Online Emergency Management Certificate Program Available Nationwide by Western Washington University; Spring classes start March 27

Western Washington University offers an online emergency management certificate program. The program is designed for the public and will provide training suitable for a variety of emergency management professions, from public administration and public health to emergency administration and planning. Formal admission to Western is not required to enroll in the program and participants can start the program in any one of four quarters: fall, winter, spring or summer.

Bellingham, Washington (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

Western Washington University is currently accepting applicants for its 24-credit online Emergency Management certificate program, which provides the academic background established at the Emergency Management Institute at FEMA and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IEMA). Registration is currently open for spring classes.

The online Emergency Management Certificate Program ensures participants meet a base level of training and understanding, and prepares them to sit for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam administered by IAEM.

This spring, in additional to an internship and research project, three classes will be offered, ranging from two to six credits each; including Impact of Disaster, Practical Applications of Emergency Management, and Group Dynamics and Facilitation of Emergency Management Systems.

“The field of Emergency Management is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States and Western's certificate is a valuable credential to add to a person's skill set and resume. Certified Emergency Managers or working professionals teach each of the courses and provide real world information and scenarios based on their unique experiences,” said Ariel Cleasby-Heaven, Program Manager.

During the program, students will learn about disaster and hazard mitigation, business continuity (keeping a business running in a time of crisis), and emergency response planning using the model “Mitigate, Plan, Respond, Recover.” In addition, students will learn how to respond to hazardous materials and bio-terrorism, determine critical infrastructure, define vulnerable populations in a disaster, and understand the roles of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Western Washington University is an accredited university and is consistently ranked as one of the top public regional universities in the western United States. The online Emergency Management classes are taught over a 10-week period corresponding to the University's quarter schedule. Up to three courses are offered each quarter. Because classes are taught asynchronously, attendance is not required on any specific day or time.

Prompt registration is encouraged to reserve your space in the course. Register online at http://www.EmergencyMgmt.wwu.edu. For more information contact WWU Extended Education at (360) 650-3308 or eesp(at)wwu(dot)edu.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/2/prweb9237119.htm