A Career in Emergency Management

Forty years ago, if you'd told someone you wanted to pursue a career in emergency management, they probably would have given you a blank look. If the someone were your mom, she probably would have followed it up with, "But honey, why don't you get a real job?"

These days, emergency management is a rapidly developing and changing industry at all levels, from government to education to business. The proverbial man on the street may still not know exactly what emergency management entails, but he knows it sounds cool. And if you decide to pursue a career in this exciting field, you'll have dozens of prestigious educational programs to choose from. "When I graduated, I didn't even know there was a name for what I wanted to do," says the Director of Emergency Response for a township in Nebraska. "Now I co-author a newsletter about the latest trends in emergency management pedagogy."

In a nutshell, emergency management is the discipline of preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies, whether they are natural or created by humans. Emergency management often serves as an umbrella term for a number of related fields, such as public safety, security management, fire services, homeland security, fire science, disaster management or emergency preparedness. "What one school calls disaster management might be very different from a program with the same name at another school," cautions Dr. Aaron, student counselor at Greensburg High School. "Always do your homework before sending in an application."

As the discipline of emergency management becomes more unified, collective agreement about the differences and similarities between the various sub-disciplines will probably emerge, making it much easier to plan your education and career. For now, it's best to assess each program on its own terms. Be sure to ask plenty of questions about the specific training and curriculum.

Most emergency management programs include courses on risk communication, using technology appropriately, and identifying hazards. Depending on the focus of the program, you might study geology, climatology or ecology. Some programs offer help finding internships and jobs. Because successful emergency management is such a collaborative effort in real-life practice, you can expect to work cooperatively with your classmates and engage in lively discussions and debates about theoretical scenarios.

After graduation from an emergency management program, you'll reap the benefits of an education in a highly popular field. Skilled emergency management workers are needed at all levels, which gives you the opportunity to serve where you feel it's needed most. Some graduates go on to work for businesses or corporations, some join first response teams, others choose to work for hospitals or health care centers, and others climb the ladder to become managers or administrators at the county or state level. Job titles within emergency management include emergency management specialists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, environmental science and protection technicians, fire fighters, occupational health and safety specialists, patrol officers, ambulance dispatchers and private sector contingency planners.

Now that emergency management has become visible in the public eye, new jobs are being created all the time. Emergency management sub-disciplines even warrant their own career fairs, such as the one held by Industrial Fire, Safety and Security (IFSS) in early 2009. Attendees were able to speak one-on-one with potential employers and gather information about diverse jobs in the industrial emergency response field. If a career fair is available in your area, this is a great way to learn more about emergency management and connect with future employers. Because of the high demand for educated graduates of emergency management programs, salaries in this field tend to be competitive.

Regardless of which level of emergency management you're interested in, there's never been a better time to enter this field. The demand for workers is expected to continue rising through 2014. As emergency management continues to adapt to the pressures of society and nature, you can become an active participant in its future and enjoy a successful career at the same time.

Earn Your Emergency Management Degree - Online
Get the education you need to begin or advance your Emergency Management or Public Safety career with confidence. Explore our directory of online Emergency Management programs - Public Safety programs, and request additional information from any of our featured schools directly from admissions officers via the information request form for programs that interest you: Explore Emergency Management Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• BS in Health Administration - Emergency Management
• B.S. in Health Administration - Emergency Management
• BS in Organizational Security and Management

Campus Locations:

Costa Mesa
East Lansing
Reston
Tulsa
Oakland
Las Vegas
Online
Grand Rapids
Augusta
Brookfield
Hollywood
Orlando
Arlington
Houston
Miami
Livonia
Southfield
Sugar Land
Rogers
Ontario
Appleton
Kansas City
Snellville
Daytona Beach
Yuma
Killeen
Westminster
Tampa
Pasadena
Overland Park
Mesa
Fairfax
Phoenix
West Chester
San Antonio
Los Angeles
Chandler
Clearwater
Maitland
San Diego
Fairfield
St. Louis
Louisville
Columbus
San Jose
Rancho Cordova
Jacksonville
Cordova
Salida
Henderson
Bossier City
Baton Rouge
Salt Lake City
Washington
Sarasota
Fort Collins
Indianapolis
Gardena
Manassas
Austin
Independence
Mililani
Lancaster
Springfield
Spring
Columbia
Fort Lauderdale
Livermore
Flint
Diamond Bar
Nogales
Milwaukee
Colorado Springs
Dallas
Kapolei
Ann Arbor
Tucson
Troy
Irving
Temple Terrace
Portage
Plainfield
Lathrop
Murrieta
Woodland Hills
Saint Louis
Plantation
Palm Beach Gardens
Madison
Lone Tree
Clinton Township
Roseville
Hurst
Culver City
Aurora
Westlake
Sacramento
San Francisco
Savannah
Macon
Elk Grove
Minneapolis
Atlanta
Beale AFB
Chattanooga
El Centro
Duluth
Saint Paul
Marietta
Sandy Springs
St Louis Park
McDonough
Visalia
Richmond
Greenville
Guaynabo
Carolina
Little Rock
Pittsburgh
Oklahoma City
Santa Teresa
Wichita
Renton
Saint George
Meridian
Flowood
Santa Fe
Salem
Clarksville
Clearfield
Fresno
Chula Vista
Reno
Tigard
Bakersfield
Pleasant Grove
Chicago
Virginia Beach
Murfreesboro
Nashville
Hillsboro
Wayne
Warrenville
Albuquerque
Mokena
Schaumburg
Harrisburg
San Bernardino

