25 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management Programs [2024 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on September 24, 2024
If you want an exciting career helping people and making a real difference in the world, consider getting an online Masters in Emergency Management.
This exciting career path can open doors to a galaxy of lucrative and satisfying options for you, and it’s easier than you think to get started.
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Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Founded in 1896, Adelphi University is one of the oldest higher learning institutions in New York. It’s a private university that offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and areas of study include business, science, healthcare, technology, media studies and more.
Students also have the option of enrolling in special programs for dual degrees, joint degrees and accelerated degrees. Further options include studying abroad or participating in pre-college programs as a high schooler.
Adelphi is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The American Public University System is an educational network that includes both the American Military University (AMU) and the American Public University (APU). Degrees are available on the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Most are online.
Despite its name, the APUS is a private university system. It was established in 1991.
APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Founded by nuns in 1946, Anna Maria College is a private university located in Paxton, Massachusetts. Despite its status as a Catholic school, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees for many different subjects. It also has award-winning Division III sports teams.
Classes are available either online or through campus-based instruction.
Anna Maria College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
With more than 90,000 students, Arizona State University is one of the largest colleges in the United States in terms of enrollment. It was founded in 1885 in Tempe, Arizona, but only a small fraction of students attend classes on campus. Most are online.
Both bachelor’s and master’s degrees are available through ASU. So are doctoral programs and professional certifications. ASU is considered a public research university.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Committee.
Founded in 1909, Arkansas State University is a public research university that offers a large assortment of undergraduate and graduate degrees. It boasts more than 100 programs through a dozen schools and colleges, and it also has “A-State Online” for distance learners.
Degrees earned online are identical to ones that are attained on campus.
Arkansas State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
With more than 12,000 students enrolled in both campus- and online-based classes, Arkansas Tech University is one of the largest public colleges in the state. It’s been offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees since its foundation in 1909, and it recently expanded to include PhD programs as well.
Arkansas Tech welcomes both domestic and international students.
Arkansas Tech University is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, Kentucky. It’s a public research university that was founded in 1874, and it’s been helping students obtain undergraduate and graduate degrees since its establishment.
It offers classes on four different campuses and through a large assortment of online degree programs.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Considered an elite school, Georgetown University made it to the U.S. News and World Report’s list of best colleges. It was founded in 1789 as a private research institution and has retained that distinction ever since.
Georgetown offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of academic disciplines. Majors include scientific subjects as well as the arts and humanities.
Georgetown University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Grand Canyon University offers more than 200 degree and certification programs. Founded in 1949, it’s one of the oldest and largest Christian universities in the United States, but it funds plenty of non-religious degree tracks.
Studies can choose from many undergraduate and graduate programs in law, medicine, science, business and even dance. GCU is considered a private university.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Jacksonville State University is a public college that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as certificates and professional training programs.
Founded in 1883, it’s been a staple of Alabama’s higher education system since its inception, and many of its programs meet state-specific requirements for licenses and other important credentials.
Jacksonville State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lander University is a small public university in Greenwood, South California. It has just a little more than 3,000 students enrolled in its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
However, it touts its small class sizes and increased teacher-student engagement as reasons to apply, and it has graduated hundreds of thousands of students since its founding in 1872.
Lander University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Liberty University is one of the largest evangelical Christian schools in the world. Despite its emphasis on religion, it also offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in secular subjects. Online classes are available for distance learners.
LU is a private university that was founded in 1971. Its enrollment is around 110,000 students per year.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Known to locals as “the Ville,” Millersville University was founded in 1855 in southern Pennsylvania. It’s a public research university that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, business, finance, social work, political affairs and more. It also has pre-law and pre-medicine tracks for future professionals.
Another notable feature of the Ville is that it offers internships and international study programs for students who want to round out their degrees.
Millersville University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
National University was founded in 1971 as a private institution. Geared primarily towards adult learners, it offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees through a variety of “non-traditional” programs. For example, it offers online and evening classes as well as self-paced schedules and shorter semesters to accommodate busy students.
Areas of study range from technical and scientific subjects to liberal arts and the humanities.
