A master's in emergency management equips students to build and implement emergency response policies and plans for the public and private sectors. Students explore the impacts that disasters have on the environment, communities, and finances, plus how to mitigate damage and recover from these events.
The growing need for well-prepared organizations that offer essential services will likely keep demand up for professionals in this field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% growth for emergency management directors between 2020 and 2030, which is close to the average projected growth rate for all occupations. The median annual salary for these professionals was $76,730 in May 2021.
The positive outlook in this sector may attract prospective students deciding on graduate school. To ensure prospective emergency management students have all the information they need, we put together this guide on the program, process, and outcomes. We also include a ranking of the best online master's in emergency management at the top online schools.
What Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Emergency Management Program?
The standard master's program features 30-45 credits, which takes students 1-2 years to complete. These interdisciplinary programs appeal to students from many undergraduate disciplines, including environmental science, criminal justice, and business. The field also accommodates many career interests, such as those in government, human services, and community services.
A master's in emergency management can look quite different depending on the school and the student's choices. Most programs blend coursework, independent studies, and practical training. Students may choose to complete optional thesis tracks, research-based projects, internships, and other field experiences.
When preparing for graduate school, prospective students should look at the degree types available, the departments running them, and the focus of the program. For example, MA programs may focus more on management, and MS programs may concentrate on scientific and technical aspects of emergency management. Furthermore, programs offered through the criminal justice department have a different emphasis than those offered via social services departments.
Another program consideration is what, if any, specialization to choose, as these can help students point their training in a certain direction. Emergency management is often a specialization within a general management major. Some schools, however, offer more in-depth specializations, such as bachelors in homeland security and bachelors in fire science.
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Best Accredited Online Master's in Emergency Management Programs
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What Courses Will I Take in an Online Master's in Emergency Management Program?
Disaster Risk Management
In this course, students learn to use the primary tools and methods for assessing and analyzing risk for organizations. They learn to identify hazards and vulnerabilities for organizations and communities using data and modeling.
Emergency Management Technology
Students in this course examine the different technologies used in the planning, control, and management of emergency responses. Topics may include designing disaster response and recovery strategies and remote sensors used for hazard identification.
Crisis Communication
This course explores how communication impacts community and organizational responses to emergencies. Students look at how public relations messaging can prepare people for potential emergencies and prevent chaos after they occur.
Emertency Mental Health and Trauma
Students in this course gain insight into how emergencies and trauma impact the mental health or people within communities and organizations. They explore intervention and mitigation strategies to support people, including leading with compassion and understanding.
Social Dimensions of Emergencies
In this course, learners study how emergencies shape social and behavioral dimensions in people and communities. They look at the psychological and social effects, the impacts of preparedness, and the social responses during emergencies.
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What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Master's in Emergency Management Program?
An interdisciplinary field like emergency management can be a fit for students from many undergraduate backgrounds. Applicants typically need a bachelor's degree at minimum for entry. They must also meet any specific GPA requirements, which vary by school and program. This discipline does not usually require specific prerequisite courses or degrees.
Here, we explore the standard graduate admission requirements for an online master's in emergency management.
Application
The application requirements differ for every program, but the following components are some of the most common. Unlike undergraduates, who often use college application systems to streamline the application process, graduate applicants usually apply directly to each prospective school. Most graduate schools use an online system to simplify and expedite the process.
Test Scores
Schools may request standardized test scores to help them better distinguish between applicants. Graduate programs use the GMAT and GRE, for which students can prepare by taking GMAT and GRE prep courses. While schools may offer waivers for these tests, candidates can usually still submit their scores for consideration.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation provide schools with insight on applicants from professionals who know them and have seen them work. These letters usually point out an applicant's strengths and potential. Prospective students typically ask former teachers or employers from relevant fields to recommend them.
Resume and Work Experience
While programs rarely require professional experience for entry into the emergency management discipline, it can improve an applicant's chances. In most cases, the college application resume serves to provide more information on the candidate and highlight their professional skills.
