Online Emergency Management Degree Programs

Emergency management is also known as or disaster management It is the discipline that focuses on dealing with and avoiding risks. This includes preparing for disasters before they happen, disaster response (for example emergency evacuation, quarantine, and mass decontamination), and support, and rebuilding after human-made and natural disasters occur. Emergency management online degree programs prepare personnel to deal with natural and man-made disasters. The goal of emergency management masters degrees is to train personnel to quickly and efficiently react and respond in potentially dangerous and harmful circumstances. Disaster management professionals are responding to situations like fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, chemical spills, chemical explosions, criminal and terrorist attacks, and other situations. In many cases they might be responsible for evacuating residents to safe ground or providing alternative planning to ensure safety.

Online Emergency Management Degree Programs

Capella University - Online

• BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
• MS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
• PhD in Public Safety - Emergency Management

Walden University

• MS in Psychology - Crisis Management and Response
• MS in Psychology - Terrorism and Security
• PhD in Public Policy and Administration - Public Safety Management

Strayer University

• B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Kaplan University

• AAS in Fire Science
• Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Fire Science
• Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Fire and Emergency Management

Grand Canyon University

• Bachelor Degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management

Eastern Kentucky University

• Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology

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Emergency Management Courses and Training

Emergency management education and emergency management courses vary depending on the specializations, but in many cases students may be required to take classes in first aid and CPR as well as courses related to health care, financial management and budgeting, and human resources management.

Online emergency management certificate courses may include emergency planning, risk assessment, counseling and psychology, and crisis management. The skills that you would learn in online emergency management degree programs are:

• Organization of people, information, and resources
• Crisis management
• Public relations
• Disaster management
• Disaster communication
• Situation and risk analysis
• Leadership ability
• Leadership development
• Strategic planning

Emergency Management Careers

For the most part, careers in emergency and disaster management are government jobs, including federal, local, and state governments. There are however some private sector emergency management careers as well as opportunities in non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations.

In both environments, jobs can include working in law enforcement, criminal justice, fire fighting, homeland security, border patrol, human services, and social services. Those with a masters in emergency management or a emergency management PhD often work in supervisory roles. Related degree programs may include having a disaster management PhD or a disaster management masters degree to work in administrative roles.

Some federal agencies where personnel with an online emergency management degree work include homeland security, environmental protection, and occupational safety. Roles may include developing public policy, public administration, emergency medial relief, and other roles. Other areas of employment are non-profit agencies, volunteer organizations, schools, and hospitals.

With an advanced degree, graduates of emergency management programs can hold positions like risk management expert, risk analysis expert, emergency program manager, emergency program director, emergency operations center chief, director of security, emergency preparedness instructor, hospital coordinator, and technical training supervisors.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that emergency management specialists earn about $49,000. The job growth in this sector is expected to continue grow. In addition, the BLS expects to see job growth about equal to the national rate of growth.

The highest paying jobs in with campus and online emergency management degree programs are in electric power generation, transmission and distribution industries with a median annual salary of about $74,000. As per the United States Bureau of Labor Statistic, the mean annual income for emergency management specialists in 2009 was $56,900. Other income levels in the field average as follows:

• Waste management - $66,5000
• Fabricated metal production - $68,000
• Scientific research and development- $65,5000

A campus or online emergency management degree will continue to be important as a means to entering a career that continues to experience a need to have qualified personnel.