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18 Best Online Emergency Management Bachelor’s Degree Colleges

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Are you planning to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management but still at a loss as to what you can do with the degree? If you are, it’s best to answer the questions below so you can determine whether or not an emergency management academic program is suitable for you.

To sum it all up, degree holders in emergency management are those responsible for keeping in close coordination and communication with different organizations to help anticipate and prepare for possible disasters or hazards. You can typically see these jobs in private industries or the government sector. 

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What is Emergency Management?

Emergency management is the management and organization of the responsibilities and resources for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies (disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, or recovery). The primary aim of emergency management is to minimize the possible harmful results of all hazards.

According to the World Health Organization, an emergency is defined as a state where normal day-to-day procedures are interrupted, and immediate measures have to be implemented to prevent hazards from becoming a disaster, which is even more difficult to recover from. 

As time passes and more data are readily available (usually by studying an emergency as it occurs), a plan should yield. When developing emergency plans, remember that this is a cyclical process—something common to most risk management disciplines like security risk management and business continuity. 

Several publications and guidelines concerning emergency planning are published by different professional organizations like ASIS, the NFPA or National Fire Protection Association, and the IAEM or International Association of Emergency Managers.

When an emergency happens, managers must plan to mitigate the emergency’s potential effects and ensure critical operations’ business continuity following the incident. 

What is an Emergency Manager?

When you think about emergency management, you usually think about the many professionals involved on the ground in an emergency: police officers, firefighters, first responders, and emergency medical technicians. But some people work behind the scenes: enter emergency managers. 

Emergency Managers are exceptional planners responsible for seeing the bigger picture of a whole situation (as well as the tiny details), ensuring that the organization and community are both prepared adequately in case of an emergency. These managers are usually employed in the following:

While most emergency managers are confined to their officers, there are some instances when they are required to travel to consult with community organizations and lead training sessions. These professionals can also conduct research or perform surveys to keep abreast of the issues and regulations on a local, state, or federal level.

In an emergency event, these managers are responsible for implementing rescue efforts or coordinating evacuations. 

What Can Graduates Do with an Emergency Management Degree?

Because of the constant increase of unanticipated natural and human-made disasters, private and public-sector organizations are increasingly interested in investing in emergency management.

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment has grown by 400 (roughly 3%) between 2022 and 2032. 

Emergency management is a very challenging but rewarding field to get involved with. You can gain entry into this profession by volunteering with your state or local emergency management office, pursuing an advanced degree, or taking independent emergency management courses to further learn about the field. 

Employers usually look for emergency managers who clearly understand the socio-economic and political implications of a disaster. They also want these professionals to know how to create and develop detailed operations plans. 

As far as education quality goes, students of online bachelor’s in Emergency Management programs acquire the same education level as those enrolled in a classroom setting.

Some students prefer to have a more relaxed environment, and when they have the chance, they will thrive in taking these courses online. 

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Each of the best colleges on our list offering Online Bachelor’s in Emergency Management programs was picked based on their program features that truly stand out! First of all, we factored in excellent program design, equipping graduates to acquire and demonstrate the best skills for the relevant jobs.

The online colleges on our list also highlight convenience with 100% online Bachelor’s in Emergency Management programs, reasonable tuition, and financial aid options. Other ranking factors include cost, graduate salary, and reputation.

Please visit our Methodology page for more information.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Emergency Management

Saint Louis University

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The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management of Saint Louis is the only undergraduate emergency program this Jesuit university offers.

Through the campus School of Professional Studies, you are taught how to properly administer aid and assistance to others and help ensure a community’s resilience in times of disasters, big or small.

This multi-disciplinary and comprehensive program mainly focuses on all sectors recognized by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the Department of Homeland Security. 

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Saint Louis, Missouri

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Mercer University

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Mercer University runs a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management program that tackles various global threats to public safety and equips students for effective management in this field. Students will also experience service-based learning to develop their core competencies in the field even more. This degree program is ideal for adult learners already working in the emergency response arena or homeland security. 

