Explore the Best Associate Degrees in Emergency Management Online
Have you ever been told you’re good in a crisis? If so, a career in emergency management may be a good fit. Emergency management professionals work in emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. They typically work for government organizations, though roles vary wildly. Some emergency management professionals help ensure national security, while others respond to natural disasters, like forest fires or hurricanes.
To help you understand if this two-year degree is for you, STEPS has compiled some of the best programs, as well as information on common classes and career options after graduating. By the end of this guide, you’ll have more insight into whether an emergency management associate degree online is right for you.
Breaking Down Online Emergency Management Associate Degree Programs
An emergency management associate degree is a two-year foundational program that allows graduates to enter an impactful field. While there are some amazing in-person programs, online degrees are just as effective and allow students to better balance coursework with life and work obligations. To ensure your online education meets the standards of in person programs, be sure to consider institutional and program-specific accreditation. If the program you attend is not accredited, your degree may not be recognized by future employers or other academic institutions, greatly reducing your career opportunities.
But finding accredited and affordable online programs can be a daunting task, so we did some of the legwork for you. Below are three of the best associate degree options in terms of cost, curriculum, flexible learning formats, and student support resources. Even if these schools aren’t a perfect fit for you, they can be used as a quality barometer when looking at other programs.
Bucks County Community College
Anyone interested in getting an emergency management associate degree online should consider the Associate of Arts in Emergency Management degree from Bucks County Community College. Unlike other emergency management programs, this option pulls equally from Bucks’ business school and legal studies program, meaning graduates understand the technical and business side of managing an emergency department. Courses cover topics like managing private or public sector emergency response plans, evaluating community vulnerabilities, risk assessment, and developing resiliency plans. The curriculum mixes these degree-specific courses with general business courses, such as introduction to finance and business communications.
Applicants with previous coursework or work experience can transfer credits, allowing them to graduate in less than two years. If students haven’t completed previous coursework, the degree takes two years to complete as a full-time student.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $170 to $495 per credit hours (residency dependent)
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Emergency Management
- Supervision
- American State and Local Government
- Crisis Management and Critical Incident Stress
- Hazardous Material
- Organizational Behavior
- Principles of Management
- Business Continuity Management
- Human Resource Management
- Emergency Management Exercise Design
- Emergency Communications and Public Information
- Emergency Management Internship
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
This two-year Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Management degree from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute covers technical aspects and management skills related to multiple emergency service departments, including emergency medical services, fire protection, and law enforcement. Students also take general courses to hone critical thinking skills and have space in their final two semesters for electives, which allows them to study a specific area of emergency management in more detail. Popular electives areas include law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency management.
To apply, students must submit their high school GPA, have a diploma or GED, take a placement test, and complete an interview with the program director. The interview also serves as a chance to discuss a student’s specific career interests, and the program offers many more professional development opportunities throughout the degree.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $76 to $268 per credit hour (residency dependent)
Curriculum:
- Sociology of Disaster
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Management Services Law & Ethics
- Mitigation & Preparedness
- Response & Recovery
- Critical Incident Management for Public Safety
- Local Government Finance
- Terrorism and Emergency Management
- Emergency Operations Center Management
Wayne Community College
The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Management degree from Wayne Community College hones students’ technical and managerial skills, preparing them for multiple career paths. Popular post-grad career paths include managing ambulance services, joining fire rescue, leading a law enforcement squad, or working in industrial safety. Graduates of the program have an average entry-level salary of $40,000, according to Wayne Community College, and the school offers online professional support resources to help students apply for jobs.
Because the program is career-focused, the curriculum addresses critical thinking skills and industry-specific skills. Core classes cover the sociology of disaster, emergency mitigation, municipal public relations, civil liability, and local government finances. Students can also choose between a few different specialization tracks that tailor their degree to a specific career field. No matter which specialization a student chooses, they can complete all coursework online or in a hybrid format within two years.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $1,216 to $4,288 per semester (residency tuition)
Curriculum:
- Critical Incident Management for Public Safety
- Sociology of Disaster
- State & Local Government
- Mitigation & Preparedness
- Emergency Management
- Municipal Public Relations
- Civil Liability
- Detection and Investigation
- EM Services Law & Ethics
- Terrorism and Emergency Management
- Emergency Operations Center Management
- Local Government Finance
- Response & Recovery
- Managing Fire Services
FAQs About an Online Associate Degree in Emergency Management
Can I earn my associate in emergency management 100% online?
While most emergency management work happens in person and on the ground, the same cannot be said about associate degrees in the field. You’ll find many high-quality degrees offered in a 100% online format. Some standout online programs are at Fayetteville Technical Community College and Indian River State College.
How long does it take to earn an associate in emergency management degree online?
On average, an associate degree takes two years to complete. The programs at St. Petersburg College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, for example, both take two years. You may be able to find faster programs, but typically that’s based on your previous credit history or professional experience. It’s also possible to complete your degree slower if you take courses part-time, though part-time options are more common for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in emergency management.
What are the admissions requirements for online emergency management degrees?
Admissions criteria vary from school to school, though many emergency management associate degrees have some baseline requirements. These include graduating from high school or a GED, sharing transcripts with grades and course topics, and submitting at least one letter of recommendation. Some schools, like Wayne Community College, also require students to meet with an admissions counselor to discuss their career interests and which program best suits their needs.
How much does an online emergency management associate degree cost?
Getting an associate degree may be more affordable than a four-year program, but that doesn’t mean it’s inexpensive. Total tuition prices typically range from about $5,000 to $25,000, as reflected in the table below.
Fortunately, you’ll have options to subsidize your degree. Financial aid, such as student loans, scholarships, and grants, can offset some costs. You’ll even find specific scholarships for emergency management students, which can be less competitive and more tailored to your career path.
