Jax State Emergency Management Climbs the Ranks as One of the Nation's Premier Programs

by Brett Buckner

Jacksonville, AL (11/07/2024) — Jacksonville State University's (Jax State) Emergency Management program has gained significant national recognition this year. Forbes Advisor recently ranked Jax State seventh and tenth on its lists of the Best Online Emergency Management Degrees of 2024 and Best Online Master's in Emergency Management Degree Options, respectively.

While the program does not actively seek out rankings, they help build credibility, explained Dr. Tanveer Islam, Professor and Chair of Emergency Management and Public Administration. "We have been consistently recognized nationally for the past several years, which validates how highly regarded Jax State's emergency management program has become," he said. "These rankings also help attract new students, as we are one of the top programs at Jax State in terms of growth and web traffic."

In addition to the Forbes ranking, CollegeRank.com has named Jax State first for its online master's degree in emergency management, third for an online bachelor's degree, and third for an online doctorate. "Our Emergency Management program is unique-not only at Jax State or in Alabama but also nationally," Dr. Islam noted. "We are the only higher education institution offering emergency management degrees at all three levels, from bachelor's to doctorate."

Intelligent.com also recognized Jax State, ranking its program third among the Best Master's in Emergency Management Degree Programs of 2025. The program's diverse offerings include a graduate certificate in emergency management and a newly introduced microcredential in cybersecurity. "We maintain strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies like the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)," Dr. Islam added. "Such collaborations keep Jax State on the radar."

With one of the largest enrollments in the nation for emergency management, Jax State remains committed to providing top-tier education in this vital field. Reflecting this dedication, its International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) student chapter recently received the prestigious Student Chapter of the Year Award in the 2024 IAEM Awards Competition. "This award is a testament to our students' hard work and the quality instruction they receive," Dr. Islam stated.