Millersville University graduate Dennis Merrigan was more than two decades into his career as a firefighter for the city of Philadelphia when he decided it was time to pursue new goals. Having “seen it all,” he had a very clear idea of what he was looking for in an emergency management master’s program and he did not intend to compromise.
“I know there are a lot of emergency management programs that are just kind of, I don’t want to say fly-by-night, but they’re just not academically rigorous,” said Dennis. “And I thought, if I’m going to do it and spend the time, I want to get into a program that actually is worthy of putting in the time, money and everything that goes into a college degree.”
“I also wanted to make sure there was a good return for me on the back end of having a quality degree. And Millersville has a great reputation,” he added.
That reputation led Dennis to choose a Master of Science in Emergency Management program from Millersville. The ability to study on a flexible schedule was another big reason why he chose MU Online.
“The online program works really well, especially if you’re someone in emergency services and you have a very chaotic schedule,” he said. “And most of the classes were at night or at times that were convenient for me. It really worked well.”
Faculty Support and Time Management
Dennis was particularly impressed with the design of the online emergency management graduate program, as well as the faculty experience and commitment.
“Being in a profession, your time is very limited, and you want to be as efficient as you can in your day-to-day life,” said Dennis. “It was an efficient program that really took account of your time. The classes were straightforward. There wasn’t a lot of fluff.
“I think a lot of the [faculty] in the program are invested in the profession,” he added. “They’re not just interested in moving people along. There was actual concern about the learning, about the curriculum. I thought there was a higher level of professionalism.”
The Importance of Rigorous Training
During his decades of service, Dennis has responded to almost every kind of emergency imaginable. Those experiences sharpened his skills as a first responder. But since earning his emergency management master’s degree, he feels more confident and well-equipped to manage teams and positively impact outcomes.
“I’ve seen everything from a refinery explosion to a plane crash and have dealt with every agency from the National Transportation Safety Board to FEMA and everybody probably in between,” said Dennis. “When you start looking at issues in the master’s program and you start getting more in depth into them and you see that there’s a lot more to this, you start peeling that onion back.
“Once I got into the emergency management program, working through the curriculum and doing the assignments and having that kind of challenging learning experience, it made me a better student and it gave me more confidence to push forward,” he added. “And I think at the end of the day, it helped me become a better fire officer overall.”
Inspired to Fulfill His Highest Potential
After graduating from MU Online in 2015, Dennis decided to keep reaching. He has since gone on to earn a post-graduate certificate in terrorism studies and is currently studying for his doctorate in emergency management.
“I wanted to be challenged. And I did find that the [MSEM] program challenged me a lot more than what I thought it would have,” said Dennis. “And, in the end, it gave me confidence to move on and pursue my Ph.D.”
Now Fire Marshal for the city of Philadelphia, Dennis looks back on his experience at MU Online with gratitude.
“I really, really appreciated my time at Millersville so much that I’ve taken a spot as an adjunct professor in the program,” he added. “If you want to really become a student of your profession, if you really want to dig down and learn about this in more than just a superficial way, you want to get into a program like Millersville because you’re going to learn in a much deeper way and across a broader spectrum. You’re going to be guided along that path and you’re going to be supported. You’re going to be challenged, and it makes you a better professional at the end of the day.”
Advance to Leadership Roles in Emergency Management
This affordable, highly respected Master of Science in Emergency Management program from MU Online will prepare you to lead emergency response teams in a wide range of settings. Career-relevant curriculum covers critical elements of emergency management including mitigation, communication, response, recovery and science. Gain a thorough understanding of emergency preparedness planning and social dimensions of disasters including mental health and trauma. Program information will also help you prepare for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam.
Designed for working for professionals, this flexible online emergency management program features pay-as-you-go tuition, a streamlined admission process and multiple start dates. Complete the program in as few as 11 months.
Why Choose Millersville Online?
- 100% online coursework: Advance your career without sacrificing work and personal obligations. Learn at the time that is most convenient for you from anywhere in the world.
- Industry alliances: Our professors have real-world, practical experience, and they have the connections to show for it. Industry leaders know they can count on Millersville alumni.
- High-value degrees: Tuition for our online programs is among the most affordable in the region. Plus, we offer pay-by-the-course convenience.
- Transfer credit hours: We help you finish faster with our generous credit-transfer policy for prior higher education experience. You can save money and reach your goals sooner.