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• BS in Fire and Emergency Management
• BS in Fire Science
• MS in Fire and Emergency Services

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Course-based - Emergency Management
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Mixed-Model - Emergency Management
• B.S. in Health Studies - Disaster & Emergency Management

Argosy University

Campus

At Argosy University we prepare individuals for careers that make a difference, whether in business, education, or psychology. Learn how you can make a difference in your life, and the lives of others.

Programs:

• Emergency Preparedness and Response (MPA)
• Homeland Security (MPA)
• Criminal Justice (BS)

Campus Locations:

Seattle
Denver
San Diego
Honolulu
Alameda
Phoenix
Draper
Orange
Dallas
Santa Monica
Nashville
San Bernardino
Saint Paul
Chicago
Schaumburg
Arlington
Tampa
Sarasota
Atlanta

Anna Maria College

Online

Start your career with an education from Anna Maria College. We are a private, not-for-profit, regionally accredited university that offers online degree programs as an alternative to our traditional campus courses.

Programs:

• Master of Public Administration - Emergency Management
• Master of Public Administration - Fire Science Management
• Master of Public Administration - Justice Administration

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

• Criminology & Emergency Response Management

Campus Locations:

Modesto

University of Maine- Fort Kent

Campus

Get your career on track with University of Maine-Fort Kent. We offer associate and bachelor's degree programs in a wide variety of career fields.

Programs:

• Associate of Arts with a Study Sequence in Emergency Management/Homeland Security
• Bachelor of Science in Rural Public Safety Administration
• Associate of Arts with a Study Sequence in Criminal Justice

Campus Locations:

Fort Kent

Everglades University

Campus

Everglades University is a regionally accredited not-for-profit, private university that offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programs that prepare students to advance in their current or future fields of study. Everglades University combines small class sizes, innovative degree programs, and convenient scheduling to accommodate working students and adult learners.

Programs:

• Bachelor's Degree in Crisis and Disaster Management

Campus Locations:

Boca Raton
Sarasota

Colorado Technical University Online

Campus

Take your career to new heights with Colorado Tech Online! Since 1965, Colorado Technical University has helped thousands of students achieve success in business, management and technology careers. Learn more today.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Masters of Science in Management in Homeland Security
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Campus Locations:

Colorado Springs

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Associate of Science in Fire Science
• Homeland Security, AA (Online)
• Homeland Security, BA (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

• M.S.: Leadership: Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadership

Campus Locations:

Little Rock
Phoenix

Everest University Online

Campus

Expand your career horizons with an online degree from Everest University Online. Balance work and family while you study for your Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree.

Programs:

• Homeland Security (Bachelor's)
• Homeland Security (Associate's)
• Criminal Justice (Master's)

Campus Locations:

Santa Ana

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Criminal Justice / Home land Security
• Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice - Associate

Campus Locations:

Erie
Kingston
Ravenna
Orange Park
Dayton
Cuyahoga Falls

Vatterott College

Campus

Advance your career with a certificate, diploma or bachelor's degree from Vatterott College. Our innovative, hands-on training helps you build the life you want.

Programs:

• Criminal Justice

Campus Locations:

Tulsa
Oklahoma City

Bellevue University

Campus

Bellevue University makes it possible for motivated adult learners to earn a high-quality college degree.

Programs:

• BS in Security Management
• MS in Security Management
• MS in Justice Administration and Crime Management

Campus Locations:

Bellevue