If you would like to earn a degree in emergency management, one common question you may be asking yourself is ‘Are there online Emergency Management Degree programs?’. As a prospective student, you must compare a number of different traditional and non-traditional distance education programs so that you learn the skills you need to respond to a crisis situation when you are a professional in emergency management. Once you are familiar with the types of programs that are available, you need to consider your career goals and your learning style to enroll in the best program possible. Read on, and learn about the types of Emergency Management programs that are offered at higher education institutions that you can choose from. 

What Does a Emergency Management Degree Program Teach Students?

An Emergency Management degree program will train professionals to prepare for handling natural and man-made disasters in a variety of different settings. When you are majoring in Emergency Management, you will be required to take a wide range of core courses that are focused around decision-making, emergency response procedures, disaster response, emergency prevention, planning, communications, and even business. Upon completion of an undergraduate program, students will learn how to maintain their composure in stressful situations by becoming an expert emergency management methods and responsibilities.

What Types of Degree Programs Can You Choose From?

A decade ago, emergency management was a very young field with very little programs to choose from. With more and more organizations and government agencies focusing on how to prevent disease and injury in the event of a disaster, the amount of programs that have become available is on the rise. If you would like to get your feet wet studying emergency management curriculum, you may want to consider enrolling in an Associate’s or Online Certification Emergency Management program. This is a 2-year program where students learn a very broad range of topics to decide if they are interested in delving deeper.

If you are certain you would like to become a Emergency Management specialist, a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management or Homeland Security will prepare you by giving you a knowledge in management and safety awareness. These Bachelor degree programs are available in a traditional format as well as an online format. Once you earn your B.S. degree, you can later advance your career and pursue management roles in the field of public safety by earning your Master of Science in Emergency Management. Many graduate schools offer these advanced schools in part-time and full-time formats and with distance education options.

How to Choose the Right Emergency Management Degree Program

With so many different online and traditional programs to choose from at for-profit and nonprofit colleges and universities, selecting the right degree option can be overwhelming. The easiest way to choose a program that meets high standards is to find one that has a programmatic accreditation. The Emergency Management Accreditation Program sets industry standards and oversees higher learning institutions. By choosing a EMAP-accredited program, delivered online or on-campus, you know you are getting a quality education.

Emergency Management is a very important discipline. The need for managers and specialists who can develop disaster prevention programs and disaster response planning initiatives is growing. If you would like to enter this field as it continues to grow, learn about online emergency management degree options and get started now.

For more information, check out the “Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs 2014“.