2023-2024 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Apr 30, 2024  
2023-2024 Pierce College Catalog

Emergency Management (AAS-T) Course Map


Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. 

While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Associate in Applied Science-T Emergency Management, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements

Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!


Employment Eligibility Information

A criminal history may inhibit your ability to find employment in Emergency Management fields. In addition, any recent history of drug use, including marijuana, may preclude you from federal employment. If you have any concerns please speak with an advisor.


Graduation Requirements:

  • 2.0 minimum grade in all EM courses
  • 1.5 minimum grade in all other courses. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree should know that a 1.5 grade may not be eligible for transfer to other colleges

CIP Code: 43.0302


ctcLink Plan Code: CRMHSAPT


Total Credits: 93-95


1. College Success


  • Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

2. Foundations of Emergency Management


The foundational course you choose will set the path for your degree, by introducing you  to either non-Tribal or Tribal emergency management functions. While there is overlap between the two, each has their own unique requirements:  

Choose one

  • Course purpose: A foundational course that will allow you to explore and affirm a career choice in the field of homeland security emergency management. It sets a common platform from which you can launch into other courses within the EM program.

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  • Or

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  • Course purpose: This course lays the foundation of homeland security emergency management as it relates to Tribes and Alaska Native Villages. This course builds your understanding of the policies and doctrine that empower Emergency Management for Tribes and Alaska Native Villages and for sovereign entities that have the option of performing the emergency management function independently or with non-tribal partners. 

3. Incident Management


The incident management course you choose introduce you to either non-Tribal or Tribal incident management concepts. While there is overlap between the two, each has their own unique requirements

 

Choose one

4. Digital Literacy: Productivity Software


  • Course purpose: As a Homeland Security Emergency Management professional, you will utilize productivity software every day of your career. In this class, you will learn the essential computer programs that will lead to your success both in college and in your career.  

     

    Note: If applying to the BAS EM program, a 2.0 minimum grade is required. If you are not applying to the BAS EM program, a 1.5 minimum grade is required.

5. Mathematics


The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, whether you intend to transfer to another school or continue on to a bachelor’s degree, and your math placement guidance. Your Advisor will help you select the correct math course, which may include one of the following, with or without a co-requisite lab.

Choose one

  • Course purpose: In this class you will apply contemporary mathematics to a wide range of problems, many of which relate to emergency management.  

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  • Or

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  • Course purpose: In this class you will learn how to do basic statistical analysis and interpret data. Emergency management careers rely heavily upon data for a wide variety of purposes and it is important that you be able to properly interpret it. 

6. Writing Skills


  • Course purpose: In this class you will learn the fundamentals of writing, which is an essential skill for emergency management professionals.

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  • Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course. 

7. Public Information


  • Course purpose: A primary mission of any homeland security emergency management organization is communication with the public. In this class you will learn how to properly identify your audience and communicate with them in accessible and culturally appropriate ways.

8. Public Administration or Traditional Knowledge


In this block you will learn fundamentals of working with the systems that support emergency management. If you are thinking about a career in government or non-profit work, EM 180 is the right choice for you. If you are thinking about a career in Tribal emergency management EM 205 is the right choice. If you are thinking about a career in the private sector, take the class that seems most interesting to you! 

 

Choose one

  • Course purpose: In this class you will learn how public administration functions interact with emergency management functions at all types of organizations, including public, private, and non-profit. 

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  • Or

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  • Course purpose: Cultural heritage and traditional knowledge are cornerstones of Tribal and Native Alaskan Village life. In this course, you will learn how to preserve cultural heritage and incorporate traditional knowledge into your emergency management program. 

10. Communications


Emergency management professionals spend a great deal of time communicating with people in written and spoken form, to a variety of cultures. Choose a communications course that will help you develop the skills you feel will be the hardest for you to master.  

 

Choose one 

11. Emergency Planning


The emergency planning course you choose introduces you to either non-Tribal or Tribal incident management concepts. While there is overlap between the two, each has their own unique requirements.

 

Choose one

  • Course purpose: In this class you will learn about the many kinds of plans written for emergency management purposes. You will learn to use planning guides, evaluations tools, and community demographics to make planning recommendations. 

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  • Or

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  • Course purpose: Planning is a core function of every aspect of emergency management. In this course you will learn about the various plans created in the workplace, with a special emphasis on how those plans must be written for use in a Tribal environment. 

