Online Doctorate (PhD) in Emergency Management: Reviewing Top Programs

Spotlighting Online Emergency Management PhD Programs

Looking for the right PhD in emergency management? Many top programs are fully online, with evening classes designed for working professionals. If you enjoy the flexibility of online learning, these degrees can help you balance work and studies while preparing for leadership in the field.

When reviewing programs, consider curriculum quality, affordability, scheduling, and support services. Below are a few strong options to guide your search.

Spotlighting Online Doctor of Emergency Management Programs

Emergency management leadership is diverse, with options beyond traditional PhDs. These non-PhD doctorates focus on applied practice and administration.

PhD vs. Doctorate in Emergency Management: What’s the Difference?

Both PhD and non-PhD doctorates prepare leaders, but with different emphases:

• PhD: Research- and academic-focused, leading to careers in universities, policymaking, or high-level analysis.
• Non-PhD Doctorates (DSc, DMSc): Practice-focused, training professionals for top leadership in emergency/disaster response and management.

In reality, the lines often blur. When deciding which option is right for you, ask yourself:

• Do I want a career in research/academia or administration/leadership?
• What format best fits my lifestyle (PhD timelines vs. accelerated DSc/DMSc options)?

The table below features a more specific breakdown of the differences between the two-degree types.

FAQs About Online Emergency Management Doctorates

Is the online doctorate or PhD in emergency management right for me?

If you’ve read this far, then you’re likely seriously considering going for an online doctorate or PhD in emergency management. And that means you’re probably currently employed in the emergency management business and know what the profession is all about. The only two questions that remain, then, are: 1) Will earning an emergency management doctorate help take me to where I want to be in my career? and 2) Is online the best degree format to get me there?

If your plan is to advance to a position in emergency management postsecondary education or academic research, then (as is true for almost all academic disciplines) a doctorate is an absolute must. If you’re seeking to advance into an administrative role with a government agency or private company or organization, then, in many cases, a master’s degree in emergency management or closely related field may suffice. However, if you’re looking toward employment with larger emergency services agencies, particularly on the state and national level, a doctoral degree in emergency management may be needed to set you apart in you job search.

Are PhD/doctorate programs in emergency management fully or partially online?

Both, but it depends on the program. A number of online doctorates in emergency management and online PhD emergency management programs combine online classes with one or more on-campus or other in-person components. Examples include Walden University’s PhD in Criminal Justice with Emergency Management specialization (four short-term residencies) and Jacksonville State University’s Doctor of Science in Emergency Management (week-long on-campus seminar each year of the program). Other programs, like the PhD in Emergency and Protective Services at Capitol Technology University, are offered 100% online with no required campus visits.

Note that every program has its own take on online study, so it’s best to gain a complete understanding of how the format works for any emergency management doctoral program you’re considering before you enroll.

Can I get into an online emergency management PhD/Doctorate program?

That will depend on the program since specific admissions requirements vary. Generally, you’ll find that any online doctorate or PhD in emergency management program you consider will have admissions requirements similar to the following:

• Master’s degree: A master’s degree in emergency management or closely related discipline (criminal justice, homeland security, public safety, etc.), earned from an accredited college or university (or international equivalent) is typically required. Some programs (like the Doctor of Emergency Management at Columbia Southern University) will accept students with a master’s in a non-emergency management major who complete the school’s emergency management graduate-level course as a prerequisite. A minimum cumulative GPA on master’s coursework is also typically required. Minimums vary by program, but 3.0 is common.
• GRE scores: GRE scores are often required. Some programs state a specific minimum score while others do not. And some programs waive GRE scores for students who have met other admissions criteria, such as a higher master’s GPA.
• Professional experience: Experience working in emergency services, public safety, fire services, or a similar agency is required by most programs. Length and type of experience varies.

Can I specialize when earning my PhD/doctorate in emergency management online?