Essays
The grad school essay serves many functions, including providing information about an applicant and highlighting their writing abilities. Schools and programs may pose specific questions that students need to answer in their writing. They may also allow candidates to discuss their academic and professional interests and goals.
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts are included in every graduate school application. They showcase the applicant's previous training, including undergraduate courses and grades. Not only do these records help schools admit qualified students, but they also help them identify prerequisites and transfer credits for transfer students.
What Can I Do With an Online Master's in Emergency Management Degree?
Career Outlook
Emergency management graduates have diverse skillsets that allow them to impact organizations, government policies, law enforcement processes, and community programs. They can pursue careers in each of these sectors, plus public health and education.
The BLS projects the addition of about 700 new emergency management director jobs between 2020 and 2030. Graduates can also apply for management analyst and community service management positions, sectors the BLS projects will add nearly 125,000 and over 26,000 jobs, respectively, before the end of the decade.
Salaries depend on a professional's chosen field, years of experience, and location. Yet, many of the professions accessible to graduates in this discipline paid above-average salaries in May 2021. Emergency management directors, for example, made over $30,000 higher than the median annual wage for all occupations, according to the BLS.
Career Paths
Emergency Management Director
Emergency management directors oversee the large-scale planning and preparation for emergencies and disasters. They coordinate with public officials, protective services, and communities to ensure everyone understands the processes and operations that will take place. They also take charge of the budgeting and supplies needed to respond to these events.
Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $76,730
Management Analyst
Management analysts provide advice and assistance to organizations and managers in specific areas. Those involved with emergency management develop strategies and protocols for organizations to follow in the event of an emergency. They may assess and evaluate current practices and provide reports and recommendations based on their findings.
Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $93,000
Community and Social Services Manager
These professionals develop and manage community and social service programs and organizations. They oversee the financing and budgeting for these organizations, hire and train staff members, and create plans and proposals for government approvals. In the emergency management sphere, these managers may run programs that offer resources and support to places and communities in need.
Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $74,000
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists study the environment by observing it, collecting samples, and tracking any changes over time. Those focused on emergency management may present their findings to governments and organizations in order to prepare them for any upcoming disasters or emergencies. Environmental scientists usually have an undergraduate science background.
Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $76,530
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Specialist
These professionals help organizations prepare for potential disasters to ensure their data and operations are protected. They conduct the necessary testing and implement safeguards and backups to prevent wholesale loss. In the case of an emergency, these specialists help during the recovery process and get organizations back up and running.
Average Annual Salary (January 2022): $76,740
Continuing Education
An interdisciplinary program, like a master's in emergency management, can take students in many different directions, both professionally and educationally. The most direct route is a doctorate in emergency management, though a doctorate in criminal justice and a doctorate in public administration are also options.
Graduates might also pursue more specialized degrees, such as a doctorate in organizational leadership or a doctorate in public health. For those who want to work with a specific law enforcement agency, an academy training program is usually required.
How Do I Choose an Online Master's in Emergency Management Program?
Cost
The cost of an education typically ranks high on a prospective student's list of considerations. Candidates may want to look at the differences between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates and public and private school costs. When comparing online and on-campus programs, prospective students should look at the true program cost, which considers lost income due to studies.
Program Format
Prospective learners should give plenty of consideration to program format to ensure they find the most suitable delivery methods and schedules possible. They may, for example, want to look at the pros and cons of synchronous and asynchronous programs and full-time and part-time programs.
Location
No matter what they decide on between online or on-campus studies, prospective students should think about location. For on-campus students, the right school location is somewhere learners can travel to several times each week throughout the year. For online learners, location might come into play when it comes to tuition rates, residency requirements, or facility access.
Accreditation
All prospective learners need to ensure their school has the necessary online college accreditation. Institutional accreditation ensures a college or university meets certain educational standards. It can impact financial aid, employment, future training, and transfer credits. Programmatic accreditation is optional in the emergency management discipline but may provide students with additional assurances.
