Jax State's Emergency Management and Public Administration programs continue to retain significant national recognition. Forbes Advisor recently ranked Jax State sixth and seventh on its lists of the Best Master’s in Emergency Management Online Programs and the Best Online Emergency Management Degrees, respectively. Jax State is also ranked third on the Best Master’s in Emergency Management Degree Programs by Intelligent.com.

Our NASPAA-accredited MPA program is also featured in Forbes Advisor's Best Online Master of Public Administration Programs. In addition, it is ranked seventh as the Best Online MPA Programs and twelfth among the top 30 online MPA programs. Go Gamecocks!



The Department of Emergency Management & Public Administration at Jacksonville State University is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Emergency Management Distinguished Practitioner–Scholar Award. The award will be presented at the Emergency Management Higher Education Colloquium (Virtual), June 3–4, 2026. Please submit your nomination materials (letter and CV) to em@jsu.edu by April 10, 2026.

To support economic development in this region, the department now offers a new Microcredential in Economic Development (ED) starting in Fall 2026. Along with the micro-credential in Public Administration (9 credit hours each), the stackable micro-credentials will constitute the Public Administration (PA) minor. For more information, please contact: mpa@jsu.edu

Advance Your Career with a 100% Online MPA from Jacksonville State University! Our NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) program offers the flexibility and rigor you need to succeed.

Apply to Jax State Emergency Management and Public Administration programs and build your future!

2026 Doctoral Integrative Seminar

Seminar Theme:

The New Frontier of Emergency Management: State-Led Adaptation for Effective Preparedness and Response

Our 2026 Emergency Management Doctoral Integrative Seminar will be held at Merrill Hall from August 10 to August 14. The keynote speakers include Dr. Amanda Savitt from Argonne National Laboratory and our Distinguished Affiliate Professors, Dr. David McEntire and Dr. Laura Myers from Jax State EMPA.

Faculty and Student Updates

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

Jax State EMPA is hosting a new student chapter of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the Alabama City/County Management Association (ACCMPA) at Jacksonville State University. Chapter President: Hannah White; Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gorgin Mansourian; and ICMA/ACCMA Advisor: Dr. Brett Johnson. Please contact Dr. Mansourian (gmansourian@jsu.edu) for membership information.

JSU-IAEM Chapter at the IAEM Conference

Jax State EMPA had a great time at the 73rd Annual IAEM Conference in Louisville, KY, connecting with fellow professionals, learning from inspiring sessions, and representing Jacksonville State University. Faculty Advisors: Dr. Laura Olson and Mark Landahl; JSU-IAEM Chapter President: Noah Maddox; and Secretary: Scott Gauvin represented the chapter and the department.

Contribute to EM/PA

We have about 500 active students and approximately 3000 graduates in all 50 states of the United States and all 7 continents! Below is a word cloud of the locations of most of our students and alumni. If you are interested in contributing to our programs, visit the page on JSU Foundation and select 'Make a gift' in the right-hand corner, then type "Emergency Preparedness" and/or "Master of Public Administration" and donate to your selected program(s). Thank you!

Summer 2026

Mar 13 Priority Registration - Open Registration Begins and Remains Open Until Balances are Due

May 7 Classes Begin – Late Registration Fee Charged

May 8 Last Day to Apply for Summer Graduation & Last Day to Register or Add a Class

May 25 Memorial Day

June 19 Juneteenth Observed

July 3 Independence Day Observed

July 22 Last day to Drop a Class or Withdraw

July 29 Final Exams

July 31 Grades Due by Noon & Summer Commencement

Fall 2026

Mar 13 Priority Registration - Open Registration Begins and Remains Open Until Balances are Due

Aug 11 Faculty Available

Aug 19 Classes Begin – Late Registration Fee Charged

Aug 25 Last Day to Apply for Fall Graduation & Last Day to Register or Add a Class

Sept 7 Labor Day Observed

Oct 8-9 Advisement/Grading Days (no in-person or synchronous online classes meet)

Oct 11 Midterm Grades Due by 11:59 PM

Nov 11 Last day to Drop a Class or Withdraw

Nov 23-27 Thanksgiving Break

Dec 1 Last Day of Class

Dec 2-8 Final Exams

Dec 10 Fall Commencement

Dec 11 Grades Due by Noon & Fall Commencement

Dec 16 Last Date of Faculty Availability

Follow us on social media to receive current news and updates: