When it comes to emergency and disaster management, experience is everything - or is it? In this episode, Doctors Sarah K. Miller, Darcy Leutzinger, and I dive into the often-debated value of higher education in the emergency and disaster management field(s). With more colleges and universities offering “emergency management” and “homeland security” degrees, how do you know which programs are worth your time and money?

We talk about how diverse emergency management has become, how once reliable federal trainings and the science that empowered them are disappearing, and why it’s more important than ever to strive for industry professionalization. In this context, we explore what makes a high-quality program, what to look for in your professors, and whether the fruit of higher knowledge is worth the squeeze of your wallet. I have an MPA in Emergency & Disaster Management, and I’ve been an emergency management professor for many years. That said, I’ll be the first to agree that your mileage may vary depending on the program you choose, the stage of your career, and your desired results.

Whether you’re a student, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you.

This episode is unabridged and ad-free for paying subscribers at StateofDisaster.com! You’ll hear why and how my guests pursued their PhDs in emergency management, and much more that you won’t see or hear anywhere else. You can receive your 30-day free trial with a .edu email here: https://stateofdisaster.substack.com/4ca84ae3