Student Support
Schools provide various student services for on-campus learners and online student services to help degree-seekers navigate through their studies. Offerings like tutoring, career support, mentorship programs, and wellness services assist learners outside of the classroom. In-program college internships can also offer support for learners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Emergency Management Programs
Is a master's in emergency management worth it?
Yes. While every student has their own perception of value, an online master's in emergency management offers plenty of benefits to graduates. The training positions graduates to help organizations, communities, and individuals during emergencies. It also leads to many professional opportunities and options.
Students in this discipline can benefit from the value of an online degree as well. They have access to more schools and programs than on-campus learners and their scheduling options are more flexible and accommodating. Those who need to maintain employment during their studies might find online learning the only realistic option.
What can I do with a master's in emergency management?
With a master's in emergency management, graduates can take many different paths. One of the most straightforward options includes entering the criminal justice career field in a position that plans for large-scale emergencies, such as with homeland security. Graduates might also focus on emergencies in the public health or business spheres.
They can also continue their training in these areas, pursuing doctorates in emergency management, criminal justice, or business management. More advanced training in these disciplines can lead to careers in teaching and research and development.
Are emergency management graduates in demand?
Yes. Emergency management graduates are in demand in several industries. The BLS projects 6% growth for emergency management directors, translating to about 700 new jobs 2020 and 2030. The BLS also projects 14% growth for management analysts and 15% growth for community service managers during that time.
The BLS projects 8% growth in the protective services field as well, with an addition of more than 285,000 positions between 2020 and 2030. Graduates with emergency management training can apply their training to many of the occupations within this sector.
How much money can I make with a master's in emergency management?
Wages for professionals in the emergency management field depend on an individual's position, experience, and location. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for emergency management directors was $76,730 in May 2021. The top 10% of professionals earned more than $133,580 per year.
The industry a person worked in also impacted their median annual salary in May 2021. Those in the professional services industry made $125,930 per year, according to the BLS. Meanwhile, hospitals paid $94,310, college and universities paid $79,720, local governments paid $75,670, and state governments paid $69,450.
What are the highest paying jobs with a master's in emergency management?
The highest-paying jobs for graduates in this discipline are in the management analysis field. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for management analysts was $93,000 in May 2021. Those in the top 10% of earners earned a median annual wage of more than $163,760.
An analyst's industry can make a big difference in what they earn. For example, the professional and technical services field paid median annual salaries of $100,170, enterprise management paid $96,940, finance and insurance paid $83,050, and the government paid $81,090, according to the BLS.
Image Source: SDI Productions, Getty ImagesResources for Emergency Management Graduate Students
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Before starting graduate school, fill out the FAFSA to determine your aid eligibility. Eligible students may qualify for federally backed loans, grants, and work-study opportunities. Your age and work experience do not affect your aid eligibility.
FEMA Careers
FEMA employs thousands of emergency management professionals. On the FEMA Careers website, learn about open positions, post-graduate internships, fellowships, and volunteering opportunities. Many FEMA employees begin their careers as interns or fellows.
World Health Organization
The United Nations' WHO assists nations undergoing humanitarian crises. On the WHO website, learn more about careers in international disaster management and the latest issues facing vulnerable countries.
American Red Cross
Along with promoting blood donation, the American Red Cross provides relief when natural disasters strike. In addition to job openings, visitors can learn more about emergency management issues in their home communities.
Emergency Management Institute
An extension of FEMA, EMI offers training courses for emergency managers. Completing one or more EMI training programs can increase your job competitiveness or raise your salary potential. Graduate students may begin EMI coursework before finishing their master's programs.
Professional Organizations in Emergency Management
Emergency managers join one or more professional organizations that represent their profession's employees and institutions. Although most organizations charge an annual fee, membership provides a host of benefits such as job boards, insurance, and professional development opportunities. Most importantly, these organizations allow members to network and build valuable relationships. Also, many of them allow undergraduate and graduate students to join. During your graduate education, consider joining a couple of organizations that match your interests and career goals.
