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What Does a Career in Emergency Management Entail?
A career or bachelor's in emergency management is unlike most careers; rather than the bottom line, the goals are public safety services and protecting lives. The field involves a commitment to the safety and well-being of others. Emergency management requires a willingness to work in the extremes of stress and to constantly address threats to public safety that come from natural disasters and man-made issues across the United States. This includes policies designed to control the public response to severe events that disrupt communities and put lives and safety at risk.
Emergency management is a vital public concern in the U.S. and in most nations around the world. Climate change and other natural influences have made some risks more severe. Storms can cause flooding and loss of water and electricity. Hurricanes can devastate areas and cause coastal flooding. Wildfires can consume thousands of acres of forest and destroy entire communities. These and other severe events are the subjects of emergency management programs and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery policy make up much of the content of the academics for each course in an associate or bachelor's in emergency management program, whether they are on-campus or online. These will give you the knowledge and skill to prepare everything that is required ahead of time in case of an emergency at a specific site or in a city and teach you how to develop a plan to manage emergency services using critical thinking and risk assessment.
There are a wide variety of jobs and career paths in the field of emergency management. The federal, state, and local governments maintain various levels of emergency response capability, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, both of which hold some responsibility for emergency and disaster management, response, and recovery. The private sector also offers opportunities for emergency management careers. Emergency management professionals address natural disasters and emergency medical events that can occur with little warning, and the potential for human-made catastrophes such as terror attacks. The goals are to protect life, promote safety, and preserve essential infrastructure along with mitigation preparedness, response, and controlling the situation.
How to Earn a Degree in Emergency Management
The entry-level online degree is an associate of applied science in emergency management or another related associate degree program catering to emergency management students. Applicants can use the associate degree and practical experience to enter the field and compete for positions. The online bachelor’s degree is the level of education that opens a wider range of jobs and career opportunities. In competitive jobs and geographic regions with high competition, employers seek candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree. A master’s in emergency management program will position graduates for leadership positions, educational roles, and senior-level responsibility.
Students can study at an accredited school, college, or university. Today, students have the option of completing online programs while they maintain other employment, business, or family obligations that might prevent full-time on-campus attendance. However, online options can provide you with the fexibility you need to gain the education you want.
Typical Emergency Management Degree Requirements
Associate emergency management programs require a high school diploma or GED. The 60-hour curriculum has equal parts of general education and emergency management-related coursework. An online bachelor’s degree program also requires a diploma or GED and is comprised of 120 credit hours. In order to complete a master’s degree, you will need to have a bachelor's in emergency management already and then complete another 60 credit hours.
Typical Emergency Management Certifications Needed
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a public facing agency called the Emergency Management Institute. EMI offers self-paced educational opportunities. Among other educational activities, the EMI provides certifications for Emergency Management professionals. The Professional Development Series awards certifications. The International Association of Emergency Managers also offers certifications. These are voluntary certifications that boost the holder’s credentials.
Academic Standards for Emergency Management Degrees
FEMA and the EMI have issued standards for emergency management education. Many parts of the emergency management field occur in other disciplines such as engineering, management, and cartography. Currently, accredited universities and schools set their criteria. The Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management Education (CAEME) works with special institutions and non-traditional schools to support high-quality emergency management training.
Exam/Experience Needed for Emergency Management Degrees
There are no standard exams for entry into the emergency management field. However, some jobs may require or request certification. To the extent that a professional holds an emergency management position, they must meet the standards set for the profession they reside over, such as medical doctors, engineers, and finance professionals.
Experience is a critical factor. Employers in the fields involved in emergency management show a strong preference for experience at all levels. Students and recent graduates, especially those earning their degree online, can have a competitive advantage by taking part in clinical exercises or hands-on projects. Applicants seeking to enter the profession with an online associate degree can raise their profile with volunteer work such as firefighting or emergency management associations.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn an Emergency Management bachelor's degree online?
The online bachelor’s degree program for emergency management professionals takes four years and typically requires eight full-time semesters. Most students complete the bachelor’s degree in four to six years. Many online students pursue their degrees on a part-time basis and also take four to six years to complete a bachelor of science in emergency management.
How much does an Online Emergency Management bachelor’s degree cost?
The costs of the Emergency Management bachelor’s degree will depend on the type of school selected and the type of attendance. Tuition is the major cost involved in a bachelor’s degree, and the tuition rates vary by school. Online students can save on the expenses of living on or near a college campus. Cost estimates can guide the process of determining expenses and making a financially wise decision.
The average tuition costs depend on whether the school is a two year or four-year school. Further prices vary between public and private schools. In public schools, the rates differ for in-state students and out-of-state students. The below-listed items show the range of average tuition costs for a bachelor’s in emergency management.
- Public two-year schools’ average tuition is $3,520 per year
- Private two-year schools’ average tuition is $14,500 per year
- Public four-year schools in-state average tuition is $9,970 per year
- Public four-year schools’ out-of-state average tuition is $25,620 per year
- Private four-year schools’ average tuition is about $34,740 per year
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
The major that students want often reflects their job plans or career goals. Aligning your education path with your career path is vital. In the emergency management field, there are many majors and related courses of study that can lead to successful careers. They include Cybersecurity, Homeland Security, Emergency Administration and Planning, and Fire Sciences.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
The current trend is towards longer completion times and fewer students graduating on-time. At four-year private institutions, 53% graduate in four years and 65.6% graduate in six years. At four-year public institutions, 35% graduate at the four-year mark and 58.6% graduate at the six-year mark.
What kind of accreditation does the online program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
When selecting an online program for an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, students must carefully determine the type of accreditation offered by the school or program. Accreditation is a vital part of a college education because it affects the value and usefulness of a degree. Accreditation ensures employers and educational institutions of the quality of education behind the degree.
FEMA and the Emergency Management Institute have fostered specialized accreditation for emergency management program through organizations such as the Foundation for Higher Education Accreditation (FFHEA). This approach accredits specific programs specialized in emergency management education. It largely leaves accreditation of entire schools, colleges, and universities to the Department of Education approved certification agencies under the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This includes regional accreditation, which is also a widely accepted form of accreditation.
Professional Emergency Management Organizations
NEMA
National Emergency Management Association
NEMA began as an organization of emergency management directors from various states. The organization invites students and the public to participate in education, awareness, and networking events and programs. NEMA is an advocacy organization that is active in state and federal legislation. Students can take advantage of networking, conferences, information resources, and education programs.
DRI
Disaster Recovery Institute
The DRI provides thought leadership and accreditation in business continuity and related fields. The DRI brings public and private sector continuity of operations professionals into a common cause of promoting education, public awareness, and preparedness. DRI offers certifications and education to the master’s level.
IADPR
The International Association for Disaster Preparedness and Response
The IADPR is a membership organization created to be an information sharing platform for professionals, volunteers, and other interested parties. The organization has a rich library of educational resources. The group welcomes students and new members and urges active participation.
IAEM
The International Association of Emergency Managers
The IAEM works to promote the field of emergency management as a means to save lives and protect property during disasters, mass accidents, and emergencies. With more than 5,000 members, the association is an advocacy and public education organization that seeks to ensure adequate resources and effective planning for emergency management.