone Project in Emergency Management: Students complete a comprehensive project that integrates their coursework into a practical application of emergency planning and leadership. This project serves as a demonstration of technical proficiency and spiritual formation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • RES200 — Research Methods in Social Sciences: Covers the fundamental principles of quantitative and qualitative research design relevant to professional services. Students learn to evaluate existing literature and apply findings to real-world problems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • MIN220 — Practices of Stewardship and Service: A study of the practical application of spiritual disciplines and stewardship in professional roles. The course examines how personal maturity contributes to consistent performance in crisis management. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS250 — Nonprofit Administration: An overview of nonprofit governance, operational planning, and community capacity building. Focuses on the logistical aspects of maintaining effective service-oriented organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Admission Requirements

Admission and entry requirements

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or recognized equivalent with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Candidates are expected to demonstrate potential for success in an academic environment and a commitment to the university's mission of integrating faith and learning. Prospective students must submit official transcripts and a personal statement reflecting their professional goals and dedication to community service and ethical practice. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the culminating academic experience for the Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Emergency Management, requiring students to synthesize their learning through the development of a comprehensive Disaster Recovery and Stewardship Plan for a local, faith-based, or nonprofit entity. This project challenges students to identify a specific institutional vulnerability and design a professional-grade strategy that integrates emergency management best practices with the principles of spiritual formation, ethical integrity, and responsible resource management. Students must demonstrate the ability to apply academic research to real-world scenarios while articulating how their proposed interventions reflect a commitment to servant leadership and the preservation of institutional mission. The project carries 4 credit hours and is evaluated on both technical accuracy and the depth of its faith-based integration. Deliverables include a formal written report, a strategic implementation timeline, and a reflective analysis on how a Christian worldview informs decision-making in high-pressure situations. Through this experience, students demonstrate not only their mastery of disaster response concepts but also their development of the character and professional maturity required for effective, faith-informed leadership within the emergency management sector.

Protected Curriculum

Complete program outline available after verification

Graduation Requirements

Graduation and completion requirements

  • Graduation requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Students must earn a passing grade in all required core and elective coursework and receive a satisfactory evaluation on the Capstone Project. Beyond academic proficiency, graduates must demonstrate alignment with the university’s commitment to character development, substantiated through verified participation in community service initiatives and completion of required spiritual formation coursework.
  • Graduation represents a milestone of academic and personal growth, signifying that the student has paired professional skill acquisition with a heart for servant leadership. Graduates are expected to leave the program with a demonstrated capacity for ethical decision-making, the ability to act as stewards of institutional resources, and a firm readiness to contribute to the common good through faith-informed service.
  • Career Opportunities
  • Emergency Management Coordinator for Nonprofit Organizations
  • Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager
  • Nonprofit Operations Analyst
  • Community Resilience Outreach Specialist
  • Faith-Based Social Services Administrator
  • Risk Mitigation Assistant
  • Public Safety Liaison for Religious Institutions
  • Important Notices
  • The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
  • HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
  • HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
  • Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
  • The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
  • Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
  • Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
  • This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
  • Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
  • Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
  • Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
  • Degree abbreviation | A.A. in Faith-Based Emergency Management
  • Total program length | 60 semester credit hours
  • Normal completion time | Two academic years
  • General education | 18 credit hours
  • Faith-Based Emergency Management core | 30 credit hours
  • Professional application courses | 9 credit hours
  • Capstone requirement | 3 credit hours
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • ENG101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 | None
  • PHI101 | Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility | 3 | None
  • SOC101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | None
  • BUS105 | Principles of Management | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • EMG110 | Principles of Emergency Management | 4 | None
  • COM120 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | None
  • MAT201 | Statistics for Professionals | 4 | MAT100
  • PSY102 | Foundations of Human Behavior | 3 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • EMG205 | Disaster Response and Recovery Strategies | 4 | EMG110
  • BUS210 | Organizational Leadership and Ethics | 3 | BUS105
  • CRJ215 | Hazard Analysis and Mitigation | 4 | EMG110
  • HUM250 | Social Justice and Community Engagement | 3 | SOC101
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP299 | Capstone Project in Emergency Management | 4 | EMG205, BUS210
  • RES200 | Research Methods in Social Sciences | 3 | ENG101, MAT201
  • MIN220 | Practices of Stewardship and Service | 3 | THE101
  • BUS250 | Nonprofit Administration | 3 | BUS105

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities

Career Opportunities

  • Emergency Management Coordinator for Nonprofit Organizations
  • Disaster Relief Volunteer Manager
  • Nonprofit Operations Analyst
  • Community Resilience Outreach Specialist
  • Faith-Based Social Services Administrator
  • Risk Mitigation Assistant
  • Public Safety Liaison for Religious Institutions

Additional Official Information

Additional source information

Important Notices

  • The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
  • HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
  • HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
  • Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
  • The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
  • Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
  • Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
  • This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
  • Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
  • Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
  • Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
  • Degree abbreviation | A.A. in Faith-Based Emergency Management
  • Total program length | 60 semester credit hours
  • Normal completion time | Two academic years