An online emergency management degree will prepare students to lead the planning and response to crises. Online emergency management degrees are available at various levels, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s. The median pay for emergency managers is $83,960 annually. Other potential career paths for individuals with this degree include project management specialists, who earn a median salary of $98,580, and EMTs and paramedics, whose median pay is $44,780 annually.
Online bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to complete. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition for an undergraduate program is $7,998 at public universities and $34,923 at private institutions. In a master’s program, students can expect to spend 1-2 years earning their degree, and the average annual tuition for these programs is $12,596 at public schools and $28,017 at private schools.
How to Choose an Online Emergency Management Program
Choose your area of study
Many online emergency management programs will allow you to select a concentration and focus your studies on a particular niche in this field, such as natural disaster management and response, hazardous materials, border security, or public safety. If you already know what you would like to do after you graduate, look for programs that closely match these career goals.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Ideally, your emergency management program will be accredited by a respected industry group like the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management Education (CAEME) as well.
Questions to help students continue their research include the following:
- Does the program prepare students for certifications or licenses, if needed?
- Does the program have internship opportunities for students?
- What resources are available to students (financial aid, career counseling, job placement, etc.)?
- What support services are available to students (tutoring, health, technical support, etc.)?
- Who are the faculty members, and what are their credentials?
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
When conducting research, also take note of schools’ deadlines and requirements. Students can keep a spreadsheet or checklist to keep this information organized, especially if they’re applying for multiple programs.
Every bachelor’s or master’s-level program may require different materials, but generally, they ask for the following:
- Completed application and fees
- Official, sealed transcripts from all previous institutions
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Standardized test scores
Online bachelor’s degree programs in emergency management often require results from the SAT or ACT, while master’s degree programs require Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results.
If you need clarification on any application requirements or deadlines, contact the school’s admissions office to speak to an admissions counselor.
Select your program
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Speak to financial aid counselors at the schools you’re interested in for the most accurate and specific information about program cost.
Financial aid is available in many forms today. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an excellent place to start, as most schools use the information from this application to determine eligibility for federal student loans and grants and institutional aid like need-based scholarships. Many schools also use the CSS Profile to help determine a student’s financial aid eligibility.
Students can also explore opportunities for scholarships and grants from outside organizations. Individuals who are working while enrolled in their online emergency management degree program can inquire with their employer about tuition assistance benefits.
Best 50 Accredited Online Emergency Management Programs
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
This list features some of the best online emergency management degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online emergency management degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect from an Online Emergency Management Program?
Students in an online emergency management degree program receive instruction in four central areas, including preparedness, response, recovery, and relief in emergency situations. The curriculum is typically split between core classes and electives.
For an associate degree, students must earn a minimum of 60 credits. Most bachelor’s programs require completion of at least 120 credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in emergency management. Meanwhile, master’s degrees typically require a minimum of 30 credit hours to earn a Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA).
Many online emergency management degree programs require internships or capstone projects to teach students how to apply what they learn in courses to real-world situations. A capstone project may involve a case study where students receive an emergency scenario for which they must outline how they will respond. Some capstone projects may include real-world work hours with an emergency management team.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online emergency management degree program
- Science for Disasters. Students learn the basics of various threats that can lead to disasters. Specific topics covered include earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, cyclones, pathogen outbreaks, explosions, and radiological or nuclear threats. Students also learn the issues that follow disasters, such as people needing homes and medical assistance.
- Foundations of Emergency Management. Course materials cover the history and importance of emergency management professionals. Students also learn how local, state, and federal emergency management works. They review new technologies that assist in a crisis, how to build relationships with key groups, and stress-management techniques for emergencies.
- Volunteer Management. Emergency managers must know how to recruit volunteers and delegate tasks. They learn what to do with volunteers who show up unannounced and how to handle donations like food, water, and cash. Without specific planning, these tasks can quickly become overwhelming.
- Business Planning Services. All communities have businesses, schools, and organizations that benefit from learning how to prepare for disasters. In this course, students learn how to assist companies in creating safe emergency plans they can utilize in a crisis.
What Can I Do With an Online Emergency Management Degree?
Career outlook
This is an ideal bachelor’s degree for students who want to serve communities and organizations by preventing and preparing for crises.
Emergency management personnel are found in local, state, and federal government agencies, hospitals, schools, and other organizations. They typically must be on-call for unexpected situations and may have to travel to the site of disasters, depending on their position.
This degree also equips students with transferable skills like critical thinking and decision-making, especially in stressful situations, leadership, and interpersonal communication.
Some of the most common occupations for workers with this degree include:
- Emergency management director — Prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies and help lead the response during and after emergencies, often in coordination with public safety officials, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.
- Median annual salary: $83,960
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 3%
- New jobs projected: 900 per year
- Project management specialist — Coordinate the budget, schedule, and other details of a project; assemble and lead teams related to projects; and serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
- Median annual salary: $98,580
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 6%
- New jobs projected: 68,100 per year
- Public safety telecommunicator — Answer requests from people who need help and connect them with appropriate services, including police, firefighters, or other emergency services personnel.
- Median annual salary: $48,890
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 3%
- New jobs projected: 10,400 per year
Online Emergency Management Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online emergency management degree program?
Students applying to more than one university should contact each school’s admissions department to verify their requirements, which may include different materials and deadlines. Most schools accept applications and supporting documents electronically. Undergraduate students also have the option to use the Common Application to apply to multiple schools at once.
When sending transcripts and standardized test scores, make sure they are sent directly by the school or testing agency so they can be considered official.
How much does an online emergency management degree program cost?
This will vary based on a few factors, including a school’s status as a public or private institution. The tuition tends to be higher at private institutions compared to public schools. However, public schools may charge different tuition rates based on whether students are in-state or out-of-state.
Schools also typically charge online students additional fees for technical support and learning technology, student support services, library resources, labs, and more. Other common expenses include textbooks and supplies as well as fees for applications, standardized tests, and official transcripts.
How long does it take to earn an online emergency management degree?
Many factors determine the length of a degree program. Students earning a bachelor’s in emergency management can expect to complete at least 120 credit hours. A master’s program requires at least 30 credit hours. Full-time students usually take four years for a bachelor’s and two years for a master’s. Part-time students can expect to add at least one year to the total time.
Some programs are offered in an accelerated format, which compresses coursework into a shorter time frame, allowing students to complete their degree faster. However, unexpected life circumstances can interfere with a student’s degree completion timeline.
Is an online emergency management degree worth it?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of emergency management directors and personnel is expected to grow at an average pace through 2032, meaning there will be some competition for available jobs. Individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and internship experience will likely have an advantage in the hiring process over those who do not.
Emergency management directors earn a median annual wage of $83,960, which is significantly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations. Also, the top 10% of workers in this field earn more than $151,560 per year.