Bill McGann: Master's Degree Candidate, Emergency and Disaster Management 

Some people questioned APU student Bill McGann’s decision to earn a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management. After all, he already has an impressive position at FEMA as a disaster planning specialist – with more than 25 years experience in the field – and served six years in the Marine Corps.

McGann is also a member of several security related workgroups for the Environmental Protection Agency and is a FEMA liaison officer for special security events at the U.S. Capitol building.

“The fact is, in many careers, continuing education is a necessity,” said McGann. A volunteer firefighter and fire commissioner serving Loudoun County, Va., McGann has three sons who are career and volunteer firefighters.

“Anyone involved in fire rescue or emergency management will tell you that constant training and education is a lifesaving reality,” said McGann. “These fields are constantly changing, and the importance of staying in the classroom cannot be overemphasized.”

That “classroom” needed to fit a lifestyle filled with travel and work commitments. For instance, he was able to keep up with his studies while in California for 14 days this fall, supporting wildfire rescue efforts. He also spent seven days in southeast Texas helping with evacuation preparedness efforts for Hurricane Dean.

“Emergencies and disasters are not scheduled events, so it’s virtually impossible to schedule "normal" events, such as traditional university classes,” he said. The university’s regional accreditation status further convinced McGann that online learning at APU was the right choice.

McGann is pleased by the relevancy of course materials and even analyzed the Department of Homeland Security’s National Response Plan for a class. “What I reviewed in the evening, I would use the very next day at work,” he said.

McGann is careful not to take more than two classes a semester. He is able to keep up with assigned reading and writing papers by setting time aside each day and at least five hours on the weekend. Even if no assignment is due, McGann uses the time to review or read ahead. He may also spend extra time on the discussion board, an invaluable tool for him to network with his peers.

“The diverse backgrounds of the students provide an experience base that is hard to match in a traditional environment.”

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