Master of Professional Studies: First Responder Leadership
While completing the M.P.S., students in this track enroll to complete the Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in First Responder Executive Leadership.
Why choose Rowan's first responder program?
Whether you’re working to enhance your career as quickly as possible or trying to fit a Master's program into your busy schedule, we will help you meet your goals as you work toward earning your Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree.
The Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree combines traditional academics with specialized, industry-specific skills courses in a highly applied, hands-on research setting. Today's leaders create pathways to carry an organization forward and bring all stakeholders together with their strategic direction.
Students enrolled in the M.P.S. program will learn and strengthen their skills in the following areas:
- Data-driven decision making
- Agile frameworks
- Strategic resource planning
- Team leadership
- Project management
The degree includes core courses to provide an exposure to a broad range of interdisciplinary topics in organizational leadership, analytical data interpretation, and interpersonal and professional communication. With key private, public, and industrial partners throughout the region, the M.P.S. degree offers students a dynamic interdisciplinary learning approach, both in and out of the classroom, coupled with a final culminating experience in the student’s area of study.
The M.P.S. program builds a solid foundation for career mobility for the contemporary learner. The M.P.S. program requires completion of 30 semester hours (M.P.S. core courses [15 semester hours] and the completion of one Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) [15 semester hours]: Administration Science or First Responder Executive Leadership). This page contains information for the following area of study focus: Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in First Responder Executive Leadership.
Students will select the C.O.G.S. of their choice during the application process. Visit the Master of Professional Studies in Administrative Science page for information about the M.P.S. program with the following area of study focus: Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in Administrative Science.
Key considerations
**Face-to-face format starting Summer 2026 and future entry points
Quick Facts
Credits
Application Deadlines
Fall (M1)* Entry Term
Fall (M2)* Entry Term
Spring (M3)*Entry Term
Spring (M4)*Entry Term
Summer (M5)** Entry Term
Summer (M6)** Entry Term
Studying first responder executive leadership at Rowan
What You'll Learn
The Master of Professional Studies is a campus-based program designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to complete most, or possibly all, of your courses online. Our online courses blend asynchronous learning with live, interactive sessions, all accessible from anywhere without the need to come to campus. The Master of Professional Studies consists of 30 semester hours including the selection of a 15 semester hour Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in Administration Science or First Responder Executive Leadership. Students will select the C.O.G.S. of their choice during the application process.
This page contains information for the following area of study focus: Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in First Responder Executive Leadership.
- 10 Courses / 30 Semester Hours
- Foundation Courses: No
- Graduation / Exit / Thesis Requirements: Yes, students must complete the course MPS 22699-Action Study: Master of Professional Studies.
Students can start the M.P.S. degree at any point and complete any sequence of classes, the capstone is the last course and students must complete the prerequisites. Students are not required to complete the C.O.G.S. first to enter the M.P.S. degree.
Required Courses: 15 S.H.
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| MPS 22500 | Professional Studies Seminar | 3 |
| MPS 22503 | Foundations of Agile Management | 3 |
| MPS 22551 | Foundations of Data Analytics and Reporting (or MPS 22552) | 3 |
| MPS 22552 | Advanced Foundations of Data Analytics and Reporting* | 3 |
| MPS 22600 | Project Management and Team Building | 3 |
| MPS 22699 | Action Study: Master of Professional Studies Research | 3 |
First Responder Exectuvie Leadership Certificate of Graduate Study
Required Courses: 9 S.H.
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| DPEM 00550 | Disaster Policy and Legal Environment in Emergency Management | 3 |
| DPEM 00600 | Public Budgeting and Finance for Emergency Managers | 3 |
| DPEM 00691 | Administrative Public Policy and Law for Public Managers | 3 |
Elective Courses: 6 S.H. (Choose two from the following list):
| Course Number | Title | S.H. (Credits) |
| DPEM 00692 | Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining | 3 |
| DPEM 00615 | Management of First Responder Organizations | 3 |
| CJ 09526 | Management of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| DPEM 00622 | School-Based Threat Assessment and Planning | 3 |
| DPEM 00675 | Disaster Analytics: Evidence-Based Emergency Management and Professional Practice | 3 |
| DPEM 00646 | Fire Service Executive Leadership Clinical** | 3 |
*Recommended for Data Analytics and Management Specialization
**With permission of Program Advisor
Note: The courses listed above are not official and are subject to change. For an official list of available courses please visit the Rowan University Academic Catalog.
Transfer Credit Evaluation Policy
The student should contact the Program Coordinator/Advisor of this program to discuss any potential transfer credit or prior learning assessments.
Admission Requirements
The following is a list of items required to begin the application process for the program. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program. Upon receipt of the materials below, a representative from the Rowan Global Admissions Processing Office will contact you with confirmation or will indicate any missing items.
- Rowan Application Form
- No application fee required
- Bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Current professional resume
- Two letters of recommendation
Tuition and Aid
At Rowan University, we pride ourselves on being vigilant and frugal about tuition. We work hard to provide quality education while seeking to reduce the barrier that college costs can present students.
We know paying for tuition can be a challenge. That is why Rowan provides students with the financial resources needed to put their education first by offering grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
Upcoming virtual information sessions and events
Strengthen your Emergency Management skills
In addition to completing the core courses in the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), students in this track will enroll in classes to complete the Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in First Responder Executive Leadership. The Certificate of Graduate Study (C.O.G.S.) in First Responder Executive Leadership is designed to equip our nation’s emergency management executive leaders at the federal, state, and local levels with the necessary skills to help communities, businesses, and individuals to protect themselves from threats and be able to mount an all-hazards response.
Required Courses:
- Disaster Policy and Legal Environment in Emergency Management
- Public Budgeting and Finance for Emergency Managers
- Administrative Public Policy and Law for Public Managers
Elective Courses (Choose two):
- Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
- Management of First Responder Organizations
- Management of Criminal Justice
- School-Based Threat Assessment and Planning
- Disaster Analytics: Evidence-Based Emergency Management and Professional Practice
- Fire Service Executive Leadership Clinical**
**With permission of Program Advisor
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