Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy will introduce two new majors, Emergency Management and Intelligence Studies, as part of a new bachelor’s degree program starting in fall 2026. The initiative is the result of more than four years of development, involving extensive review by faculty, staff, and university leadership.
David Merrick, director of FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and Center for Disaster Risk Policy, said: “The development of this degree program builds upon the proven success of our certificate offerings, which are well regarded within the field, while addressing a growing demand among students seeking to contribute to the safety and security of their communities. The state of Florida is recognized for having one of the nation’s most comprehensive emergency management and homeland security programs, consistently demonstrating leadership in innovation and research. This degree exemplifies FSU’s commitment to developing leaders dedicated to addressing critical issues at the local, state and Federal levels.”
The new majors are designed to prepare students for roles in emergency management, disaster response, intelligence analysis, public safety, and related government or private sector positions. The curriculum leverages existing faculty expertise while emphasizing practical experience and community service.
Students pursuing the Emergency Management major will study policy development, planning strategies through real-world scenarios, technical skills for disaster intelligence collection, system design for resilience, support for vulnerable populations, and leadership in emergency operations. Graduates can pursue careers both domestically and internationally across government agencies or private organizations.
The Intelligence Studies major focuses on all stages of the intelligence process—from gathering raw data to producing finished intelligence products—and teaches students about national security policy formulation. The coursework emphasizes analytical techniques as well as cooperation among intelligence partners.
Timothy Chapin, dean of COSSPP, stated: “These new majors demonstrate FSU’s and the college’s commitment to applied learning, public service and academic excellence, while preparing students with the analytical, technical and leadership skills needed to succeed in emergency management, homeland security and intelligence careers.”
More information about these programs can be found at em.fsu.edu.
