Emergency response teams are responsible for delivering aid when emergencies happen in communities. 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 an emergency manager is $76,730 annually. Other potential career paths for individuals with this degree include project management specialists, who earn a median salary of $94,500, and EMTs and paramedics, whose median pay is $36,930 annually
Online bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to complete. The average tuition for an undergraduate degree in 2021-22 was $7,869 at public universities and $37,095 at private schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For a master’s degree, students can expect to spend 1-2 years enrolled in a program. The average tuition for graduate degrees is $12,394 at public schools and $26,621 at private institutions.
How to Choose an Online Emergency Management Program
Choose your area of study
A clear understanding of the type of career a student wants will help them discover the right educational path. Typical concentrations include natural disaster management and response, hazardous materials, border security, and public safety. Graduates may work with the local, state, or federal governments, hospitals, and emergency relief organizations. Some students may extend their education to law enforcement or higher-level management positions.
Research schools and programs
Students can begin their research by verifying if a program is accredited, which confirms they have a legitimate program that meets high standards.
The Department of Education’s database can provide information on the undergraduate or graduate program for an online emergency management degree. Attending an accredited school is important because it can impact your financial aid eligibility and future employment and education opportunities.
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, and job placement)?
- What support services are available to students (tutoring, health, technical support)?
- Who are the faculty, and what are their credentials?
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-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 essay or statement of interest
- 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
Students struggling to narrow their list of options may consider more minor details to help them select a program. Test score deadlines and minimum scores will help some students eliminate some possibilities. Because application fees can be costly, students should create an application budget to help them narrow their selections.
Additional considerations should be on the following:
- Costs of taking standardized tests
- Schools showing the most interest in their recruitment
- Accessibility to faculty, staff, and resources
Some schools offer an application fee waiver for students needing financial aid, a great advantage for some students.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Financial aid is available in many forms today. Applying through 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
The most common degree titles in the emergency management field are Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Master of Science. We reviewed a variety of programs to meet different educational and professional needs.
We focused on online programs for this list, although several programs are also offered on-campus, and some allow students to complete coursework in a mixture of in-person and online classes.
All schools on this list have regional accreditation, ensuring they meet a high standard for quality education. Several programs are also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management Education (CAEME).
Once we narrowed our list of programs, we evaluated their reputation, cost, course strength, flexibility, and faculty, and then we gave each an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
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 experiences. 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, including biological, chemical, climate, and earth science. 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 discover new technologies that assist in a crisis, communication, building 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. Students learn how to assist companies in creating safe emergency plans they can utilize in a crisis. Students learn about various agencies communities can connect with for resources and assistance.
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.
However, online degree programs can save students money in areas like transportation, on-campus activities, meal plans, and parking fees.
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 can 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.