12. Terrorism Awareness


Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Meet with your advisor to check-in on your degree plan and make sure you’re on-track to graduate. Your Advisor will help you make any necessary changes to your plan.

13. Emergency Operations


14. Professional Development


  • Course Purpose: You should take this class two terms prior to doing your work-based learning (internship). In it you will learn how to write a resume, practice interview skills, and search for jobs and internships.  

15. Natural Science with Lab


Any Natural Science with Lab course is acceptable, but we suggest one of these for their direct relevance to emergency management. Take the one that is most interesting to you.

Choose one

16. Social Science Requirement 1


Social science helps us understand how people interact with the world around them. Disasters and emergencies directly affect people, and it is important to understand how people might respond to them. Pick the course that is most interesting to you.  

 

Choose one

Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details.

17. Technology


18. Disaster Recovery


  • Course purpose: In this course you will learn the basic concepts of disaster recovery, including how individuals, families, businesses, and government agencies can access recovery resources.

19. Elective


Emergency management professionals work in a variety of sectors, disciplines, and industries. You will work with your advisor to choose a class that most closely aligns with your career interests. While we suggest these classes, you may also want to pick from Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Business, Occupational Safety and Health, World Languages, or others.  

 

Choose one of the following or a class that is approved by your Advisor

  • Course purpose: In this class you will learn about a special topic in emergency management. The topic changes every term, so be sure to check before you enroll. 

  • Course purpose: Cultural heritage and traditional knowledge are cornerstones of Tribal and Native Alaskan Village life. In this course, you will learn how to preserve cultural heritage and incorporate traditional knowledge into your emergency management program. 

  • Course purpose: Grants are the backbone of many emergency management programs. In this class you will learn how to identify, apply for, and successfully manage grants, with a special emphasis on grants that are available to Tribal and Native Alaska Village entities. 

  • Course Purpose: Healthcare emergency management is based on the same principles as other types of emergency management, but with some very specific differences. In this class you will learn about the specific rules and laws that apply to healthcare, the specific types of incident command that must be used, and various special considerations the must be accounted for in the healthcare environment. 

20. Exercise Design


  • Course purpose: Every organization has to practice the emergency plans they have created using exercises. In this class, you will learn how to design, facilitate, and evaluate exercises for an organization.

21. Law and Policy


22. Natural Science


Any Natural Science course is acceptable, but we suggest one of these for their direct relevance to emergency management.  

 

Choose one

  • Course purpose: In this course you will learn about how maps are made and used and you will learn the practical applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Emergency Management professionals rely heavily upon maps and mapping capabilities for all phases of emergency management.

  • Course purpose: In this course you will develop a deeper comprehension of what drives the majority of geology-related incidents, emergencies and disasters that fall within the responsibilities of an emergency management professional.

  • Course purpose: In this course you will develop a deeper comprehension of the environmental issues that face the planet.  Environmental issues must be taken into account when the emergency management professional creates preparedness and mitigation plans.

  • Course purpose: In this course you will gain a deeper understanding of environmental concepts, which must be taken into account during disaster mitigation, planning, response, and recovery.

23. Volunteer Management


24. Social Science Requirement 2


Social science helps us understand how people interact with the world around them. Disasters and emergencies directly affect people, and it is important to understand how people might respond to them. Pick the course that is most interesting to you.

 

Choose one

  • Course purpose: This course will help you understand political systems and how they impact policy. Often, governmental policy will dictate how an emergency management professional approaches their work. 

  • Course purpose: This course will help you understand the American political system and how it creates policy. Often, governmental policy will dictate how an emergency management professional approaches their work.

  • Course purpose: This course will introduce you to the interactions that occur among countries.  Emergencies and disasters often cross national boundaries, particularly in Washington and other border states. 

  • Course purpose: You will learn about the allocation of resources and supply and demand, labor, capital markets and international trade.  This is essential knowledge when developing emergency plans.

  • Course purpose: You will learn about the US economy so that you can recognize how it is impacted by emergencies and disasters. 

  • Course purpose: In this course, you will learn about the history of the United States since 1900. Many of the changes that occurred during that time were tied to emergencies and disasters and it is important to recognize how future emergencies and disasters might impact the future.  

25. Work-based Learning (Internship)


Total Credits: 93-95


CIP Code: 43.0302


ctcLink Plan Code: CRMHSAPT