Studies in Transportation Safety, Security, and Emergency Management (TSSEM)

Our online graduate program offers students a unique opportunity to develop expertise across the three interrelated topics of transportation safety, security, and emergency management. Safety management protects from harm caused by non-intentional hazards, security management protects from intentional human behaviors, and emergency management prepares organizations for effective organizational response in the face of emergencies.

While safety, security, and emergency management are each independently critical to protecting human life, property, and the environment, transportation professionals are much more successful at managing any one of these areas when knowledgeable about all three.

The TSSEM program prepares students for careers across the transportation industry. Public-sector transportation organizations are required by law to have staff working on both safety and emergency management, and in recent years new federal mandates require public transit agencies to prioritize safety management. Students who complete our TSSEM studies would be well prepared for such positions as Chief Safety Officer of a public transit operator and Emergency Manager or Security Manager for a public transit or tranpsportaion agency.

Study options

Options for TSSEM studies:

1. Complete the Certificate in Transportation Safety, Security, and Emergency Management (4 courses/12 units)
    
2. Complete the MS in Transportation Management (10 courses/30 units)

What you will learn

Students gain a holistic understanding of the TSSEM legal and regulatory requirements, as well as practical functions. Specific topics covered include:

• Laws and functions regarding safety, including new federal regulations (2019 and 2020)
   
• Laws and functions regarding emergency management (ICS,SEMS, NIMS)
   
• Best practices and functions regarding security (employee, passenger, facility, assets)
   
• Roles played by the local, state and federal government, professional organizations and unions in shaping an organization’s safety, security and emergency management structures
   
• Current and future challenges in safety, security and emergency management facing industry leaders (sophisticated equipment, employee training, climate change, social relationships, pandemic disease, terrorists, criminals)
   
• Opportunities for transportation systems to support community goals (sustainability, resiliency)

Why study TSSEM with us?

• Learn from industry leaders: Course instructors are nationally-known transportation professionals and researchers, and MTI's Board of Trustees advise on curriculum planning.
   
• Flexible program for working professionals: The online classes meet once a week, 5:30 - 9:30 pm (Pacific). Check out the schedule of upcoming classes here.
   
• Seminar-style, live classes: Classes are a mix of discussion, lecture, student presentations, and guest presentations from industry experts. Check out course syllabi listed with the class schedule)
   
• Learn together with other transportation professionals: Our students work across the transportation industry. Check out this page to meet the 2021 MSTM graduates.
   
• Affordable tuition: Students pay tuition for MTM classes on a per-course basis. As of Fall 2023, the cost is $1,395 per 3-unit course. In the Fall of 2024, the cost will rise to $1,485 per 3-unit course. Many students also receive financial support.

How to apply

Details on applying and registering for courses are here.

To learn more

Please reach out with any questions to:

• Asha W. Agrawal​, PhD, Education Director.