A master’s program provides education and hands-on experience such as internship opportunities. Those without experience may want to consider programs such as FEMA Corps to build professional experience.
Online Master’s in Emergency Management Programs 2021
Search for online colleges by subject.
Emergency management professionals prevent disasters and other hazards. An emergency management degree equips learners with education and training in key areas including disaster mitigation, response, and community resilience.
Emergency management master’s degree-holders work at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and municipal governmental agencies. These professionals also find employment with private and nonprofit organizations. They assume roles such as emergency management specialist and emergency management director.
Emergency management workers receive good compensation for their efforts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that emergency directors with a bachelor’s and five years of experience earn $74,590 in median annual salary. This guide provides more information about emergency management programs, career opportunities, and scholarship funding.
Emergency Management Career Outlook
-
Q. How do I start a career in emergency management?
-
Q. Is emergency management a good career?
Emergency managers play a vital role in protecting and serving their communities. They earn a good wage and may experience a 4% job growth rate between 2019-2029, according to BLS projections.
-
Q. What kinds of jobs can you get with an emergency management degree?
An emergency management degree-holder qualifies for roles including emergency management coordinator, planner, and specialist. FEMA also notes that graduates become business continuity planners.
-
Q. What is the difference between emergency management and disaster management?
Emergency management focuses on assessing, mitigating, and responding to hazards, disasters, and other emergencies. Disaster management focuses primarily on response and recovery during and after these events.
Accredited Online College Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
Why Get a Degree in Emergency Management?
Emergency management professionals bear significant responsibilities. An advanced emergency management degree equips them with the proficiencies needed for their public service roles. Emergency managers and specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree and work experience in an area such as emergency management, law enforcement, or fire safety.
A master’s degree suits those with emergency management experience wanting to advance to leadership roles. It also enhances employment prospects for those entering the field with less experience. Employers value the advanced skills and on-the-job training that the best online emergency management degrees provide. Students can build real-world experience through internships and by volunteering with FEMA Corps, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps VISTA.
Online Guide to Accredited Colleges and UniversitiesHow Much Does an Emergency Management Degree Cost?
Emergency management degree costs depend on factors such as institution, location, and format. Students can expect to pay between $499-$1,483 per credit, or about $15,968-$48,939 total for an online emergency management master’s degree.
Virtual learning increases access to programs nationwide. The learning format also provides flexibility for working professionals wanting to advance their education. Enrollees save on the cost of relocation, transportation, childcare, and related expenses. Many schools now offer a flat tuition for students learning exclusively online, thereby saving on more expensive out-of-state tuition.
Colleges offering a generous financial aid package and interest-free payment plans help make the degree more affordable. Prospective students affiliated with the military or law enforcement benefit from tuition discounts at some schools. An emergency management degree may prove a worthy investment given the well-paying jobs and favorable job growth projected for graduates.
Calculating the Cost of a College Degree
With some basic information, this affordability calculator can help students determine the price of tuition and the monthly payments they can afford.
College Affordability Calculator
Break down your current financial situation, and receive a college tuition estimate you can afford to pay.
How Much Do Emergency Management Majors Make?
Wages for emergency management degree-holders vary based on factors such as occupation, sector, and employer. March 2021 PayScale information highlights the most popular emergency management specialist employers: FEMA, public health departments, and the U.S. Air Force. PayScale reports that FEMA pays the highest salaries to these professionals, with a $71,280 annual salary.
FEMA currently hires for positions such as reservists, emergency management specialists, and supervisory emergency management specialists. Many positions require advanced education or experience, and pay reflects this level of professional accomplishment.
Emergency management directors with advanced education and the most experience can earn median annual salaries greater than $141,230, according to the BLS. Local and state governments pay the least with $67,060 and $64,710, respectively. Employers in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector pay the most at $106,420. The median pay for all emergency management directors stands at $74,590 per year.
