The purpose of this summit is to enhance disaster preparedness and stakeholder partnerships in Alabama. Objectives include increased awareness of disaster mitigation, response, and recovery management and the growth of the resilience stakeholder network collaboration with emergency management through partnerships between local, state, and federal partners, including both public and private sector partners.

For more information, please contact JSU Emergency Management (em@jsu.edu) or Alabama EMA (Alabama.EMA@ema.alabama.gov)

Apply to Jax State Emergency Management and Public Administration programs including our newest MPA program with GIST concentration! READ MORE on the Graduate Catalog.

2025 Doctoral Integrative Seminar

Seminar Theme:

Reimagining Emergency Management in an Era of Rapid Change and Uncertainty

Emergency management has entered a transition period, both as a profession and an academic discipline. Legal and regulatory frameworks are shifting and the long-standing assumptions about federalism and the traditional roles of the local, state, and federal governments are being called into question. At the same time, the emergency management workforce is evolving—confronting new expectations, emerging challenges, and increasing uncertainty about the future. This integrative seminar explores these changes from multiple angles: how politics and policy decisions shape professional practice, how interpretations of federalism and inter-sectoral roles continue to evolve, and how the profession can adapt in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty. Drawing on past critiques of the field and current real-world dynamics, students and faculty will engage in honest, forward-thinking conversations about what it means to lead, practice, and conduct research in this space. At its core, this integrative seminar is about critically reflecting on and understanding this historical transition period—and preparing ourselves to shape what comes next.

Dr. Scott Manning has assumed the role of Assistant Program Director of the Doctor of Science (DSc.) program in Emergency Management in Spring 2025.

Dr. Arjola Balilaj has taken the role of MPA Director in Fall 2024.

Congratulations to Both!

Alumni News

Shout out to the EM undergraduate students who made to the President's List

Congratulations!

JSU offers a 20% tuition scholarship for first responders employed full-time by a law enforcement agency, fire department or emergency service agency. The scholarship is applicable to our Bachelor of Science (BSEM) and Master of Science in Emergency Management (MSEM) programs. Please visit the link below and/or email enroll@jsu.edu for eligibility.

First Responders Scholarship

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Kay Vonderschmidt- one of our first doctoral graduates and a former adjunct faculty.

OBITUARY

Fall 2025

Mar 10 Priority Registration - Graduate/Doctoral Students

Mar 11 Priority Registration – Seniors 96+ hours earned

Mar 12 Priority Registration – Juniors 64+ hours earned

Mar 13 Priority Registration – Sophomores 32+ hours earned

Mar 14 Priority Registration – Freshman

Aug 14 Faculty Available

Aug 20 Classes Begin – Late Registration Fee Charged

Aug 26 Payment Due

Aug 26 Last Day to Withdraw from all Courses and Receive 100% Tuition Refund

Aug 26 Last Day to Apply for Fall Graduation

Aug 26 Last Day to Register or Add a Class

Sept 1 Labor Day Observed

Sept 2 Last Day to Withdraw from all Courses and Receive 80% Tuition Refund

Sept 16 Last Day to Withdraw from all Courses and Receive 50% Tuition Refund

Oct 9-10 Advisement/Grading Days (no in-person or synchronous online classes meet)

Oct 12 Midterm Grades Due by 11:59 PM

Oct 13 Midterm Grades Viewable by Students 10 AM

Nov 11 Last Day to Drop a Class or Withdraw

Nov 24-28 Thanksgiving Break

Dec 2 Last Day of Class

Dec 3-9 Final Exams

Dec 11-12 Fall Commencement

Dec 12 Grades Due by Noon

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