Disasters and emergencies happen. Hurricanes in New Orleans. Tornadoes in Oklahoma. Potential terrorist attacks. As we’ve seen with Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, natural (or man made), disasters requires quick responses from local, state and federal emergency agencies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates there are over 10,000 professional Emergency Management directors in the United States with an expected 6% job growth over the next ten years.
Positions for Emergency Management directors can be found with local, state and federal agencies, as well as private companies, hospitals and local organizations. The planning and coordination of resources and services following a public emergency is key among the EM director’s tasks. Directors must analyze resources, equipment and staffing following an emergency; and, directing from a command center, manage the emergency response and make necessary adjustments. Emergency Management directors must coordinate medical care, rescue operations, provision of food, water and shelter for people in need.
Emergency Management directors are required to have at least a bachelors degree in Emergency Management as well as experience working in emergency response, public administration or disaster planning. The average annual salary for a EM director is, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $67,330. The lowest 10 percent earn approximately $34,000 and the top 10% may earn in excess of $127,000.
Financing Your Degree
There are several ways to finance your college degree and help reduce your total cost.
Federal Student Aid
The U.S. government provides financial assistance to students entering or returning to college. There are various forms of financial aid available to students that includes grants (money that does not have to be repaid) or student loans (typically, loans at a lower interest rate). You can learn more about whether you qualify for federal financial aid by talking with your high school guidance counselor or college/university financial aid office. Additional information may be found on the Department of Education website Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Veterans, Spouses and Dependents
Often, schools will offer reduced tuition rates for active military personnel, their spouse and dependents. Many schools also offer tuition reduction benefits for veterans. Be certain to check with your school of choice to see if you qualify for this special rate.
Employee Tuition Assistance
Some employers offer tuition assistance for employees. You should check with your Human Resource department to see if your employer offers such a program and if your degree would qualify.
Numerous universities and colleges offer undergraduate degrees in Emergency Management. Best Medical Degrees, using an approved list by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Institute of Emergency Management (FEMA), has researched the ten cheapest, accredited Emergency Management programs. Looking at tuition cost and school accreditation, Best Medical Degrees compared these schools to U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of colleges and universities to develop a list of affordable online programs. Those schools receiving a U.S. News and World Report ranking will be noted.
1. West Texas A&M University
Located in Canyon, Texas, West Texas A&M University was founded in 1910 and has a #11 ranking in Best Online Bachelor’s and #10 in Best Online Veterans programs of U.S. News and World Report. The school has a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) Degree in Emergency Management Administration. Note: The 2016-2017 Academic Year Application is CLOSED. The 2017-2018 Admission to the Program (not the University) will be Open January 1 to March 31, 2017 for Fall Enrollment. Students may still enroll online for major courses. Additional information on the application process may be found at West Texas A&M University.
West Texas A&M University has a low tuition rate for Texas and border state residents. WTAMU has implemented a guaranteed tuition plan that, depending on the number of semester hours earned, locks in a tuition rate for the rest of a student’s education as long as that student graduates on time. An explanation of how this locked tuition rate works, please go to WTA&M Tuition.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Estimated Tuition Cost: $50 (In-State); $80 (Border States)
*There is a 2.5 hours per semester minimum for these rates
2. Western Carolina University
The program at Western Carolina University is ranked #72 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Bachelor’s programs. The university, located in Cullowhee, North Carolina has been in existence since 1889 and offers an attractively low tuition for NC residents and a reasonable non-resident rate as well. Western Carolina University has been recognized among the Top 15 public regional universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report, named one of 24 Best Value Colleges in the U.S. by Kiplinger Personal Finance and has been noted as one of the Top 12 best online programs for the military and veterans.
The Emergency and Disaster Management B.S. degree requires 42 Liberal Studies hours, 48 major hours, and 30 general elective hours and is offered through WCU’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Department. Coursework focuses on improving the student’s communication and analytic skills. Detailed information on admission, requirements and the program is available at Western Carolina University.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Cost of Tuition Per Credit Hour: $147.77 (In-State); $498.88 (Out-of-State)
3. Arkansas State University
Known as A-State, Arkansas State University was founded in 1909 and currently has an enrollment of over 13,000 students in 160 areas of study. Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, A-State serves students in the Delta and the Mid-South region. Ranked #21 in Top Public Schools and #41 in Best School for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report, the Bachelor of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management of A-State’s College of Nursing and Health Professions has accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Emergency Management Education (CAEME) pending.
This online program is a Bachelor of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) and is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students in becoming professionals in the field of disaster preparedness and emergency management. Students select 25 hours in an emphasis area within DPEM, which may be in disaster preparedness, mitigation, planning, response and recovery. More information on this BS in DPEM may be found at Arkansas State University.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credits: $202
4. University of Central Missouri
Opened in 1871 in Warrensburg, Missouri, the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) ranking in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (Midwest) is #75 and has enjoyed continuing regional accreditation with the North Central Association (NCA) since 1915. UCM offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Crisis and Disaster Management.
