Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs
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2024Emergency management presents the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in communities by ensuring public safety and improving disaster resilience — a significant motivator for many in this field.
Whether you’re looking to start a career in emergency management or advance your current role, earning a degree in this field can help you get started on your goals.
Online degree programs offer a flexible and convenient option for individuals who may be working or have other commitments. We’ll explore the best online emergency management degree programs and why a degree can be a valuable investment in your future.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Emergency Management Programs
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,574
- Out-of-state$14,662
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled12,759
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Immaculata University
- Immaculata, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$26,500
- Out-of-state$26,500
- In-State$12,780
- Out-of-state$12,780
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled2,479
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies
- Springfield, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,288
- Out-of-state$6,288
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled1,326
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Fairbanks, AK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,962
- Out-of-state$22,980
- In-State$10,414
- Out-of-state$21,904
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled7,179
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Adelphi University
- Garden City, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$38,470
- Out-of-state$38,470
- In-State$41,920
- Out-of-state$41,920
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled7,991
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Elizabeth City State University
- Elizabeth City, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,000
- Out-of-state$5,000
- In-State$3,375
- Out-of-state$16,437
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled1,769
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$29,700
- Out-of-state$29,700
- In-State$17,820
- Out-of-state$17,820
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled7,401
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment16%
- AccreditationYes
Bethel University
- McKenzie, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,188
- Out-of-state$10,188
- In-State$11,034
- Out-of-state$11,034
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled3,119
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
- Canton, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$13,534
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled3,223
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
Ohio Christian University
- Circleville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,533
- Out-of-state$13,533
- In-State$10,765
- Out-of-state$10,765
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,843
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment84%
- AccreditationYes
Why Pursue a Degree in Emergency Management?
Are you considering a career that combines excitement, challenge, and a genuine opportunity to make a difference in your community? A degree in emergency management could be your ticket to such a fulfilling profession.
The field of emergency management is in high demand due to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters and climate catastrophes. As an emergency management professional, you’ll likely enjoy job security and a wide array of career paths.
You could become an emergency management director, an emergency preparedness coordinator, a disaster recovery specialist, or a hazard mitigation specialist.
The field also offers ample career advancement opportunities, including leadership roles and specialization in areas like natural disasters, public health emergencies, or cyber threats.
Additionally, the dynamic and challenging work environment requires quick responses to evolving threats and effective collaboration with multiple stakeholders, making it a rewarding and fulfilling career. Overall, a degree in emergency management equips professionals with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in a critical and impactful career.
What Do You Learn in an Emergency Management Degree Program?
An emergency management degree program combines rigorous academic study with practical training on the four main phases of disaster relief work: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
You’ll take courses like:
- Hazard mitigation and preparedness
- Disaster response and recovery
- Emergency preparedness and planning
- Political and policy basis of emergency management
- Principles of hazards mitigation
- Public administration
- Urban management
- Geographic information system (GIS) technology
Hands-on experiences through simulations and field exercises will further equip you to manage real-world crises with precision and agility.
You’ll also gain essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, leadership, and problem-solving, preparing you to anticipate, mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from a variety of emergencies.
What Can You Do With an Emergency Management Degree?
With an emergency management degree, you’ll be equipped to pursue a variety of career paths, each with distinct job responsibilities.
Career options include emergency management specialist, emergency management technician, emergency medical services (EMS) worker, firefighter, law enforcement officer, homeland security professional, public safety officer, disaster recovery manager, public information officer, safety coordinator, and emergency preparedness coordinator.
These roles vary in their focus, from immediate response and medical care to long-term recovery and safety planning.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Projected Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Workers | $48,200 | 13% |
| Emergency Management Directors | $83,960 | 4% |
| Firefighters | $57,120 | 4% |
| Police and Detectives | $74,910 | 4% |
| Project Management Specialists | $103,610 | 7% |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $77,030 | 8% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Management Programs
A bachelor’s degree in emergency management usually requires four years of full-time study. However, there are accelerated programs available that allow students to complete their bachelor’s degrees in three years or less.
For master’s degrees in emergency management, the standard duration is two years, but some accelerated programs can be completed in as little as one year with intensive study.
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