Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management Degree Programs of 2025

Students in an online master’s in emergency management program explore how disasters impact communities, the environment, and finances. The curriculum equips them to build and apply emergency response plans and policies to recover from these events and mitigate damage.

Graduates work for federal, state, or local governments, private companies, and nonprofit organizations as emergency management directors, medical or health service managers, consultants, logisticians, operations specialists, and training coordinators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs for emergency management directors will increase by 3% through 2032. These professionals earn a median yearly salary of $79,180.

Specific costs of an online master’s in emergency management differ for schools due to institution status (private versus public), program duration, and additional fees. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average graduate tuition is $12,596 at public colleges and $28,017 at private institutions.

We interviewed Michelle Pickett, director of Northern Illinois University’s Academic Advising Center, for her insights on finding the right master’s in emergency management degree program and succeeding in an online learning environment.

Choose your area of study

Clarifying your educational and career goals early in the research process can be helpful, as it will enable you to set parameters for the type of program and experience you’re seeking.

“Researching the growth opportunities for a career is important,” says Pickett. “One helpful resource is the Bureau of Labor Statistics’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, which provides a wealth of career information, including the career outlook and educational preparation needed for different occupations.”

Within the field of emergency management, there are a number of concentration options available, including public health and safety, homeland security, information systems, law enforcement, logistics, and fire protection. Establishing what specialization, if any, you’d like to focus on will help you narrow your search to programs that offer that option.

Students can earn several types of degrees in emergency management, including Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Public Administration (MPA). Each type of degree varies slightly in its theoretical and practical approaches to the curriculum as well as its graduation requirements, such as a thesis or capstone project.

Research schools and programs

You should only consider institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.

Ideally, your master’s in emergency management program will be accredited by a respected industry group like the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management Education (CAEME) as well.

Create a list of questions about the schools and programs you’re considering, including:

• What is the program’s curriculum, and does it align with your interests and goals?
• What are the experiential learning requirements, if any?
• What support services do online students have access to?
• Who are the faculty, and what are their qualifications?
• How do online students interact with classmates and faculty?
• Is a field study or capstone project necessary?

Most schools will publish this information on their websites. Students can also learn more and get questions answered by attending virtual open houses and information sessions, contacting program representatives and admissions counselors, and following schools and programs on social media.

Prepare for tests and applications

Confirm the application requirements, procedures, and deadlines with an admissions counselor before starting your application. Requirements may vary by school, but in general, applicants to an online master’s in emergency management program will be expected to have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum undergraduate GPA. Some programs may seek candidates with previous professional experience in emergency management or a related field.

A standard application packet includes:

• Completed application and fee
• Official transcripts from undergraduate institution
• Letters of recommendation from former or current professors, academic advisors, employers, and community or faith leaders
• Essay or personal statement
• Resume/CV
• GRE scores

Select your program

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, consider the following factors:

• The program’s curriculum: Ensure that the curriculum aligns with personal needs and career objectives.
• The school’s culture and feeling of community: Does it seem like the faculty and staff will be supportive?
• Your budget: How affordable are the tuition, living expenses, and fees?
• The student-teacher ratio: A lower ratio means more likelihood of getting to know the teachers and getting help with coursework.
• Undergraduate prerequisite courses: Do you have the necessary prerequisite courses to be eligible for this program?

Based on these factors, students should narrow their list to the schools they’ll apply to. “Other areas to consider include the learning environment, class structure and teaching style, and cost,” says Pickett. “Some online programs may cost more compared to traditional ones due to the delivery fees for the online program.” There’s no right or wrong number of schools to apply to, but keep in mind that most schools charge application fees, which can quickly add up. Students who intend to apply to multiple schools should budget accordingly.

Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Are you only interested in 100% online programs, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has some in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.

Determine how you’ll pay for your degree

Before taking out private loans, review every financial aid option, including federal loans, grants, fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and work-study. Complete the FAFSA form for financial aid eligibility. After the form is assessed, depending on the level of income, you might qualify for income-based grants. If you’re currently working in the field, see if your employer offers tuition assistance. High academic achievers and extracurricular activities participants might qualify for merit-based aid for tuition in addition to income-based funds in the same school year.

Be sure to speak to financial aid counselors at the schools you’re interested in for the most accurate and specific information about program cost.