Excelsior College Evaluates FEMA Training for College Credit to Lower Tuition Costs for Federal Employees
Excelsior is a member of the Federal Academic Alliance formed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
ALBANY, N.Y. — Through a new agreement, Excelsior College, an accredited, not-for-profit online college, has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Emergency Management Institute to evaluate the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) for college credit.
This expansion of the Federal Academic Alliance, an educational partnership between the federal government, colleges, and universities, will support the professional development of FEMA employees. FEMA employees who complete the EMPP can apply this valuable training as 4 upper-level credits toward an undergraduate degree program at Excelsior College. FEMA employees can also apply credits awarded through other FEMA training evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).
“As an Excelsior College alumnus, it is very gratifying to have worked together to award college credit to the students who complete courses in the Emergency Management Professional Program. The three academies of the Emergency Management Professional Program have evolved into a school of continuing and professional studies for the education and professional development of emergency management professionals across the nation,” stated Kelly E. Garrett, EdD, director, EMPP Branch, Emergency Management Institute. He continued, “Our curriculum is designed along a continuum of learning which serves emergency managers throughout their careers, so we’re excited to partner with Excelsior College to help our students achieve their educational goals.”
The evaluation of FEMA training for credit represents thousands of dollars in savings for individual FEMA employees — and potentially a significant overall cost reduction in educational benefits provided by the federal government. That’s because employees will be able to transfer in credit for FEMA training, which translates to fewer courses to take at Excelsior to complete their degree. Coupled with the Federal Academic Alliance tuition discount, employees can earn a degree from Excelsior at a significantly lower cost.
“FEMA employees will now have an accelerated pathway toward completing their degree at Excelsior College. This will enhance their credentials and bolster their expertise in responding to emergency situations across the country,” said David Schejbal, PhD, Excelsior College’s president. “This benefit to FEMA employees provides validation of their experience and skills from trainings to help them earn a degree in less time while saving money.”
For nearly 50 years, Excelsior College has supported the adult learner through flexible learning options and by offering a generous transfer credit policy. Excelsior also translates government and corporate training into college credit through its extensive internal review process and assesses training that has been evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) or accredited college institutions for credit.
“Importantly, this new agreement with FEMA provides the opportunity for FEMA employees to continue propelling their career,” says Lisa Romano-Arnold, director of business development for Excelsior College. “In its work to strengthen workplace culture while supporting employee recruitment and retention, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management created the Federal Academic Alliance (FAA) to combat workforce shortages and offer tuition savings for federal government employees, spouses, and domestic partners. This extension of the alliance is an example of how the Federal Academic Alliance was intended.”
The EMPP has been reviewed and evaluated, and employees may apply the undergraduate credit toward Excelsior degree programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Bachelor of Science in National Security, and Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts. They can also transfer credits earned during previous college experience and receive credit for military training.
For more information, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/partner/feducation/.
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Media Contact:
Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624
ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.
