Mission College Launches Application for Emergency Services Administration Bachelor’s Degree

For Immediate Release

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - Mission College has announced the launch of the application for its new Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration (ESA), providing an affordable, career-advancing pathway for first responders and emergency management personnel throughout the region.

---

Applications are officially open for the inaugural Spring 2027 cohort through Monday, October 26, 2026, at 4 p.m.

Developed in response to state legislation expanding community college baccalaureate degrees, the program directly tackles a pressing regional need. Santa Clara County ranks in the 99.84th national percentile for disaster risk, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Risk Index. Workforce data highlights an annual regional shortage of skilled public safety management personnel, creating an urgent demand for trained incident commanders and emergency planners equipped for modern operational challenges.

"Our first responders carry extraordinary responsibilities, and this bachelor's degree gives them the strategic framework to step confidently into upper-level command," said Calogero Monachino, Fire Protection Technology & EMT Program Department Chair at Mission College. "We designed this curriculum around practical application, honing skills in major incident command, interagency crisis coordination, and organizational leadership so our graduates can protect our communities and lead their departments through high-stakes challenges."

Advanced Curriculum Grounded in Real-World Scenarios

Taught by experienced industry practitioners and emergency managers, the upper-division coursework focuses on the administrative and analytical complexities of modern public safety:

• Strategic Crisis Command: Evaluating high-stakes scenarios and directing coordinated emergency response efforts under demanding conditions.
• Organizational Leadership & Ethics: Managing diverse teams, personnel administration, labor relations, and guiding public safety agencies through institutional change.
• Public Policy & Interagency Planning: Navigating local, state, and federal regulatory frameworks, public sector finance, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
• Technological Operations: Implementing advanced emergency management data tools, incident command systems (ICS), and hazard mitigation strategies.

"This new degree represents a transformative step forward for our division and the entire Silicon Valley workforce," said Pamela Yang, Interim Dean of the School of Public Safety, Health and Wellness at Mission College. "By offering an accessible, low-cost bachelor's degree right here in our community, we are removing the financial barriers that often prevent dedicated frontline personnel from securing promotional credentials. We are proud to cultivate an equitable leadership pipeline that strengthens our regional emergency response network."

High Value and Accessible Admissions

Offered under the California Community Colleges Baccalaureate Degree Program, the 50 units of upper-division coursework are structured specifically to accommodate working shift schedules. At $130 per unit for California residents, total degree tuition is approximately $6,584, a fraction of the cost of four-year university options.

The program welcomes applicants holding an associate degree in Fire Technology, Administration of Justice, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)/Paramedic, Public Safety, or closely related fields.

Application Timeline for Spring 2027

• Application Closes: October 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
• Admissions Review: November 2–13, 2026
• Acceptance Notifications Issued: November 16, 2026
• Candidate Confirmation Deadline: November 20, 2026
• Instruction Begins: Spring Term 2027

To view degree prerequisites, download employment verification forms, and submit an online application, visit missioncollege.edu/bachelors.

---

Benjamin Demers
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
[email protected]