Throughout history, disasters have claimed countless lives, destroyed billions in property and put large segments of the population at risk. Earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, floods, drought, blizzards, fires, hurricanes, hazardous materials releases, and terrorist attacks are some of the natural and technological/human-caused hazards that threaten communities and challenge those charged with protecting the lives, safety, and welfare of others. There are actions that can be taken to prevent loss, protect lives and prepare for, respond to, and facilitate recovery from disasters. These activities make up the discipline and profession of emergency management and homeland security.

The SSU Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program (HSEM) program was approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents in 2006 and offered its first classes in the fall semester 2007. The HSEM program is built on the existing body of knowledge in homeland security and emergency management, as well as current and developing research, with an emphasis on lessening the impacts of disasters on our most vulnerable citizens. The program will prepare students to move into entry-level public and private sector positions in this growing field.

The HSEM program uses an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to homeland security and emergency management, preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to leverage and coordinate the full range of capacity and resources to improve outcomes in a disaster – whether natural or human-caused. The program will offer students knowledge specific to different types and causes of disaster, lessons from past disasters, and both comprehensive and hazard-specific practices that lead to effective prevention, protection, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The SSU HSEM program is the only bachelor’s degree program in homeland security and/or emergency management in the state of Georgia and the first in the nation at a historically black college/university.

HSEM Faculty

Emily Bentley, J.D. – bentleye@savstate.edu
Jerry Silverman, Ph.D. - jms@savstate.edu