Master of Arts in Faith-Based Public Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Public Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Public Safety core

27 credit hours

Research, assessment, and program evaluation

12 credit hours

Professional application and field experience

12 credit hours

Graduate capstone requirement

9 credit hours

The Master of Arts in Faith-Based Public Safety, with a specialization in Emergency Preparedness, is an advanced graduate program designed for professionals seeking to integrate ethical leadership, stewardship, and crisis management within community-based organizations. The curriculum provides a rigorous academic foundation in public safety theory, policy analysis, and strategic risk assessment, while emphasizing the application of servant leadership principles in high-stakes environments. Students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills that allow them to address the complexities of emergency management through the lens of community resilience and proactive service. By bridging the gap between technical safety management and ethical organizational stewardship, this program equips leaders to serve with integrity during periods of crisis. Graduates emerge with a sophisticated understanding of how to build sustainable, safe, and collaborative environments that honor the social responsibility inherent in public safety work.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in faith-based public safety, specialization in emergency preparedness theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based public safety, specialization in emergency preparedness-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based public safety, specialization in emergency preparedness-support program; A professional training manual; A program-development and evaluation project; Another faculty-approved scholarly project.

The program is designed for completion within two academic years by students maintaining the University's prescribed full-time course load. Part-time students may require additional time.

Florida establishes a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree for a master's program. The University's 60-credit requirement is an institutional academic standard that exceeds that minimum.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 60
• Duration: 2 years
• Degree Level: Master

Capstone: Integrative Preparedness Project

• 6
• Completion of all core coursework
• PUB710
• Seminar in Policy Advocacy
• 3
• None
• EMR720
• Operational Recovery and Reconstruction
• 3
• EMR601
• RES730
• Advanced Data Applications in Public Safety
• 3
• RES505
• CAP700 — Capstone: Integrative Preparedness Project: This culminating project requires students to synthesize their learning by developing an emergency preparedness plan for a real-world community organization. The work demonstrates academic excellence, ethical depth, and practical leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB710 — Seminar in Policy Advocacy: This seminar focuses on the role of nonprofit leaders in advocating for policies that promote community safety and welfare. Students develop strategies for constructive engagement with public policy stakeholders. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EMR720 — Operational Recovery and Reconstruction: Focuses on the long-term recovery phases of disaster management, including rebuilding infrastructure and restoring community cohesion. Students analyze the role of nonprofits in the restorative process. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES730 — Advanced Data Applications in Public Safety: Students apply advanced analytical techniques to model community safety outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation programs. The focus is on translating data into meaningful action. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Thesis or Capstone Project

• The Capstone Project serves as the final academic demonstration of the student’s mastery in the field of faith-based emergency preparedness. Spanning the final semester, this 6-credit requirement challenges students to design and defend a comprehensive emergency management plan tailored to a specific nonprofit or community organization. The project must identify a significant vulnerability, research evidence-based mitigation strategies, and propose an operational implementation plan that reflects principles of biblical stewardship, ethical integrity, and community-centered service. Students must articulate how their proposed interventions align with the mission-critical needs of an organization while fostering long-term resilience.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the capstone demands a reflective integration of spiritual formation and leadership theory. Students must produce a synthesis paper explaining how their professional recommendations are informed by their personal worldview and commitment to servant leadership. The final deliverable is evaluated on both its academic rigor and its capacity to demonstrate the student’s readiness to serve as a morally grounded, proactive leader in public safety. This multifaceted approach ensures that graduates are not only professionally competent but also deeply attuned to the ethical dimensions of safeguarding vulnerable communities.

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Emergency Management Director
• Faith-Based Community Disaster Coordinator
• Public Safety Policy Consultant
• Nonprofit Operations Manager
• Community Resilience Liaison
• Institutional Safety and Security Coordinator

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 | M.A. in Faith-Based Public Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Public Safety core | 27 credit hours
• Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
• Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
• Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PUB501 | Foundations of Public Safety Leadership | 4 | None
• RES505 | Research Methods in Public Policy | 3 | None
• ETH510 | Ethical Stewardship and Decision Making | 3 | None
• CRJ520 | Legal Issues in Public Policy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EMR601 | Principles of Emergency Preparedness | 4 | PUB501
• SOC615 | Community Resilience and Vulnerability | 3 | None
• MGT620 | Strategic Resource Management | 3 | None
• COM630 | Crisis Communication and Community Engagement | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EMR650 | Advanced Threat Assessment and Risk Mitigation | 4 | EMR601
• PSY660 | Psychology of Disaster Response | 3 | None
• MGT670 | Organizational Leadership and Capacity Building | 3 | None
• PUB680 | Public Sector Governance and Civic Engagement | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP700 | Capstone: Integrative Preparedness Project | 6 | Completion of all core coursework
• PUB710 | Seminar in Policy Advocacy | 3 | None
• EMR720 | Operational Recovery and Reconstruction | 3 | EMR601
• RES730 | Advanced Data Applications in Public Safety | 3 | RES505