Courses in Emergency Management
An evolving field such as emergency management requires employees well-versed in the latest trends, developments, and best practices. The curriculum for an online emergency management degree varies by program. Students can expect to complete between 30-36 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Some programs offer fully online learning. Others offer the best of both worlds with a blend of in-person and online learning. Coursework explores topics including risk identification and assessment; emergency management leadership; and continuity of operations, recovery, and emergency management.
Degree-seekers may use an internship or capstone project to demonstrate mastery of learned concepts. See below for three other courses in many emergency management degrees, representative of a sample curriculum.
Law and Legal Issues in Emergency Management
This course introduces federal, state, and municipal legislation governing emergency management response during disasters. Participants explore topics including citizens’ constitutional rights, emergency management legal issues since 9/11, and legal and ethical considerations in implementing measures during emergency situations.
Hazard Mitigation Planning
Students examine theories and practices in hazard mitigation. They study how emergency management professionals develop plans and evaluate them for efficiencies and implementation challenges. They explore case studies, evaluate hazard mitigation plans, and apply their learning during individual and team projects.
Management of Critical Incidents
The course explores various disaster scenarios and response operations. Learners examine the roles of responding emergency management personnel and their respective organizations. They examine the challenges that personnel face during these operations, and the best practices used to address them. Faculty may use simulations, role-playing, or other teaching tools as part of the class.
Certifications and Licensure for Emergency Management
Certifications provide emergency management workers with credentials that verify their professional competencies. States may establish certain requirements for first responders and emergency management staff. Various national organizations offer the following key certifications.
Associate Emergency Manager and Certified Emergency Manager
The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) offers these two certifications to advance emergency management managers’ careers. Candidates pay a certificate.
Certified Public-Safety Executive
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International awards the CPE credential to public safety communications professionals including agency executives, managers, and supervisors. Candidates must complete two 12-week online courses and a culminating capstone to earn CPE designation.
Certified Emergency and Disaster Professional
The International Board for Certification Services and Management awards the CEDP designation to emergency personnel from various backgrounds, including municipalities, law enforcement, and emergency management agencies. Candidates pay a fee and must pass a 100-150 question multiple-choice exam focused on emergency management, disaster preparedness, and safety and environment.
Scholarships for Emergency Management
Students use scholarship funding to help defray the cost of earning an online emergency management degree. The sponsoring organization establishes eligibility criteria, which may include academic performance or financial need. Below, we list three scholarship opportunities for emergency management students.
-
International Association of Emergency Managers Scholarship
Who Can Apply: IAEM offers this scholarship to help cultivate graduate students well-prepared for the disaster management field. Candidates submit an application that includes school transcripts and two essays.
Amount: $1,500+
-
CIA Graduate Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The CIA offers a generous needs-based financial package for graduate students pursuing various majors. Candidates need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must pass minimum requirements to join the CIA.
Amount: Up to $25,000 per year
-
Niche Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Niche offers monthly scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing any major at a college. Candidates create an account and submit an application.
Amount: $2,000
Online Master’s in Emergency Management Programs 2021
See Our Rankings Methodology
-
Arizona State University-SkysongLocation
Scottsdale, AZ
Graduation Rate14%
ASU is one of Arizona's largest public colleges. The school offers a top-ranked master's in emergency management. The degree trains students to address natural, technological, and terrorism-related disasters. Learners choose from five concentrations. Some options include community resilience, emergency management, and homeland security.
Candidates complete a minimum of 33 credits. The program provides a field overview along with specialized concentration courses. Learners study topics such as hazards governance and integrated emergency management. Enrollees also explore public policy analysis, leadership, and organizational management.
All students complete a capstone project. The capstone requires degree-seekers to complete a worthwhile project for an emergency management organization. Students may design data dashboards or create operational plans. The capstone may also involve developing traffic flow plans for disaster and emergency situations.