This is a four-year degree. The online coursework will include studies in Community Mitigation and Recovery, Disaster Management Technology, Technology Application Studies, Field Exercise Project and Integrated Emergency Management. You may find out more information at University of Central Missouri.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $294.25
5. Arkansas Tech University
Located in Russellville, Arkansas, Arkansas Tech University’s undergraduate online programs have been ranked #193 by U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. A public institution founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech has a total enrollment of 11,000 undergraduate students. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management concentrating on the skills and practices of emergency planning and management associated with homeland security. The online program has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Coursework will examine natural disasters, chemical incidents, biological episodes, radiological occurrences, and terrorist events and combines various aspects of the social and natural sciences.This online program has a low $219 cost per credit hour for Arkansas residents and $438 per credit hour for non residents. All undergraduate students who are legal residents of states which are contiguous to Arkansas (specifically, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, or Texas) shall receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition charges. Details on this program may be found at Arkansas Tech University.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit: $219 (In-State); $438 (Out-of-State)
6. Savannah State University
Savannah State University, founded in Savannah, Georgia in 1890, is the oldest public historically black college in Georgia; and, SSU’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management program is the only bachelor’s degree program in homeland security and/or emergency management in the state of Georgia and the first in the nation at a historically black college/university. Savannah State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate, baccalaureate and masters degrees.
Offered through SSU’s College of Liberal Arts, students will study general educational courses (i.e., history, English, geography, etc.) as well as concentrate on emergency management courses in Politics and Policy of HSEM, Law and Ethics in HSEM, Emergency Planning, Mitigation & Incident Management, Social Diversity Issues in Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, Terrorism in the Modern World and Effective HSEM Communication and Leadership. The degree requires 125 credit hours for completion and additional information may be found at Savannah State University.
Length of Program: 125 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $250
7. American Public University
American Public University (APU) is a private, for profit school, founded in 1991 by a retired Marine Corps officer. First known as the American Military University (AMU) it offered career oriented, online programs for military personnel. In 2002, AMU was reorganized and became part of the American Public University System. The American Public University System began trading on NASDAQ. The American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report #58 in its Best Online Bachelors Programs and received the award for Best for Vets Colleges distinction from Military Times for 2016.
The online BA in Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) introduces the all-hazards approach, understanding of risk assessment, hazard identification, prevention and management techniques, the multiple phases of emergency and disaster management, and counterterrorism; as well as prevention, management, mitigation, and recovery from man-made and natural disasters. The program is recognized by the Foundation of Higher Education for Disaster and Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Information on this program may be found at American Public University. The school offers a tuition grant for active military personnel, spouses, dependents and veterans.
Length of Program: 122 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $290
8. Ohio Christian University
As the name implies, this is a religious university founded in 1948 as Circleville Bible College to train clergy in the Circelville, Ohio area. The school holds accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission, Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Association for Biblical Higher Education, and Ohio Board of Regents. The school offers an online Bachelor of Arts with a Disaster Management and Relief Concentration through its College of Business and offers a tuition discount for veterans of $250 per credit hour.
Following its Christian foundation, the school’s degree concentration, as described on its website, “… is designed to develop leadership abilities in management, to be utilized in all types of disaster situations, emphasizing Christ-like service to those in need. Graduates of this program will be trained to serve all stages of human suffering from immediate relief through community rebuilding and redevelopment.” Additional information may be found at Ohio Christian University.
Length of Program: 120 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $350
9. Jacksonville State University
This Jacksonville, Alabama school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has been in existence since 1883 and offers 45 degrees, including online two Bachelor of Science degrees in Emergency Management with a Homeland Security minor and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management with a minor in Public Safety Telecommunications. Both degrees require 128 credit hours for graduation.
Recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this degree (JSU Online Emergency Management ) requires a total of 128 credit hours for completion. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management with a minor in Public Safety Telecommunications curriculum includes study in Public Safety Communications, Interpersonal Communications, Legal Issues in Public Safety Communications, Introduction to Crisis Intervention, Introduction to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Technical Writing for Public Safety Communications, as well as many others. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management with a minor in Homeland Security examines Emergency Response to WMD Event, Legal Fundamentals in EM and Homeland Security, Introduction to Terrorism, Public Information Policy, Transportation Security, Management Systems in Disaster, Critical Infrastructure, Current Issues in Homeland Security, Planning and Preparedness for Homeland Security, Weapons of Mass Destruction as well as many others.
Length of Program: 128 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $362
10. SUNY at Canton
Ranked #43 by U.S. News and World Report for it’s Best Online Programs ranking, SUNY Canton is Northern New York’s college for technology, health, management, and public service. Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education, SUNY Canton was founded in 1906 and was assimilated into the New York university system in 1987. The school provides a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and boasts of being one of the few such online programs in the country.
Students in this program will receive “real life” training by participating in an internship at local, state or Federal agencies. Coursework includes the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from natural or technological emergencies, disasters and catastrophes. This degree is offered through the university’s School of Business and Liberal Arts. Further program information may be found at SUNY Canton.
Length of Program: 123 Credit Hours
Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $539