Online Master's Degrees in Emergency Management: Finding Your School

Unpacking Online Emergency Management Master’s Education

The online masters in emergency management gives students with a broad base of practical knowledge and skills (organization, administration, communication, etc.). Students learn how to effectively manage teams to prepare for and respond to emergency and disaster events of all types and sizes. Additionally, students are often able to tailor their academic work to focus on specific emergency management subfields like cybersecurity, criminal justice, or public health.

Most of these programs, regardless of specialization track, can be completed entirely online. However, some programs may require in-person internships to allow you to build your professional network. Keep reading for a more detailed look at some of the key components and features you can expect to find in any online emergency management master’s program you consider.

Responding to Common Questions from Students

What are the admission requirements for online master’s degrees in emergency and disaster management?

Specific admissions requirements for online master’s emergency management programs vary from school to school. To be admitted to most programs, however, you’ll likely need to meet the following criteria: prior college education, minimum GPA of 3.0, professional experience, and GRE scores. However, submittal of a standardized test score is preferred by some programs but is rarely required.

Almost all programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s or higher-level degree from a properly accredited college, typically in a major related to the emergency management field. Examples of these majors include criminal justice, criminology, fire service management, public administration, public health, and public service. Current employment or prior professional experience in emergency management or a closely-related field is also often required.

How much do master’s in emergency management cost?

Like other degrees, the range of tuition costs for online emergency management master’s degrees is quite broad. For example, the program at Southern New Hampshire University has a total tuition cost of $22,932 whereas the University of New Haven has a total tuition cost of $39,312. Therefore, you can expect to pay around $20,000 to $40,000 for total tuition cost. These prices include cost per credit as well as school fees.

If this range seems steep, keep in mind that this is the cost before financial aid is awarded. In fact, there are many emergency management specific scholarships for students looking to pursue a career in this field.

What can I do with a master’s in emergency management?

When it comes to careers in the emergency management field, diversity is the key word. Positions in emergency management – ones with good pay and real growth potential – exist at agencies on all levels of government, including federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Jobs are also available in private industry and with nonprofit organizations. Dozens of nonprofits involved in disaster prevention and response employ emergency management professionals, including familiar names like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Save the Children, and the United Way.

What are the graduation requirements for master’s in emergency management students?

No two online emergency management master’s programs are exactly alike, and graduation requirements vary from program to program. Nevertheless, most programs include graduation requirements similar to the following:

• Didactic Coursework/Advancement to Candidacy: Students must complete all required pre-candidacy didactic coursework, typically with a stated minimum GPA (3.0 is common).
• Internship: Programs often require an in-the-field internship to provide students with hands-on experience working with actual emergency managers in real-life professional settings.
• Culminating Project/Exam: Most programs require students to complete a culminating project, such as a thesis, practicum, or capstone project. Projects are usually presented by the student to a faculty committee for evaluation. Some programs offer a comprehensive examination option in lieu of a culminating project.

What is the difference between an online and in-person emergency management master’s program?

Convenience and flexibility are the hallmarks of an online college degree program. However, some majors are more adaptable to online study than others. Emergency management is a particularly good fit for distance learning. In fact, many master’s degree programs are available in a 100 percent online format.

Alternatively, some emergency management master’s programs are available in a hybrid format, meaning that the program consists of a combination of distance learning and traditional program elements. For example, Jefferson University’s predominantly online MS in Disaster Medicine & Management program requires participation in two courses during a six-and-a-half day summer on-campus session. Also, many online programs include a mandated or optional internship which is typically completed in an off-campus emergency management setting.

Specialization Tracks for Online Emergency Management Programs

Prospective students can choose from a surprisingly wide range of program variations for their online masters in emergency management. Some focus on an emergency management subfield, such as homeland security or disaster relief, while others take a more rounded approach, covering subfields equally. In rare cases, emergency management programs can be housed as a specialization within other master’s programs, such as public health. Here are a few examples of degree titles for emergency management master’s degrees currently available online:

Emergency Management

The foundational degree in emergency management takes a holistic approach to the preparation for and response to emergency and disaster events of all kinds. A good choice for those in law enforcement, public service, and similar professions seeking advancement into supervisory positions.

Emergency Management & Homeland Security

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.

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.

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. Arizonia State University’s emergency management master’s program offers a cybersecurity concentration that prepares students for careers as information security analysts and security operations managers.

Biosecurity and Threat Management

If you have a background in biology, chemistry, veterinary science, or any of the natural sciences, then a specialization in biosecurity would allow you to build on these skills. These programs integrate public health and homeland security to protect people, animals, and plants from man-made and natural disasters. The courses will prepare you to mitigate biological threats, guide recovery efforts, and develop response plans.

Typical Curriculum for Online Emergency Management Programs

Emergency management master’s curriculums consist of required core subject classes, as well as elective courses that allow students to explore unique emergency management topics, they’re most interested in. Below are descriptions of core subject courses similar to those you’ll encounter as an emergency management master’s degree student.

Foundations in Emergency Management

This course explores the various types of disaster events and the core concepts of risk assessment and disaster prevention/management. Specific topics covered include the phases of disasters, ethical issues of disaster response, dealing with the media, and how to handle disruptions to public services resulting from emergency and disaster incidents.

Geographic Information Systems for Emergency Management

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are playing a greater role in emergency and disaster management, and students need to know how to use GIS equipment and software in the field. This course covers the concepts and capacities of GIS systems, along with basic skills for operating GIS applications in emergency situations.

Hazard Economics

Students are presented with a comprehensive examination of the costs involved in responding to and dealing with hazardous events, both manmade and natural. A wide range of topics are covered including the financial costs of specific types of hazards, the role of insurance, the influence of climate change, and the moral issues surrounding decisions about the use of disaster response funds.

Leadership and Organizational Behavior for Emergency Preparedness

Emergency managers are required to deal with behavioral issues concerning their organization’s systems and personnel on a daily basis. This course takes a look at leadership theories used in emergency preparedness, including conflict management and group dynamics, and how to properly use the power that comes with one’s position and authority.

Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Emergency Management

This course teaches students how to conduct, collect and analyze data that can be used to inform critical emergency management decisions. Included is a discussion of the ethical issues that must be considered with conducting research.

Potential Careers for Emergency Management Master’s Grads

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.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are scientists in the public health field that are involved in the causes and patterns of injury and disease in human beings. They work to reduce the occurrences and risks associated with those injuries and diseases through research, policy development, and community education and outreach. This field is rapidly growing with a projected growth rate of 19 percent between 2023 to 2033. With the high demand for epidemiologists, the median annual pay as of 2023 was $81,390 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives

First-line supervisors of police and detectives supervise and coordinate criminal investigations, including those involving emergencies and disaster events. First-line supervisors are employed by police departments and law enforcement agencies on all (local, regional, state, and federal) government levels. As of 2023 police supervisors and detectives made an annual salary of $101,750. This career is projected to grow by three to five percent in the next ten years, which aligns with the average growth rate of most professions.

The Leading Online Emergency Management Master’s Programs

Finding the right program to meet your needs can be confusing and time-consuming with so many options. An excellent place to start your search is STEPS’s list of the top online emergency management master’s degree programs. Selections were made based on our review of several key program components, including accreditation, online program availability, affordability, and student support services. Online availability and overall affordability play a substantial role in a school’s position. See which schools rose to the top of this year’s list.