Accreditation of emergency management degree programs may come in different forms, and it is important to understand how this works before committing to a program. There are also different types of degrees in this field, ranging from short but intensive certification programs to the traditional four-year course from degree-granting institutions. The type of program that one should get into will depend on the purpose of completing the degree or certification.
Related resource: Top 20 Emergency Management Degree Online Programs
Emergency Management Coursework
Emergency management is a field of study that focuses on ensuring public safety, protecting resources, facilitating recovery and maintaining order under special circumstances. These special circumstances may be weather-related, such as preparation for and recovery in the aftermath of hurricanes and floods. Emergency management includes creating plans of action to deal with human-instigated emergencies such as terrorist attacks, mass shootings or massive accidents.
The core focus of emergency management programs is preparedness for all conceivable emergencies. In this phase, emergency management specialists create a master plan for dealing with different emergencies. This will include preparing for both predictable and unpredictable events. Emergency response plans are refined and training exercises and mock drills are performed for different scenarios. Emergency response calls for saving as many lives as possible, preserving property and providing humanitarian care, including evacuation and ensuring access to shelter, food and medical care.
Emergency management extends beyond the event through recovery operations and mitigation efforts to ensure that basic services are restored, communities have access to resources and funds for repairs and restoration to rebuild their lives and their communities. Emergency management specialists coordinate with government officials, other agencies and the private sector to provide services to affected individuals and communities in an efficient manner.
Qualification and Credentials
A career in this field requires training in the various phases of managing emergency situations. Candidates may specialize in one of several fields, including law enforcement, public health, homeland security or cybersecurity. As such, one can start by completing a four-year degree in these fields from a traditional, degree-granting college. A number of colleges have started offering an associate degree in emergency management, which take two years to complete or a bachelor’s degrees with an emergency management focus.
Certification programs designed and conducted by industry organizations are available to provide specialized training. Some certifications may be mandatory requirements for certain positions. Certifications indicate that professionals have met specific training and competency benchmarks.
The Associate Emergency Manager or AEM certification and the Certified Emergency Manager or CEM certification are both granted by the International Association of Emergency Managers, which is the largest organization in this industry. The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers a professional development series, known as PDS, for emergency managers. This training and certification program is conducted in collaboration with the Emergency Management Institute.
The CEM credential is highly regarded in the industry. While the FEMA certification requires completion of a series of courses, earning the CEM requires specific job experience, a bachelor’s degree, post-degree training in emergency management, certification of professional contributions to the industry and passing a culminating exam. All of these professional certification programs require continuing education credits and other re-certification prerequisites to maintain.
Emergency management specialists provide crucial services in the most critical circumstances. Professionals in this field are required to meet certain standards for their own safety and for the public good. For this reason, emergency management degree programs undergo accreditation and periodic review to ensure compliance with accepted safety and security standards.