National University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Founded in 1964, Nova Southeastern University is a private institution that offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a variety of subjects. Students can also earn certificates or prepare for licensure through state-approved programs. There are 18 schools and colleges in total, and they offer hundreds of programs between them.
Classes are available both online and through campus-based instruction.
NSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oklahoma State University was founded in 1890 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It offers more than 300 majors and minors across several different schools, departments and programs.
Degrees are available on both the undergraduate and graduate level. Classes can be taken online or in-person, and hybrid courses are also offered for students who want the flexibility of distance learning with the structure of campus-based semesters.
Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Regent University is a private Christian college that was built in 1977. Though it was originally focused on religious studies, its degree programs have expanded to many secular subjects over the years, and today’s students can major in everything from healthcare to technology.
Programs are available on the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Ranking in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Value Schools list, Southern New Hampshire University is a private university that offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates.
It has a thriving online school with more than 200 programs for distance learners, and it also offers an open enrollment policy where students can gain admission with nothing more than a diploma or GED. SNHU was founded in 1932.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc.
Thomas Jefferson University was originally founded in 1824, but it absorbed the University of Philadelphia in 2017, so it’s a private research institution that is still growing and evolving to this day.
Degrees are available on both the undergraduate and graduate level. “Extras” include online classes, professional certifications and study abroad programs.
Thomas Jefferson University is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is one of the largest online schools in the world. It has an acceptance rate of 100 percent, and it serves more than 900,000 students from dozens of countries.
Students can choose from bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Areas of study range from the technical to the artistic. While the school’s primary focus is on distance learning, it also has a main campus and several satellite campuses in Maryland.
UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Founded in 1869, the University of Nebraska is the oldest institution in the state. It’s considered a public research university, and it offers hundreds of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through almost a dozen departments.
Classes are available online for distance learners or in-person for classroom learners. There are also “hybrid” courses available.
The University of Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of New Haven was founded in Connecticut in 1920. Ranking in the U.S. News and World Report’s Regional Universities North list, it’s a private research university in good standing, and it offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in many different disciplines.
Additional opportunities include clubs, sports teams, internships, semesters abroad and faculty-mentored research programs.
The University of New Haven is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
The University of South Florida has been serving the Tampa area since its foundation in 1956. A public research university, it offers many different undergraduate and graduate programs, including ones in business, healthcare, education, health sciences and emergency services.
Classes are available both online and through campus-based instruction.
USF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Southern California is a private research university that was established in 1880. It offers more than 100 online master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs in fields such as business administration, financial engineering, global supply chain management, software architecture, and education.
The University of Southern California is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
There are plenty of online options that can allow you to get your master’s degree quickly and pursue your new career in emergency management right away. There are plenty of career opportunities at your fingertips.
Essentially, emergency management professionals work with people, municipalities, and the government during times of high national stress like disasters and major emergencies. The best candidates have a high threshold for stress, love working with the public, and are team players. They also should be diplomatic and thick-skinned.
Emergency management professionals need to be able to assess risks accurately and identify severe threats to public safety and health. People who operate in the higher levels of this career field might find themselves delegating medical supplies and managing larger teams on the ground.
You can pursue work at the local, regional, state, or federal level. Although many jobs don’t specifically require a Master’s in Emergency Management, this field is extraordinarily competitive, so if you want to have a leg up on the competition, it’s best to have extensive education.
You should also work on your networking skills, especially if you are looking for work in a more competitive market.
Although all programs vary, there are a few common types of classes that you will most likely take as part of your Masters in Emergency Management coursework.
The most common disciplines are listed below, but there are plenty more to choose from.
Any one of these concentrations comes with its own set of rewards and challenges. To succeed in emergency management and emergency preparedness, you need to be able to deal with stress, put together the big picture, and work well with your colleagues towards a higher goal.
Getting into any online master’s program can be quite competitive, and emergency management is certainly no exception. There are a few things that can help put you ahead of the game, and that you’ll need to get through admissions.
If you want to have a good shot of getting into the school of your choice, make sure you know the admission requirements.
Emergency management is one of the most lucrative and varied careers around. You can do so much with your master’s degree in this particular field, and there is no shortage of well-paying jobs.