-
Arkansas Tech UniversityLocation
Russellville, AR
Graduation Rate40%
A major public college in Russellville, ATU hosts one of the state's top master's in emergency management programs. Candidates explore the field from a scholar-practitioner perspective. They examine emergency management's legal, ethical, social, and political dimensions.
The degree offers online, in-person, or hybrid enrollment options. The program prepares students for advanced management careers or academic research at the doctoral level.
Learners complete 36 credits. These credits include 18 core credits, nine elective credits, and nine culminating credits. Core courses cover topics such as leadership, emergency management technology, and research design methods. Electives may explore specialized emergency management topics, such as counterterrorism or natural disasters.
The program offers three culminating tracks: a comprehensive exam, thesis, or practicum. The exam and practicum tracks include a capstone project. The thesis track focuses on research, often preparing graduates to apply to Ph.D. programs.
-
Lander UniversityLocation
Greenwood, SC
Graduation Rate43%
Based in Greenwood, South Carolina, Lander hosts one of the state's best emergency management degrees. The master of science in emergency management trains students to combat disasters, both natural and man-made. The program focuses on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Students explore disaster management strategies at the institutional, local, regional, and national levels.
The curriculum includes 31 credits divided between core requirements and electives. Core courses cover topics such as preparedness and mitigation and response and recovery. Electives teach specialized topics such as emergency management law and nuclear incident management.
Lander's program serves working emergency managers and other professionals. All courses run fully online. Full-time enrollees can earn their degree in two years. Lander also offers deferment and re-enrollment options for students whose professional responsibilities take them away from the program.
-
Millersville University of PennsylvaniaLocation
Millersville, PA
Graduation Rate60%
Home to one of Pennsylvania's top master's in emergency management programs, Millersville trains candidates for emergency manager roles. The program serves candidates of all academic backgrounds. Applicants do not need emergency management experience.
Candidates complete 30 credits divided between 24 credits of core courses and six credits of electives. Core courses build basic knowledge of emergency management. Learners study the social aspects of disaster and emergency management planning. Electives cover topics such as crisis communication, terrorism, and humanitarian responses. The program ends with a field experience.
Millersville offers a flexible online format. Many courses run synchronously with live online courses during the evenings. Students can complete the program in two years. However, the curriculum model enables enrollees to take 1-4 years to graduate.
-
Adelphi UniversityLocation
Garden City, NY
Graduation Rate70%
A private college based in Garden City, New York, Adelphi offers one of the state's top master's in emergency management programs. Enrollees gain knowledge in all-hazards planning and disaster response technology. The program focuses on practices of disaster preparedness and mitigation. Learners also study response and recovery strategies. Most candidates complete the degree in 2.5 years.
The program includes a minimum of 39 credits. The curriculum highlights topics such as disaster health management and emergency management law. Candidates can also complete an 18-credit emergency management certificate. Students can apply these credits toward the master's degree requirements.
Adelphi's emergency management program enrolls students of all backgrounds. Applicants do not need professional or academic emergency management experience. However, candidates may need to complete two prerequisite courses in computer applications and mathematics for managers. The program offers rolling admissions and two annual start dates.
Latest Posts
See All Posts
Pennsylvania State University System Merger
Six of Pennsylvania's 14 state-run universities will merge into two schools for the 2022-23 academic year. Under the plan, California, Clarion, and Edinboro will become one university with three campuses...
How I Paid Off My Student Loans: Megan in St. Paul, Minnesota
Welcome to our new series about personal student loan repayment. We'll be sharing how people got out of debt, whether it was through loan forgiveness, steady payments, or outside help....
What are the Differences Between the FAFSA and the CSS Profile?
Prospective and current college students can use the FAFSA application to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid. Another popular financial aid form includes the CSS Profile, which 400 colleges and universities use to award need-based institutional aid. The following sections break down the differences between the two applications, instructions for filling them out, and […]
Search for Online Colleges by Subject
Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.