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Atlanta, Georgia

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Colorado State University

Personnel in fire and emergency services are notable in providing communities with a wide number of fire protection services, emergency medical, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness services.

Colorado State University’s Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration is an online degree program that challenges you to integrate your academic knowledge into administrative and managerial roles, apply your knowledge, skills, and competencies to fire and emergency service situations, and collaborate with your peers to solve organizational problems.

Highly experienced practitioners teach courses in this field to develop better skills to apply directly to your job. 

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Colorado

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Grand Canyon University

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The Grand Canyon University Colangelo College of Business offers a BS Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, entirely available online.

The program prepares graduates to have the right communication skills and leadership abilities if an unexpected situation happens. Emergency Management teaches preparedness, response, and recovery during and after hazards and dangers. 

GCU’s Homeland Security Degree program focuses on four major domains to guarantee a student will have practical and theoretical knowledge to help keep communities safe. These domains include:

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Phoenix, Arizona

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Barry University

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The Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Emergency Management at Barry University is ideal for students planning to acquire and learn operational skills applicable to various emergency scenarios and systems.

The degree is designed for present emergency management professionals eyeing promotion and planning to embark on a new career. 

This accelerated online program incorporates coursework from management, public administration, psychology, health sciences, criminal justice, sociology, and environmental sciences. You are taught to plan, coordinate, and create high-level decisions in this degree as well. 

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Miami Shores, Florida

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Franklin University

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Franklin University offers a BS Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, offering degree candidates two academic tracks: Emergency Management and Disaster Response or Homeland Security.

With the curriculum, you will gain exposure to emergency management, risk management and threat assessment, homeland security, safety, security planning, and other related subjects to prepare you for future leadership in different settings.

Whether you want to build on your experiences, enter the field, or want to lay a stronger foundation for graduate school, this program is a perfect choice for you. You can easily earn this degree according to your terms by having online classes 100%.

Being a regionally accredited and nonprofit school, Franklin University was built from the ground up to fully accommodate adult learners’ needs. 

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Columbus, OHIO

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Western Carolina University

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The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Western Carolina University is available 100% online! Upon enrollment, you must complete 120 credit units to meet the program’s prerequisites.

This baccalaureate degree coursework includes EMC systems management, social dimensions of a disaster, emergency planning, disaster response operations, methods of disaster research, and methods of a research project, to name a few. 

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Cullowhee, North Carolina

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Jacksonville State University

When you have a degree in Emergency Management from Jacksonville State University, you will always be ready and prepared for any community incident, from minor emergencies to major disasters. You will have the skills and knowledge to lead the way in helping your community.

Mandated classes include an introduction to disaster management, disaster mitigation, and preparedness, populations at risk, an emergency management capstone course, and research in emergency management. 

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Jacksonville, Alabama

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Upper Iowa University

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You can complete a BA. Emergency and Disaster Management Degree at Upper Iowa University entirely online. This degree is also available in Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

The program integrates theory with practice to gear you to fully understand, manage, and mitigate the human and physical consequences of technological, natural, civil, or human-caused disasters. 

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Fayette, Iowa

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Drury University

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The BS in Emergency Management program of Drury University is the state’s best online emergency management degree. Each student is required to complete 124 semester credits to be able to complete the program.

Major requirements for this degree include classes in financial basics for leaders, hazard mitigation, hazard identification, social aspects of a disaster, and grant writing. Students are also involved in an internship program, and they can enter the university’s program five times each year.

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Springfield, Missouri

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Kansas Wesleyan University

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The Bachelor of Arts in Emergency Management from Kansas Wesleyan University is one of the best online emergency management degrees in Kansas’s entire state. The only academic offering of its kind in Kansas, this BA degree has two minor options: Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Criminal Justice.

Upon graduating from KWU, you can find rewarding careers in hospitals, businesses, the federal government, colleges and universities, public schools, and the Red Cross, just to name a few. Kansas Wesleyan University was chosen to host the Multi-Hazard Planning for Emergencies coursework of FEMA. 

