Jacksonville, AL – As reported by Brett Buckner with Jacksonville State University’s (Jax State) media department, JSU’s Emergency Management program has achieved significant national recognition in 2024. 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.
The program’s success in these rankings is a testament to its strong reputation, though it does not actively seek rankings. Dr. Tanveer Islam, Professor and Chair of Emergency Management and Public Administration, explained that rankings help build credibility and attract students to the program. “We have been consistently recognized nationally for the past several years, which validates how highly regarded Jax State’s emergency management program has become,” Dr. Islam 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 Forbes, CollegeRank.com has awarded Jax State first place for its online master’s degree in emergency management, third for its online bachelor’s degree, and third for its online doctorate program. “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.”
Further recognition came from Intelligent.com, which ranked Jax State’s program third among the Best Master’s in Emergency Management Degree Programs of 2025. Jax State’s diverse offerings also include a graduate certificate in emergency management and a new 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 emergency management enrollments in the nation, Jax State remains dedicated to providing a top-tier education in this critical field. In a further mark of distinction, 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,” said Dr. Islam.
Through high rankings, strategic partnerships, and national awards, Jacksonville State University’s Emergency Management program continues to lead in educating the next generation of emergency management professionals.
