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911 emergency dispatcher education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, 911 emergency dispatchers don't need a college education. The most common degree for 911 emergency dispatchers is high school diploma with 30% graduates, with only 27% 911 emergency dispatcher graduates earning bachelor's degree. 911 emergency dispatchers who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Central State University. Some good skills to have in this position include ems, computer aided dispatch and ncic.

Popular 911 emergency dispatcher certifications include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certification (EMD), or Emergency Medical Dispatcher. To improve 911 emergency dispatcher qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in 911 emergency dispatcher education paths.

What education do you need to become a 911 emergency dispatcher?

What degree do you need to be a 911 emergency dispatcher?

The most common degree for 911 emergency dispatchers is high school diploma, with 30% of 911 emergency dispatchers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 27% and bachelor's degree degree at 26%.
  • High School Diploma, 30%
  • Bachelor's, 27%
  • Associate, 26%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 12%

What should I major in to become a 911 emergency dispatcher?

You should major in criminal justice to become a 911 emergency dispatcher. 30% of 911 emergency dispatchers major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a 911 emergency dispatcher include business and general studies.

Best majors for 911 emergency dispatchers

RankMajorPercentages
1Criminal Justice30.0%
2Business15.9%
3General Studies8.0%
4Medical Technician5.7%
5Psychology4.7%

20 best online courses for 911 emergency dispatchers

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1. Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

coursera

The Center for Humanitarian Emergencies is a partnership between CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch and the Rollins School of Public Health that drives global collaboration, research and evidence based training to improve the lives and well-being of populations impacted by humanitarian emergencies. - Center for Humanitarian Emergencies: http://www.che.emory.edu/ - CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch: http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/errb/index.html This course...

2. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness

coursera

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: (1) Identify the signs and symptoms associated with a patient in shock, to describe the major categories of shock, to assess a patient with signs of shock and formulate a plan for treatment to stabilize the patient for transport, (2) Identify a patient in cardiac arrest and to describe the components of high performance CPR...

3. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch

udemy
4.3
(702)

Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...

4. Personal Emergency Planning (Coronavirus - COVID-19 Edition)

udemy
4.5
(1,490)

Learn how to prepare for and respond to all the different kinds of emergencies that could befall you including COVID-19...

5. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

coursera

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a...

6. CertNexus Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist

coursera

The Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist (CEET) industry validated certification helps professionals differentiate themselves from other job candidates by demonstrating their ability to ethically navigate data driven emerging technologies such as AI, Machine Learning and Data Science.\n\nOrganizations and governments are seeking out ethics professionals to minimize risk and guide their decision-making about the design of inclusive, responsible, and trusted technology. An algorithm not...

7. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

udemy
4.4
(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

8. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

udemy
4.3
(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

9. Fintech Startups in Emerging Markets

coursera

The University of Cape Town’s specialization will give aspiring entrepreneurs the tools to understand the technological innovations and challenges the financial services industry faces in the emerging market context. The specialization covers foundations of the changing financial regulations, new technological applications like blockchain or artificial intelligence and design thinking for startups in emerging markets. Through real-world case studies, you will see how this technology can unlock...

10. Trauma Emergencies and Care

coursera

Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center. Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body...

11. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

udemy
4.3
(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

12. Truck Dispatcher - Working with owner operators

udemy
4.6
(724)

Work and earn...

13. Emergence of Life

coursera

How did life emerge on Earth? How have life and Earth co-evolved through geological time? Is life elsewhere in the universe? Take a look through the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth through the lens of the modern Tree of Life! This course will evaluate the entire history of life on Earth within the context of our cutting-edge understanding of the Tree of Life. This includes the pioneering work of Professor Carl Woese on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus which...

14. The Physics of Emergence: Introduction to Condensed Matter

coursera

We know the fundamental equations governing the motion of every atom in our brain and every electron in our computers - the motion of each and every atomic and subatomic particle on planet Earth can, in principle, be calculated from well understood physical laws. And yet, the natural world (and the behavior of humans and computers alike) continues to surprise us. This is because when large numbers of objects interact together, they can exhibit qualitatively new emergent phenomena, which are not...

15. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

udemy
4.4
(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

16. St John Ambulance: Official Baby & Paediatric First Aid

udemy
4.8
(294)

Essential Lifesaving First Aid & CPR Skills for Parents, Guardians & Carers in an Emergency Situation...

17. Exploring Emerging Technologies for Lifelong Learning and Success

coursera

This learning opportunity is an open-access resource for lifelong learning. The aim is to identify the value and implications of using established and emerging technology tools for personal and professional growth and acquire strategies to develop lifelong learning habits to keep pace with technology change. This course is targeted to the needs of ALL learners, including college students, faculty, current and career-seeking professionals, and anyone from across the globe with a desire to learn...

18. Financial Regulation in Emerging Markets and the Rise of Fintech Companies

coursera

This course explores the developments that have fueled the emergence of fintech companies around the world. Following the changing regulatory environment, especially since the 1997 Asian and 2008 global financial crisis, governments have enacted far-reaching new financial regulations for safeguarding financial stability. However, banks and financial institutions have found it increasingly difficult to be profitable in these new regulatory environments. Technology is taking leaps forward in...

19. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training

udemy
4.7
(2,132)

Learn important life saving first aid. Treatment of major illness and injuries...

20. Dog CPR, First Aid + Safety for pet pros + dedicated owners

udemy
4.8
(4,958)

Essential training to keep your dogs safe, attract clients & gain skills & confidence to take action in an emergency...

Average 911 emergency dispatcher salary by education level

According to our data, 911 emergency dispatchers with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $38,710 annually. 911 emergency dispatchers with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $38,365.
911 emergency dispatcher education level911 emergency dispatcher salary
High School Diploma or Less$37,189
Bachelor's Degree$38,710
Some College/ Associate Degree$38,365

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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