Emergency Management – Online Degrees & Courses

Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management from University of Maryland University College
UMUC’s Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management focuses on disaster prevention, planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
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B.S. in Fire and Emergency Management from Kaplan University
The Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Management is designed for emergency services personnel who want to increase their administrative and management knowledge.
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Online Master’s Degree Programs

MS – Emergency Management from Capella University
People who choose this specialization often work in law enforcement, fire service, or other security or emergency management fields who want to expertly manage critical incidents.
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Online PhD Degree Programs

PhD – Emergency Management from Capella University
This Emergency Management PhD specialization is designed to create scholar-practitioners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to oversee emergency organizations.
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About Emergency Management Careers & Education

Emergency management is a newly minted career path that attracts individuals with cool heads and superior organizational skills. Though the field has been around in one form or another for many years, many colleges and universities are now offering formalized degree programs that will prepare you for a job in the Department of Homeland Security and other protective agencies. With the rise of international terrorism and natural disasters threatening national security, the demand for qualified emergency managers is rapidly increasing.

The fundamental duties of an emergency manager are to author, coordinate, and implement plans to deal with crises and other emergencies that may arise rapidly and unexpectedly. Though a background in education is a good step for a successful career in emergency management, advanced communication skills and confidence are invaluable characteristics for any emergency management specialist.

Duties

Depending upon the specific preventative role of the agency you are interested in working for, the particular responsibilities of an emergency management specialist differ. In general, an emergency manager should be prepared to supervise all disaster responses or crisis organization activities that may arise. Disasters may include such natural occurrences as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Technological catastrophes such as nuclear power plant meltdowns and hazardous material spills are also covered within the duties of emergency managers as well. Emergency managers are particular in demand during wartime to deal with terrorism and hostage situations. In all cases, an emergency manager will be required to create and implement warning systems and evacuation plans if necessary.

As an entry-level emergency manager, you will be responsible for analyzing a great deal of statistics related to current plan effectiveness, vulnerability, expected consequences, and budgets. Interpersonal skills are essential for a successful career in emergency management, as you will be expected to work with local and federal heads of governments to create the most effective crisis plan.

A high-level emergency manager can choose to work in a variety of positions such as emergency operations center chief, director of security, emergency preparedness instructor, and hospital coordinator. Advancing in your career as an emergency manager depends upon a diverse skill set that springs from both education and experience.

Education

Unlike in past years, it is possible now to achieve a Bachelors degree in emergency management from a 4-year college or university. To complete such a course, you will be required to take courses covering topics such as emergency planning, first aid, disaster response, homeland security, and hazard identification. Other tracks of study that can result in an emergency management career include fire science, law enforcement, criminal justice, and first aid. It is possible to specialize in one particular type of crisis prevention, such as natural or chemical disasters.

In order to achieve a first-rate emergency management education, you may want to consider joining the military, which will provide you with unsurpassed on-the-job training in a variety of crisis supervision.

The most employable emergency management candidates have a combination of work experience, school credit, and personal skills.

Employment

With many upper management positions expected to open as the older generation enters retirement, the demand for qualified emergency managers is increasing rapidly. Though many emergency management jobs are available within federal and state governments, positions are also available in hospitals and crisis centers across the country. As an entry emergency manager you can expect to earn a salary of $40,000 yearly. Your salary may increase to over $100,000 a year with continued experience and educational achievement.