Best Online Emergency Management Degrees

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A ranking of the most affordable online emergency management degrees. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

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Pursing an Affordable Emergency Management Degree

People interested in saving lives and protecting the safety of millions should consider a degree in emergency management. The field commonly involves four areas of disaster relief work including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. 

Professionals in the field aim to prevent and respond to both natural and man-made disasters. They may work as emergency management directors, firefighters, or community health workers. Prospective students seeking to make a difference may enjoy pursuing a degree in emergency management. 

On this page, we cover career and salary information and emergency management program requirements. We also provide our list of the top online emergency management degrees.

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Accredited Online Emergency Management Programs

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What Can You Do With a Degree in Emergency Management?

An online degree in emergency management prepares learners to work in all aspects of disaster response. They might work in cybersecurity, firefighting, law enforcement, health services, or first response. With a bachelor's degree in emergency management, graduates can also go on to earn a master’s degree in a related area, or in public affairs.

Graduates work for both public and private organizations. This might include nonprofit, federal, or state institutions, such as FEMA, the American Red Cross, the National Guard, or the Department of Homeland Security.

What Kind of Emergency Management Degree Should You Get?

Students should look for a broad emergency management program. In these programs, learners can select a concentration in specialties of interest, such as homeland security or firefighting. These specializations help tailor their studies to their career goals.

Busy students or those who plan to continue working while earning their degree may benefit from an online program. An online emergency management degree gives students flexibility. They can complete their studies around other responsibilities without relocating.

Students looking for other affordable online degrees can browse our list of the most affordable online schools.

How Much Money Do People Make With an Emergency Management Degree?

Salary for graduates with emergency management degrees varies by job, employer, and location. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), emergency management directors earn a median annual salary of $76,250. The BLS projects jobs for these professionals to grow 6% from 2020-2030, about as fast as average.

Graduates can also work as firefighters and earn a median salary of $52,500 per year. Emergency management degree-holders can also pursue cybersecurity careers. They may work as information security analysts to protect organizations' computer networks from security breaches. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $103,590.

What Are the Requirements for a Degree in Emergency Management?

Most bachelor's degrees in emergency management require at least 120 credits. However, this varies by institution, as many provide prior learning credit for past work, military, or educational experiences. Through their coursework, students receive training in topics such as leadership, communication, and disaster response.

While enrolled in undergraduate studies, most students must take general education courses. These courses may include expository writing and college algebra. Students also complete coursework in emergency management and classes related to their chosen specialty area.

A broad, interdisciplinary mindset benefits applicants to online emergency management degrees. Students also need strong communication skills and a passion to serve the needs of society.

Featured Online Management Programs

Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.

What Are the Best Emergency Management Degrees?

The best online programs in emergency management tailor their curricula to busy working students. Many schools offer quality, asynchronous online programs that allow students to complete coursework at their convenience.

Most Affordable Online Emergency Management Degrees 2022

See our rankings methodology page.

#1 Best Online Emergency Management Degrees

Bellevue University

  • Bellevue, NE
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Looking for a flexible education that prepares you for the emergency management field? Consider Bellevue University’s online bachelor of science in emergency management. The 11,008 distance learners at the private college choose from 54 premier online bachelor's programs.

The bachelor's program gives students the tools they need for success in a future emergency management career. The curriculum includes a variety of coursework, giving enrollees broad knowledge of both foundational and advanced emergency management topics. If it makes sense for their career aspirations, degree-seekers can complete hands-on learning experiences to strengthen the knowledge they gain from the program. Industry-specific research projects, internships, and externships impart valuable knowledge to learners. Throughout the degree, students can get guidance from their academic advisor and career counselor.

Applicants who qualify can bring down the price of their degree with internal and external funding opportunities like scholarships and fellowships. An online education leader, the college connects degree-seekers with financial aid to support their academic journey, awarding aid to 84% of all enrollees.

Average Tuition
In-state
$7,176
Out-of-state
$7,176
Retention Rate
78%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
11,637
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
95% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#2 Best Online Emergency Management Degrees

Utah Valley University

  • Orem, UT
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

All kinds of degree-seekers choose Utah Valley University because the public institution offers learning opportunities with a great deal of flexibility. Virtual learners nationwide select from nine remote bachelor's programs at the Orem, Utah school. Of these, the top-ranking bachelor of science in emergency services administration attracts people interested in a emergency management-related career.

