Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs

Discover the top online emergency management degree programs for a fulfilling and impactful career in this high-demand field. Check out our guide to learn more.
Danika Miller
By
Edited by
Updated December 18, 2024
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Emergency management presents the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in communities by ensuring public safety and improving disaster resilience — a significant motivator for many in this field.

Whether you’re looking to start a career in emergency management or advance your current role, earning a degree in this field can help you get started on your goals.

Online degree programs offer a flexible and convenient option for individuals who may be working or have other commitments. We’ll explore the best online emergency management degree programs and why a degree can be a valuable investment in your future.

Featured Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Best Emergency Management Programs

#1

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, CO4 yearCampus + Online

$3,574

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,662

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

35%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

12,759

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,574

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,662

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, CO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,574

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,662

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

35%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

12,759

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Immaculata University

Immaculata, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$26,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

44%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,780

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,780

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

2,479

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,500

Immaculata, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,500

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,500

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

44%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,780

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$12,780

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

2,479

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

$6,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

1,326

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,288

Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies

Springfield, MO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,288

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$6,288

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

1,326

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK4 yearCampus + Online

$6,962

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$22,980

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,414

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,904

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

7,179

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,962

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,980

Fairbanks, AK4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,962

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,980

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,414

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,904

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

7,179

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Adelphi University

Garden City, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$38,470

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,470

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

74%

Acceptance Rate

21%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$41,920

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,920

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

7,991

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,470

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,470

Garden City, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,470

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,470

Acceptance Rate

74%

Online Enrollment

21%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$41,920

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,920

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

7,991

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$1,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,375

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,437

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

1,769

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$1,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,000

Elizabeth City, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$1,000

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$5,000

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$3,375

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,437

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

1,769

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

Barry University

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$29,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

51%

Acceptance Rate

16%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,820

Retention Rate

65%

Students Enrolled

7,401

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,700

Miami, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,700

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,700

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment

16%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,820

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,820

Retention Rate

65%

Students Enrolled

7,401

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#8

Bethel University

McKenzie, TN4 yearCampus + Online

$10,188

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,188

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

51%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,034

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,034

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

3,119

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,188

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,188

McKenzie, TN4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,188

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,188

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

51%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,034

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,034

Retention Rate

62%

Students Enrolled

3,119

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#9

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY4 yearCampus + Online

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,534

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

3,223

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,534

Canton, NY4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,070

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,534

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

64%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

3,223

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Ohio Christian University

Circleville, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$13,533

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,533

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,765

Retention Rate

61%

Students Enrolled

2,843

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,533

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,533

Circleville, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,533

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,533

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

84%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,765

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,765

Retention Rate

61%

Students Enrolled

2,843

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Why Pursue a Degree in Emergency Management?

Are you considering a career that combines excitement, challenge, and a genuine opportunity to make a difference in your community? A degree in emergency management could be your ticket to such a fulfilling profession.

The field of emergency management is in high demand due to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters and climate catastrophes. As an emergency management professional, you’ll likely enjoy job security and a wide array of career paths.

You could become an emergency management director, an emergency preparedness coordinator, a disaster recovery specialist, or a hazard mitigation specialist.

The field also offers ample career advancement opportunities, including leadership roles and specialization in areas like natural disasters, public health emergencies, or cyber threats.

Additionally, the dynamic and challenging work environment requires quick responses to evolving threats and effective collaboration with multiple stakeholders, making it a rewarding and fulfilling career. Overall, a degree in emergency management equips professionals with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in a critical and impactful career.

What Do You Learn in an Emergency Management Degree Program?

An emergency management degree program combines rigorous academic study with practical training on the four main phases of disaster relief work: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

You’ll take courses like:

  • Hazard mitigation and preparedness
  • Disaster response and recovery
  • Emergency preparedness and planning
  • Political and policy basis of emergency management
  • Principles of hazards mitigation
  • Public administration
  • Urban management
  • Geographic information system (GIS) technology

Hands-on experiences through simulations and field exercises will further equip you to manage real-world crises with precision and agility.

You’ll also gain essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, leadership, and problem-solving, preparing you to anticipate, mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from a variety of emergencies.

What Can You Do With an Emergency Management Degree?

With an emergency management degree, you’ll be equipped to pursue a variety of career paths, each with distinct job responsibilities.

Career options include emergency management specialist, emergency management technician, emergency medical services (EMS) worker, firefighter, law enforcement officer, homeland security professional, public safety officer, disaster recovery manager, public information officer, safety coordinator, and emergency preparedness coordinator.

These roles vary in their focus, from immediate response and medical care to long-term recovery and safety planning.

6 Careers in Emergency Management
JobMedian Annual Salary (2023)Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
Community Health Workers$48,20013%
Emergency Management Directors$83,9604%
Firefighters$57,1204%
Police and Detectives$74,9104%
Project Management Specialists$103,6107%
Social and Community Service Managers$77,0308%
Source: BLS

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Management Programs

A bachelor’s degree in emergency management usually requires four years of full-time study. However, there are accelerated programs available that allow students to complete their bachelor’s degrees in three years or less.

For master’s degrees in emergency management, the standard duration is two years, but some accelerated programs can be completed in as little as one year with intensive study.

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