Yes, but you won’t be looking for a specialization or concentration track within an online doctorate or PhD in emergency management program. Instead, you’ll be looking for emergency management specializations or concentrations within a doctoral program in its own specialized field. Confused? Let us explain. The answer is in the program titles. If you’ve looked at the spotlights above and the other programs mentioned in this guide, you’ll notice that emergency management is itself a specialization track for a program in any of several major disciplines. Examples include:

• Criminal Justice: Walden University’s PhD in Criminal Justice with Emergency Management specialization.
• Emergency Services Administration: Oklahoma State University’s PhD in Fire and Emergency Management Administration with Emergency Management Administration track.
• Homeland Security: St. John’s University’s Doctor of Professional Studies in Homeland Security.
• Public Health: The University of Lynchburg’s Doctor of Medical Science with Emergency Management and Global Health concentration and the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s DrPH in Public Health Practice with concentration in Emergency Preparedness.
• Public Policy: The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s PhD in Public Policy with Emergency Management specialization track.
• Public Safety: Middle Georgia State University’s Doctor of Science in Public Safety with Emergency and Disaster Management Track.

What is a dissertation? Is it different from a capstone project?

Nearly all PhD and some non-PhD emergency management doctoral programs culminate with the writing and defense of a dissertation. Others conclude with the completion of a capstone project. It’s critical that you clearly understand the similarities and differences between these two culminating activities before you enroll. Here’s a brief look:

• Research is part of both the dissertation and capstone project. However, a dissertation addresses a topic or issue related to the emergency management field with research that addresses that topic. Capstone projects apply (and sometimes in the process, extend) already-existing research to solve a real-world problem that is the subject of the project.
• The resulting product in a dissertation is the written work which, in most cases, is followed by an in-person defense of the research and writing before the degree program’s dissertation committee. Depending on the specific degree program, the final product of a capstone project may be a written report (most common for emergency management doctorates) or a professional portfolio or product.
• In most cases, the dissertation process requires substantially more time and effort than a typical capstone project.

Specializing Your Emergency Management Doctoral Degree

Prospective students can choose from a surprisingly wide range of program variations for their online PhD or doctorate. Some focus on an emergency management subfield, such as homeland security or disaster medicine, while others take a leadership approach by covering management and administration methods. Keep in mind that emergency management programs can be housed as a specialization within other doctoral programs, such as business administration. Here are a few examples of specializations currently available online:

Criminal Justice

A concentration in criminal justice will give students foundational knowledge in how practices within the justice system affect the safety and well-being of communities. Not only will students gain the leadership and analytical skills necessary to be in administrative roles, but also a background in how emergency management interacts with the legal system. If this path interests you, Walden University offers a PhD in Criminal Justice and Emergency Management.

Cybersecurity Policy and Management

This specialization prepares students to participate in cyber risk management efforts. At the end of this track students will be knowledgeable on coordinating cyber incident responses, creating strategies to prevent cyber-attacks, and improving the digital infrastructure that businesses and government rely on.

Disaster Medicine & Management

Designed for current defense, public safety, and medical professionals seeking skills for responding to the public health and psychological effects of manmade and natural disasters. Similar to the program at the University of Lynchburg, the focus is on how to coordinate medical services during emergencies.

Fire and Emergency Management

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Homeland Security Leadership

This degree provides high-level knowledge and skills in emergency management with an emphasis on community preparation and response to homeland security threats. A good choice for those seeking positions as first-line law enforcement supervisors and medical administrators. For example, Northcentral University offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with a specialization in homeland security leadership and policy.

Making a Career with Your Emergency Management Doctorate

A PhD or doctorate will advance you into leadership positions in the private, public, and academic sectors. Whether you want to be at the director of FEMA, or if you want to become a professor, there are many emergency management career paths to pursue. Below are brief descriptions of three potential jobs you could have with an advanced degree in emergency management.

Emergency Management Director

Emergency management directors are responsible for developing procedures and plans for responding to natural and manmade disasters and emergencies. They may also be called upon to lead response efforts both during and after emergency events. The job outlook is average with a four percent growth rate and a median salary of $83,960 as of May 2023.

Information Security Analysts

Information security analysts maintain firewalls and data encryption programs to protect an organization’s network. They research the latest information technology trends to prepare for potential security breaches. When security breaches do happen, these professionals are responsible for investigating the source of the breach and developing preventative measures. This field is rapidly growing with a projected 33 percent increase in employment between 2023 and 2033. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for this position was $120,360 in 2023.

Postsecondary Teacher

If you are interested in teaching beyond the high school level, then you might consider becoming a postsecondary instructor. As part of this career, you will be expected to develop syllabi that meets college standards, lecture, assess student’s progress, and advise students about which courses to take. If you intend to obtain a tenure position, you must research and publish a certain number of scholarly papers. The median annual pay, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $84,380 in 2023.