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Emergency management specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an emergency management specialist. Emergency management specialists usually study business, homeland security, or criminal justice. 57% of emergency management specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 688 real emergency management specialist resumes to see exactly what emergency management specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for emergency management specialists are the American University and the American University.

There are also many online emergency management specialist courses to help get the education required to be an emergency management specialist.

There are certain emergency management specialist certifications that you should consider. These emergency management specialist certifications include Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

What education do you need to become an emergency management specialist?

What degree do you need to be an emergency management specialist?

The most common degree for emergency management specialists is bachelor's degree, with 57% of emergency management specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 14%.
  • Bachelor's, 57%
  • Associate, 20%
  • Master's, 14%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become an emergency management specialist?

You should major in business to become an emergency management specialist. 20% of emergency management specialists major in business. Other common majors for an emergency management specialist include homeland security and criminal justice.

Most common colleges for emergency management specialists

Emergency management specialists often get their degrees at American University, University of North Texas, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for emergency management specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Emergency management specialist common collegePercentages
American University15.38%
University of North Texas13.19%
University of Phoenix8.79%
Ashford University5.49%
University of Maryland - College Park5.49%

Best majors for emergency management specialists

RankMajorPercentages
1Business19.7%
2Homeland Security19.7%
3Criminal Justice14.1%
4Management6.9%
5Political Science4.1%

Best colleges for emergency management specialists

The best colleges for emergency management specialists are Northeastern University, Boston University, and George Washington University, The.

An emergency management specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for emergency management specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become emergency management specialists.

1. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

2. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

3. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,230

Enrollment

12,161

4. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

6. Arizona State University at SkySong

Scottsdale, AZ • Private

In-state tuition

$10,317

Enrollment

29,636

7. Southwestern College

Winfield, KS • Private

In-state tuition

$30,150

Enrollment

1,314

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

20 best online courses for emergency management specialists

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1. Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

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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. Managing Cybersecurity Incidents and Disasters

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Most organizations plan for routine operations, but what happens when unexpected events overtake the routine? This course examines contingency planning used to prepare for and manage non-normal operations, including cybersecurity incidents – like hacking attempts, web site defacement, denial of service attacks, information disclosures; a well as other natural and man-made cybersecurity disasters. In this course, a learner will be able to: ● Define and describe the components of a cybersecurity...

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

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

4. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training

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4.7
(2,132)

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

5. CertNexus Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist

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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...

6. Fintech Startups in Emerging Markets

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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...

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9. Emergence of Life

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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...

10. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

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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...

11. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management

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Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...

12. Business Continuity Management BCMS & ISO 22301 Masterclass

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How to plan and prepare for unforeseen business disruption events through an effective, dynamic Business Continuity Plan...

13. Trauma Emergencies and Care

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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...

14. The Physics of Emergence: Introduction to Condensed Matter

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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...

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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

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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. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness

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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...

20. Disaster Risk Management and Korean Policies

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In the past, developing countries such as Korea lacked guidelines for exploring effective policies for disaster-resilient growth, resulting in unnecessary sacrifices in terms of time, resources, and human capital. Through the lessons learned by Korea, currently developing countries facing socio-economic development can build disaster resilience without sacrifices. Utilizing Korea's sound practices and institutional reforms, this course provides a valuable roadmap to prevent and mitigate the...

Top 10 most affordable universities for emergency management specialists

The most affordable schools for emergency management specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and florida international university.

If the best universities for emergency management specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for emergency management specialists.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

9. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,270

Cost of attendance

14,177

10. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for emergency management specialists

The hardest universities for emergency management specialists to get into are Northeastern University, Boston University, and George Washington University, The.

Some great schools for emergency management specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for emergency management specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

6. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

7. American University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,320

8. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for emergency management specialists

The easiest schools for emergency management specialists to get into are Notre Dame College, nyack college, and gwynedd mercy university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an emergency management specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for emergency management specialists.

1. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

6. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

7. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

Average emergency management specialist salary by education level

According to our data, emergency management specialists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $100,068 annually. Emergency management specialists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $89,830.
Emergency management specialist education levelEmergency management specialist salary
Master's Degree$89,830
High School Diploma or Less$50,701
Bachelor's Degree$74,395
Doctorate Degree$100,068
Some College/ Associate Degree$55,283

Emergency management specialist education FAQs

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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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