Emergency Management A.A.S. Degree (Career)
Welcome to the Emergency Management Program at Frederick Community College (FCC). Frederick Community College is a fully accredited college located in Frederick Maryland just 15 miles south of FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI)/National Fire Academy (NFA). We are the only college in the country contracted with EMI to provide college credit for the Independent Study Program (ISP). We also offer an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), Emergency Management Certificate, and numerous specialization Letters of Recognition (LOR). Recognized nationally for our program, we have articulation agreements with American Public University (APU), University of Maryland University College (UMUC), and Charter Oaks State College. Armed with the FCC A.A.S. in Emergency Management, you can continue your Emergency Management education without the worry of loosing credit in the transfer with theses prestigious four year Colleges. We are also recognized by some of the largest jurisdictions in the country as THE source in obtaining college credit towards recruitment and promotions. Join over 100,000 professionals in their quest to further their Emergency Management college education.
Steps to the Emergency Management Program, Associates of Applied Sciences (AAS): Part 1 and Part 3 should be done simultaneously.
PART 1: Frederick Community College Admissions
- Apply for admission (free) to FCC online application form. Make sure you select:
My goal now is to earn an associate of applied science (AAS) degree so that I can prepare for a career. You will then see a drop down menu and select: Emergency Management A.A.S degree
- You will receive your acceptance letter within 7-10 business days of enrollment
* You must Request official transcripts from previous coursework sent to:
FCC Welcome & Registration Center
7932 Opossumtown Pike,
Frederick, MD 21702
(Note: Previous course work also includes college, military, EMS, Fire, Police experience. You must have an official transcript or letter sent directly from the institution or training facility to FCC for evaluation)
- Access PeopleSoft (FCC Student System Access) and follow the steps for “First time users”. Your user ID number will be found on your welcome letter.
- Send an email to emergmgt@frederick.edu letting us know you have enrolled in the Emergency Management program. With confirmation of FCC enrollment, we will schedule a teleconference advising session (20 minutes) to prepare you for success at FCC.
PART 2: General Education Credit and Transfer Procedure
- When your transcripts arrive at FCC they will be evaluated by the registration office. This process can take up to 4 calendar weeks. You will see the results of the evaluation on your PeopleSoft account.
- The FEMA courses meet the FCC in-residency requirement. This means if you still need general education courses (e.g. English, Math, History, etc.), they can be taken from a college or university local to you and transferred to FCC. Our registrar’s office will review and determine pre-approval of courses taken elsewhere by simply filling out and submitting the form Permission to Enroll: Verification of Transferability. Please allow 3 business days for the answer.
- We also offer online general education course at FCC. Please refer to current class schedule. (NOTE: Maryland residents qualify for in-county tuition rates. If you are not a Maryland resident, you will pay out-of-state tuition at FCC.)
- When all of your General Education and Emergency Management requirements are met, you are ready to receive your A.A.S. degree. To apply for graduation you must fill out the Graduation Application. You will receive your diploma in the mail. However we encourage you to join us here in Maryland to walk across the stage and receive your degree in person.
PART 3: FEMA ISP College Credit Conversion Process
- Review the Emergency Management Degree, Certificate, and LOR information (click image).This document breaks down what FEMA-EMI-ISP courses currently will convert into Frederick Community College credit.

- To complete the FEMA courses visit http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp and click on the course you desire to take.
- Upon completion of the FEMA-EMI-ISP course(s). Click to download the FCC Application for College Credit. To verify the fax was received or for FEMA conversion questions call (301) 447-1200, or you may send an email to Independent.Study@dhs.gov . This conversion process takes 20 business days or 4 calendar weeks. NO RUSH SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
PART 4: Module Exam and Internship Proceedure
- The Emergency Management A.A.S. courses are grouped into four modules. Each module has a comprehensive exam. The Emergency Management Modular Exam Information and Application includes detailed information on the modular exam, as well as, the application to take the exam. The modular exams are taken at an authorized testing center near your location. (NOTE: you must select an authorized testing center located at a community college, university or authorized military education center.)
- You will receive an email giving you directions on taking the exam. When you pass 3 out of 4 of the module exams, you are eligible for the Internship. The Internship is a 3 credit FCC course. If you are out-of-state, you must pay out-of-state tuition. We will schedule an Internship teleconference with you upon successful completion of 3 of the module exams, in order to discuss your internship in detail.
(NOTE: Students are responsible to arrange their internship site at an emergency management office (local to you) found in a business, city, county, state or federal level office. We recommend students sit down with the Director or their representative to discuss their desire to complete an Internship. The internship course consists of 135 hours over an 8-week (17 hours weekly) or 15-week (9 hours a week) semester. The Internship cannot be performed as part of the student’s normal duty/employment. Also, previous or current EM experience will not exempt you from the requirement. All internship candidates must review the Internship Workbook)
At this time, we are unable to offer financial aid or VA benefits through the college for the FEMA classes because the classes are not taught by us on this campus. The Gen. Ed. courses if taken through FCC should be available for regular financial aid and VA benefits. Questions regarding VA benefits should be addressed to Debby Hartman at dhartman@frederick.edu or 301-846-2474.
Additional funds may be available thru The International Association of Emergency Managers Scholarship Program at www.iaem.com/resources/scholarships/intro.htm.
Thank you for your interest in our Emergency Management Programs. We look forward to working with you in attaining your educational goals.