The program features premier faculty members and a tight-knit learning community to support students. The remote classroom environment lets degree-seekers do coursework and projects relevant to their personal and professional goals. Some learners get involved with faculty-led research, internships, or externships. Enrollees customize their academic experience by working with an advisor to choose electives and an individualized plan of study.

Since education can be costly, the college offers a variety of internal and external funding opportunities. Different types of financial assistance, like fellowships and scholarships, benefit students who qualify for them. Of all the college's enrollees, 74% get some kind of financial assistance to help lower educational expenses.

Average Tuition
In-state
$5,122
Out-of-state
$15,872
Retention Rate
65%
Admission Rate
Not provided
Students Enrolled
41,728
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
32% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

#3 Best Online Emergency Management Degrees

West Texas A&M University

  • Canyon, TX
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Its flexibility makes the bachelor of applied arts and sciences in emergency management administration at West Texas A&M University a good choice for many people seeking an online education in emergency management. A total of 5,886 online degree-seekers receive an industry-relevant education from the public institution, choosing from 10 remote bachelor's programs. The college offers institutional resources from its Canyon campus that benefit its online learners, including a supportive remote learning community.

Students gain industry knowledge through interactive classes. The curriculum includes general education and advanced topics, with the opportunity to customize courses and pick electives. Hands-on experiential opportunities let enrollees supplement their classroom learning. Getting first-hand experience of working in the field is possible for degree-seekers who complete research, internships, or externships.

Prospective applicants can learn about enrollment criteria by talking to the admissions office. Some form of financial aid is awarded to 90% of all enrollees, so students should check with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities. Learners who meet the proper criteria can bring down degree expenses with scholarships, fellowships, and other types of financial aid.

Average Tuition
In-state
$5,554
Out-of-state
$6,960
Retention Rate
68%
Admission Rate
69%
Students Enrolled
9,970
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
59% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#4 Best Online Emergency Management Degrees

Arkansas State University-Main Campus

  • Jonesboro, AR
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

For individuals seeking a flexible education to prepare them for the emergency management field, the bachelor of science in disaster preparedness and emergency management at Arkansas State University is a great choice. The public college provides a premier education to 7,939 remote learners and offers 10 bachelor's programs virtually.

The bachelor of science in disaster preparedness and emergency management gives students the tools needed for a successful career in emergency management. The curriculum includes a variety of coursework, giving enrollees broad knowledge of both foundational and advanced emergency management topics. Depending on their career aspirations, degree-seekers can complete hands-on learning experiences to increase their industry knowledge. Students gain many benefits from internships, externships, and applied research projects. During the degree, participants can talk to their academic advisor and career counselor to receive guidance.

Scholarships, fellowships, and other internal and external funding opportunities help applicants decrease their educational expenses. The college supports degree-seekers in their educational journey with financial assistance, providing aid to 97% of its enrollees.

Average Tuition
In-state
$6,540
Out-of-state
$13,500
Retention Rate
75%
Admission Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
13,356
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
59% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Higher Learning Commission

#5 Best Online Emergency Management Degrees

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

  • Canton, NY
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Many people looking for a flexible virtual education in emergency management find the bachelor of science in emergency management at SUNY College of Technology at Canton to be a great option. The 12 industry-relevant online bachelor's programs at the public institution educate 2,072 remote degree-seekers. A supportive virtual community and other institutional resources benefit distance learners at the Canton, New York, college.

Emergency management students gain industry knowledge through interactive classes. General education and advanced courses make up the emergency management curriculum, which also allows for modifying classes and choosing electives. Experiential learning opportunities supplement enrollee's academic experiences. Degree-seekers gain first-hand knowledge of what it's like working in the emergency management field by completing research, internships, and externships.

The admissions office can tell applicants more about the eligibility requirements for enrollment. Financial aid is awarded to 95% of all enrollees, so students should meet with the financial aid office to see if they qualify. Funding opportunities, such as scholarships and fellowships, help qualified learners decrease their educational expenses.

Average Tuition
In-state
$7,070
Out-of-state
$13,534
Retention Rate
70%
Admission Rate
85%
Students Enrolled
3,223
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
64% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

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