The Emergency Management major at Kansas Wesleyan can be completely obtained online, on-campus, or a hybrid combination of both. Because of its popularity, KWU’s program became one of the top 60 in the entire USA. 

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Salina, Kansas

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Waldorf University

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The BA Degree in Emergency Management at Waldorf University is curated to prepare the student with extensive emergency management knowledge. This program includes Waldorf’s general education curriculum, various courses in the emergency management arena, and electives in Homeland Security, Business, and Fire Science operation.

This program also gives a student the right general education and technical and discipline-specific knowledge needed to succeed in the wide field of emergency management. 

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Forest City, Iowa

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Crown College

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Crown College’s BS in Disaster and Emergency Management is 100% online. With the onset of unpredictable weather patterns and other natural disasters, Disaster and Emergency Management is quickly becoming an exciting and rewarding profession.

Upon graduation, students emerge as highly qualified professionals for emergency response work and law enforcement careers. 

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Minnesota

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New England College

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New England College’s BA in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is considered one of the best online emergency management degrees in the state of New Hampshire.

If you enroll in NEC, expect to complete classes in homeland security planning, crisis communication, cybercrime, warfare, research methods, emergency planning and response, and a senior thesis, to name a few.

As part of the Yellow Ribbon program, New England College is a designated military-friendly higher learning institution. 

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Henniker, New Hampshire

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Immaculata University

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Being the only Emergency Planning and Management major in Pennsylvania, Immaculata University’s BS in Emergency Planning and Management is duly recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This program’s curriculum teaches its students the most suitable and practical skills to help them become an asset to organization planning for emergencies. You will learn how to use data from real crises in projects and assignments, and you get to practice making executive-level decisions that will come in handy in case a crisis occurs on the field. 

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Malvern, Pennsylvania

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Emergency management service careers are indeed rewarding and provide students with more work opportunities. With an online degree in this field, students who may not live near their chosen school can finally have the chance to attend despite the distance. 

University of Florida

University of Florida

The Fire and Emergency Services (FES) degree program at the University of Florida is meant to increase emergency services professionals’ managerial and leadership skills. Their Fire Science, Emergency Management, and EMS programs combine to meet your professional goals.

As a leader in either the public or private sector of emergency services, you can help minimize danger and help protect the public, and hold numerous rewarding careers. There are a variety of jobs available to graduates at the local, state, and national levels of government, insurance companies, and industry. 

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Ohio Christian University

Ohio Christian University

Students can prepare for work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private organizations with the Emergency and Disaster Management major. Graduates must have knowledge, proficiency, and experience acquired through fieldwork as part of a rigorous academic program.

They offer 100% online courses in a flexible 5-week format that features weekly assignment deadlines and forum discussions for busy adults. 

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Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University

Students completing the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Bachelor of Science degree program will prepare to become disaster preparedness and emergency management professionals.

Students must take courses on disaster preparedness, mitigation, planning, response, and recovery at the undergraduate level. As part of DPEM, each student will choose an emphasis area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Emergency Management majors in demand?

Are Emergency Management majors in demand?

The emergency management industry is experiencing steady growth, so graduates with an online bachelor’s degree in emergency management can expect a rewarding career.

Jobs for emergency management directors are expected to increase by 3% between 2022 and 2032. As a result of existing workers changing positions or retiring, about 900 jobs are expected to open each year. 

What do students study for an online Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management?

Responding to either man-made disasters or natural disasters is the primary focus of an online emergency management degree program. Emergency management degree programs teach students how to respond to disasters and terrorism quickly in times of crisis.

As part of emergency management courses, students will learn how to assess risks, make disaster recovery plans for businesses and individuals, and maintain a safe environment.

Is a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management worth it?

You can pursue a promising professional pathway poised for success with an online degree. A four-year degree program in this field provides the qualifications and training required for well-paying positions in government, nonprofit, and corporate settings.

Students learn how to create plans for responding to emergencies.

Additionally, they learn how to work with government agencies and private contractors to handle dire situations effectively.

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