Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.
Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management

REQUEST INFORMATION
Ready to learn more about the
REQUEST INFORMATION
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, transfer credits process, and financial aid options.
Request Information
Earn Your Degree as Early as:
34
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
4 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

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.
View Program Detail Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Military Transfer Credit

Servicemembers and veterans, get the recognition you deserve and earn your degree faster. With our PME2Degree® program, you can turn your military and occupational training into college credit. How many credits have you earned?

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.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

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.

See All Emergency Management Courses

Program Requirements

45
Core Credits
90
Major Credits
45
Elective Credits
180
Total Credits

Concentration Requirements

45
Core Credits
90
Major Credits
25
Elective Credits
20
Concentration Credits
180
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Options

Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing them separately. While you earn your BS in emergency management, you can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in one of the following areas:

  • Applied behavior analysis

  • Criminal justice

  • Education

  • Educational psychology

  • Higher education

  • Homeland security and emergency management

  • Human services

  • Instructional design and technology

  • Legal studies

  • Psychology

  • Public administration

For accelerated master's degree option details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience

The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2 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.

International Tuition Reduction

International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% international student tuition reduction.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

Get Started

Career Opportunities

Overall employment for emergency management directors is projected to grow through 2031, with approximately 900 job openings expected per year on average. With an emergency management bachelor’s degree, you gain the foundation to advance your career at various levels, from emergency management coordinator and emergency planner to emergency management director, public safety director, and more.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

Our Commitment

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.

View Brochure

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.

Starting a Career in Emergency Management

Visualize the road to a fire and emergency management career. See how a few small steps could help you stand out and get hired.

36 Resources for Emergency Management and Fire Service Professionals

In emergency services, you never stop learning. Discover additional tools for continued training and build a more in-depth understanding of the field.

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.

98%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395

Faculty publications in 2021–2022

More Than 38,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Connect with an AdvisorApply Online Today
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Bachelor's Completion Time and Average Net Price: The average completion time for Purdue Global online bachelor’s degree students who graduated in the 2022–2023 academic year was 2.3 years. Average net price reflects charges for all graduates, including those who transferred to Purdue Global, after application of scholarships, tuition reductions, grants (including federal Pell grants for undergraduate students), employer tuition assistance, and/or military tuition assistance. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023.

Credit Toward Master’s Degree: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about admissions requirements and transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Firefighting or EMS Jobs: Additional academy training and education may be required for firefighting or emergency management jobs.

Job Growth Projections: Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Emergency Management Directors, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/emergency-management-directors.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.