Undergraduate

Applied Psychology: Emergency Management Strategy and Planning

Explore psychological aspects influencing preparedness for natural and human-made disasters, including decision-making models, cognitive biases, risk perception, and social influences.

2026

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Online

Courses

24*

Credit

120 hrs.*

Full-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits)

Part-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits)

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College of Professional Studies

The University of New Hampshire offers an online Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology with an Emergency Management Strategy and Planning option, focusing on understanding human behavior within socio-cultural contexts. This program delves into psychological aspects influencing preparedness for natural and human-made disasters, including decision-making models, cognitive biases, risk perception, and social influences.

Graduates are prepared for careers in emergency management, public safety, and related fields, with the flexibility of completing the program entirely online.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

College of Professional Studies

What is the Emergency Management Strategy and Planning Option in Applied Psychology?

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology provides an understanding of human behavior within a socio-cultural context. Students explore the variables affecting human behavior within both individual and group settings. The major positions students for either post-college employment or advanced education. The emergency management strategy and planning option prepares students to address the psychological factors, prescriptive and descriptive models of decision making, cognitive biases, heuristics, risk perception, social influences, and past experiences that together help explain why people tend to be under prepared for potential natural and human-made disasters.

Why study the Emergency Management Strategy and Planning Option in Applied Psychology at UNH College of Professional Studies?

Our B.S. in Applied Psychology provides an understanding of human behavior within a socio-cultural context. You’ll explore the variables affecting human behavior within both individual and group settings, with an emphasis on applying what you learn to real-world settings. By choosing the option in emergency management strategy and planning, you will delve deeper into applying psychology in this area and learn about the various factors that help explain why people tend to be under prepared for potential natural and human-made disasters. You will also learn about strategies for mitigating risk in various scenarios.

Potential Career Areas

Emergency Management Specialist
Community Health Worker
Social and Human Service Assistant
Private Sector Security Officer
Safety Coordinator
Disaster Recovery Manager
Environmental Health and Safety Officer
Municipal Emergency Management

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Degree Plan

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
PSY 410	Introduction to Psychology	4
General Education Course		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510	Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus	4
PSY 470 or PSY 525	Child Development or Human Development	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
BEHS 445	Homeland Security and Emergency Management	4
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
MTH 504	Statistics	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
BEHS 610	Community Emergency Response	4
IDIS 560	Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences	4
PSY 602 or PSY 685	Theories of Personality or Principles of Psychopathology	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
PSY 530 or SOSC 602 or SOCI 601	Social Psychology or Men and Women in Cross-Cultural Perspectives or Society and the Individual	4
PSY 725	Cognitive Psychology	4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
BEHS 665	Disaster Management	4
BEHS 675	Terrorism: Domestic and International	4
Major Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
IDIS 601A or IDIS 601B or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities	4
PSY 740	Biopsychology	4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
PSY 797 or PSY 795	Integrative Capstone: Project in Applied Psychology or Integrative Capstone: Internship in Applied Psychology	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	120

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program

Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.

*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.

A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
Select one of the following:		4
MTH 402	Math for Our World
MTH 504	Statistics
MTH 510	Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems		4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World		4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression		4
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
IDIS 601A	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy	4
or IDIS 601B	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer
or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities
Total Credits		40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete all General Education program requirements. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Refer to the Degree Plan for a sample course sequence. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Major in Applied Psychology
Foundation Courses
PSY 410	Introduction to Psychology	4
PSY 470	Child Development	4
or PSY 525	Human Development
PSY 530	Social Psychology	4
or SOSC 602	Men and Women in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
or SOCI 601	Society and the Individual
MTH 504	Statistics	4
Intermediate Courses
PSY 602	Theories of Personality	4
or PSY 685	Principles of Psychopathology
IDIS 560	Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences	4
Major Electives
Select one of the following:		4
BEHS 695	Internship in Behavioral Science
or CRIM 425	Juvenile Justice
or MGMT 566	Organizational Behavior
or PSY 530	Social Psychology
or PSY 602	Theories of Personality
or PSY 603	Crisis Intervention
or PSY 626	Educational Psychology
or PSY 630	Psychology of Adulthood
or PSY 646	Psychology of Occupational Stress
or PSY 654	Counseling Theories
or PSY 665	Principles of Assessment
or PSY 685	Principles of Psychopathology
or SLA 506	Language Acquisition
or SOCI 675	Child Abuse and Neglect
or SOSC 602	Men and Women in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
or SOSC 630	Aspects of Aging and Older Adulthood in a Modern Society
Advanced Courses
PSY 725	Cognitive Psychology	4
PSY 740	Biopsychology	4
Option in Emergency Management Strategy and Planning
BEHS 445	Homeland Security and Emergency Management	4
BEHS 610	Community Emergency Response	4
BEHS 665	Disaster Management	4
BEHS 675	Terrorism: Domestic and International	4
Integrative Capstone
PSY 795	Integrative Capstone: Internship in Applied Psychology	4
or PSY 797	Integrative Capstone: Project in Applied Psychology
Total Credits		56

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Differentiate and critically analyze biological, developmental, cognitive, and sociocultural theories that provide an understanding of behavior and communicate this knowledge effectively.
Use computer technology, as well as quantitative and scientific reasoning, to function as informed consumers of psychological research.
Apply ethical principles that guide and inform the conduct of research and clinical practice.
Assess the prescriptive and descriptive models of decision making, preparation for or mitigation of several natural and human-made disasters, and accepted best practices for preparing communities and individuals for hazards.

Course Highlights

Introduction to Psychology
Statistics
Human Development
Men and Women in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Principles of Psychopathology
Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
Biopsychology
Cognitive Psychology
…and more!

Key Benefits of UNH CPS Online

Advantages

100% online courses – Learn from anywhere with flexible scheduling.
8-week terms – Move toward your goals faster.
Affordable tuition – Among the lowest in New England and nationwide.
Nationally ranked – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
Regionally accredited – By the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).
Generous transfer credit policy – About 89% of our students transfer in; we specialize in maximizing your previous college coursework and other college-level learning.
Credit for prior learning – Earn credit for relevant work experience, military training, and other learning outside the classroom.
Rolling admissions – Apply anytime and start in the term that works for you.
No GMAT or GRE required – Streamlined admissions process.
Expert faculty – Instructors are subject matter experts who share real-world experience to help you apply what you learn to your career goals.
Career advising for life – Available to all students, alumni, and even prospective students exploring their options.

Transfer Pathway

Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.

Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.

B.S. Applied Psychology CCSNH Transfer Pathway

Admissions Requirements

Completion of our free, online application for admission
High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC

Credit for What you Know

Your Prior Learning Counts

Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.

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Applied Psychology: Emergency Management Strategy and Planning, B.S. - CPS, CPSO