Many of the jobs that we have listed here can be had with just a bachelor’s degree, but if you really want to stand out, it’s a good idea to have your Master’s in Emergency Management.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some careers in the emergency management field include:
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| General Operations Manager | $103,650 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $94,240 |
| Management Analyst | $87,660 |
| Budget Analyst | $78,970 |
| Business Operations Specialist | $77,420 |
| Emergency Management Director | $76,250 |
| Community Service Manager | $69,600 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $48,720 |
| Health Educator | $48,140 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,000 |
Of course, these numbers vary depending on how competitive your state or region is, and what the cost of living is, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect after you get your degree.
Regional accreditation is one of the most important things to look for when choosing an online university or college. Accreditation is basically a way for an educational institution to prove that it is credible and has been vetted by a series of professionals or professional organizations.
The U.S. Department of Education also acknowledges accredited universities, and you can easily find out if the college or university that you’re looking at has this stamp of approval. If it does, your education will be much more valuable, and you will have a lot more opportunities after you graduate.
Many high-profile organizations and companies look at accreditation, and will undoubtedly prioritize candidates that have it over those that do not.
When considering what college to attend, take accreditation seriously, and make sure that it is regionally accredited before committing to taking classes. You will not regret taking this essential step.
Proper schooling is fantastic, but you should also make sure that you are networking and joining professional organizations for career opportunities and personal development. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for you in emergency management.
If you are serious about succeeding in this field, you will undoubtedly want to join one or many of these organizations.
There are plenty of financial aid opportunities available for students of all ages and levels. Before embarking on your academic journey, make sure that you properly take advantage of all of the opportunities that are available to you.
You may qualify for federal or state financial aid, and many students prefer to have a mixture of both. Federal and state loans need to be paid back, but grants are yours to keep. Many federal grants are very competitive, so apply early if you want to be considered for one of these.
Depending on your income level, you might qualify for income-based grants as well. You will need to provide documentation detailing your financial circumstances and possibly tax information.
If your skillset and resume are good, and if you have excellent letters of recommendation, you might be eligible for a scholarship to the educational institution of your choice. Like grants, scholarships are very competitive and often require candidates to stand out from the crowd.
There are many financial aid options available, so make sure that you review all of your options and choose the one or ones that work best for you.
There are a plethora of different things that you can do with your degree.
You can work directly with people and communities on initiatives and plans to deal with disasters, work for the Department of Homeland Security to assess risks, or look at catastrophe on a global scale.
You need to get your CEM certification, which requires a bachelor’s degree and a certain amount of work experience or internships.
Each program varies, so make sure that you check your particular one to see what you need.
Your income will vary depending on where you live and what concentration in emergency management you chose to pursue, as well as how much experience you have to begin with.
The median pay is $76,250. Again, it varies by location, concentration, and experience. You can earn anywhere from $42,230 up to $142,870 (Bureau of Labor Statistics) as you work your way up.
The cost of your online Master’s in Emergency Management will vary depending on what school you go to, how many electives you take, and whether or not you have a financial aid package.
You will need at least a four-year degree to work for FEMA, although many coveted positions require you to have much more schooling to qualify.
Management positions in FEMA almost always require master’s degrees, and you should join some professional networking groups if you want to pursue this job path.
Bachelor’s degrees generally take four years, and master’s degrees often take two years to complete. If you’d prefer to complete receive your degree in less time and at a faster pace, accelerated emergency management degree programs would be one of your options.
Ultimately, you can accomplish your degree in more or less time depending on your schedule and other obligations. Many adult learners find that they need extra time to complete their degrees because of work or familial obligations. Your time frame is really up to you.
Getting a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management can be a great way to set yourself up for future success and enhance your education in a meaningful and actionable way.
If you’ve been thinking about getting your Master’s in Emergency Management but haven’t taken the plunge yet, now is the time to consider it. This career field is growing by leaps and bounds, and many candidates feel like it’s a lucrative and smart way to make them more marketable. Some even go on to pursue a PhD in Emergency Management for advanced expertise and leadership roles.
There are plenty of different schools to look at, and you can get financial aid to ease the monetary burden of college. You can also attend classes on your time: a massive benefit to adult learners who need to juggle other obligations.
Why not consider furthering your education today? Applying to schools is easy, and it might just be one of the best decisions that you could make for yourself. Why wait?
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