Online Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.
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Bachelor’s in Emergency Management Degree Overview
Come back stronger, and become a leader that communities can count on in times of crisis. Earn your bachelor’s degree and be ready to move your emergency management career forward.
- Learn how to address the challenges in today’s emergency management landscape, including disaster planning, disaster response, technology, human resource management, and fiscal responsibility.
- Prepare for leadership roles in emergency preparedness, disaster planning, and disaster response.
- Develop the practical skills and knowledge to enhance public safety, manage critical resources, and guide communities on the path to recovery.
- Gain in-demand management, HR, marketing, and accounting skills with an optional concentration in business foundations.
Gain the Skills That Employers — and Communities — Need
- Evaluate the ethical, social, civic, cultural, and political issues that impact emergency management and disaster planning.
- Analyze global emergency management and disaster planning.
- Understand operational, strategic, and tactical emergency management decisions and disaster management planning.
- Examine the psychological effects of emergency management.
- Use analytical tools to evaluate research in the field.
- Explore how technology informs operational, strategic, and tactical decision-making.
Military Transfer Credit
Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your occupational and military training counts as college credit.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
The online emergency management degree program builds your skills and increases your knowledge in the stages of the emergency management life cycle, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
You’ll analyze the many influences on the profession and practice, including social, behavioral, ethical, and cultural topics. The bachelor’s in emergency management also equips you with the leadership and technical skills to help you adapt to future challenges.
Sample Courses
- Preparedness and Planning for Emergency Management
- Emergency Management Exercise Design and Evaluation
- Mitigation and Risk Assessment in Emergency Management
- Disaster Policy in Emergency Management
- Strategies for Intergovernmental Effectiveness in Emergency Management
Concentration in Business Foundations
Build competencies in the fundamental concepts of business administration with a concentration that aligns with your career advancement. Develop an understanding of management, marketing strategy, and financial performance.
Program Requirements
Concentration Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience
The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2.3 years to complete their degree.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Describe a time when you needed to communicate critical information quickly and clearly. What steps did you take to ensure your message was received and understood accurately?
- Describe a time you were responsible for developing or significantly updating an emergency plan. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and how did you ensure it was comprehensive and actionable?
- Tell me about a time you had to coordinate efforts between multiple agencies or departments (e.g., fire, police, public works, health) during an incident or exercise. What strategies did you use to ensure effective collaboration?
- Tell me about a situation where you had to work with someone on a team who had a very different working style or personality than yours. How did you adapt to ensure effective teamwork?
- Describe a time you encountered an unexpected obstacle or a problem that required you to think quickly and adapt your plan. What was the situation, and what did you do?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Communication
- Emergency Response
- Access Controls
- Emergency Preparedness
- De-escalation Techniques
- Physical Security Operations
- Operations Management
- Security Management
- Problem Solving
- Digital Literacy
- Investigation
- Report Writing
- Software Systems
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Research
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor’s degree in emergency management.
Choosing an Emergency Management Bachelor's Degree
Accelerate your career and find purpose in a rewarding field. Learn the skills you need to save lives and manage emergency services.