Are there any certifications or licenses that you need to work in emergency management?
Unlike fields like law or nursing — each of which requiring regimented industry or state licensure — you won’t find required certifications or licenses to get a job in emergency management. However, there are optional certifications that can help you stand out when applying for jobs, and some individual employers may require specific certifications related to a role. To learn more about some of the optional certifications available, check out the courses listed on FEMA’s website.
Common Courses in Associate in Emergency Management Programs
Before getting an emergency management associate degree online, you should have a basic idea of your core curriculum. While each program varies slightly and may offer different electives or opportunities to specialize, you’ll find consistent course topics.
Most programs blend three course types: general critical thinking and communication skills, emergency management foundations, and electives. In electives, students hone a specific skill set, such as law enforcement management or emergency medical services coordination. For a better idea of coursework, check out five representative classes below, including a school that offers each in their emergency management curriculum.
Emergency Management Leadership
Most associate degrees prepare students to ultimately become managers, meaning they should cultivate key administrative and leadership skills required to keep a department running. To meet this need, programs like St. Petersburg College offer a leadership course. You’ll learn management principles that are particularly relevant in emergency departments.
Mitigation & Preparedness
The U.S. government has outlined four important duties of emergency management departments. The first two, mitigation and preparedness, are closely related, which is why programs such as Wayne Community College have a class that covers both. Students learn proactive measures for reducing disaster incidence and the essentials of planning.
Response & Recovery
The other two emergency management areas outlined by the government are response and recovery. Because these operations are also intrinsically linked, most emergency management programs have one foundational course that teaches concepts related to both — like you’ll find at Fayetteville Technical Community College. You’ll learn techniques for reducing impact, protecting the environment, and returning impacted systems to normal operations.
Sociology of Disaster
Emergency management is an interdisciplinary field, meaning many programs offer courses in sociology, business, and criminal justice. One staple course is the sociology of disaster, which explores the field from a theoretical lens. Colleges such as Rowan-Cabarrus Community College include this course in their curriculum to help develop students’ critical thinking skills.
Emergency Management Internship
Emergency management is a hands-on field, meaning many employers look for some experience when hiring for full-time roles. To help students gain that experience, many programs — like the Bucks County Community College AA in Emergency Management — include an internship as part of their curriculum.
Salary Trends and Job Forecast Associate Degree in Emergency Management Holders
Community Health Workers
Community health workers encourage people to adopt healthy behaviors, and they advocate for underprivileged people with limited access to healthcare and social services. They work in hospitals, public health departments, and community-based organizations. This career path is for people most interested in how emergency management interacts with public health, especially when it comes to disease prevention. The median salary for this career was $48,200 in May 2023 and employment is projected to grow by 13 percent (faster than average).
Social and Human Service Assistants
Social and human services assistants determine appropriate aid for clients, work with other professionals to develop treatment plans, research services that are available to clients, and help clients complete paperwork to receive these services. They work under the supervision of social workers, psychologists, and other medical and social services professionals. If you are interested in working directly with the public, this could be a potential career opportunity. Employment is projected to grow by eight percent by 2033, and the 2023 median annual pay was $41,410.
Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers
Light truck or delivery services drivers play a crucial role in emergency response and prevention as they deliver and transport materials needed to recover from natural and man-made disasters. In this position you will be responsible for loading and unloading cargo, keeping equipment in working order, and communicating with customers to determine delivery needs. The annual median pay as of 2023 was $39,950 and this career has a faster than average employment growth of nine percent.
Additional Resources for Emergency Management Students and Professionals
- Best Emergency Management Fields
Wondering what to do after you graduate? Drury University outlines the best career paths for emergency management students. Featured career paths include emergency management specialist, emergency management technician, law enforcement management, and more. - Careers for Social Impact
This organization helps job seekers access resources, talk with career coaches, and network so they can create a career path aligned with their interests and the public good. If you’re interested in acing your job search, Careers for Social Impact hosts a job search course specific to careers in public service. - Disaster Recovery Institute International
DRI International is a nonprofit dedicated to help communities prepare for emergencies. They offer free resources on their website, networking opportunities, and certifications in areas such as cybersecurity or risk management. For students specifically, their resources and networking events can help you discover what you want to do after graduating and connect you with potential employers. - FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute
As a government agency devoted to preventing and responding to disasters and emergencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a great resource. It provides free resources and educational materials as well as longer courses that can beef up your resume as you hunt for a post-grad job. - Government Technology/Emergency Management
Technology changes fast. As an aspiring emergency management professional, you’ll need to keep up with the technology within your field. This website is a comprehensive source of news about emergency management topics, specifically as they relate to technology. - International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
As a premier professional networking group for emergency managers worldwide, IAEM has a lot to offer. Members enjoy networking events, online news updates, and career advice from mentors. Plus, the program has a student membership and multiple scholarships for emergency management students. - National Emergency Management Association (NEMA)
NEMA offers key resources and opportunities for emergency management professionals. These include peer networking, the chance to join topic-specific committees, and continuing education resources and courses. The organization also offers a reduced-price membership for students. - Ready.gov
If you’re interested in helping citizens prepare for emergencies, this government-funded website provides guidelines and resources for responding to extreme heat, severe weather, and other disasters. - Skills for Successful Emergency Management Students
Post University breaks down the skills and principles emergency management students should cultivate before they graduate. Learn about the characteristics of effective emergency management students and how to best prepare for success in the workplace. - What to Expect in Emergency Management
This guide offers foundational knowledge on what your degree and career may look like. The University of Central Florida adds more insight into emergency management coursework and future careers in this article.
