Emergency, fire, flood, crisis. If you’re seeking a master’s degree with a focus on emergency management, those words don’t scare you, they inspire you to leadership. Graduate programs that offer emergency management specializations can prepare you for a wide variety of career opportunities in the public sector—in agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Emergency preparedness careers abound in the private sector, where businesses of all sizes must manage risk and plan for possible crisis situations. And NGOs have their own needs as well, with some organizations, like the American Red Cross, responding to emergencies and disasters around the world.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% growth rate through 20261 in jobs for emergency management directors. “The importance of preparing for and minimizing the risks from emergencies will help sustain demand and employment for these workers,” states the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. If you’re ready to join the ranks of emergency management leaders, here are four degrees that can take you there:
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
This MPA degree offers a specialization in Emergency Management and is designed for public safety administrators and emergency responders seeking to advance their careers. Classes on topics like organizational management, strategic planning, and public policy analysis help create a framework around which administrators can build emergency preparedness plans to safeguard the public. This comprehensive online MPA program includes emergency management coursework covering issues like risk assessment, disaster mitigation, and emergency response and recovery.
MS in Criminal Justice
This degree’s specialization in emergency management is rooted in the study of criminology and the criminal justice system, recognizing the complex situations faced by those who plan for, or respond to, crisis situations. This master’s in criminal justice program is designed to teach leaders the skills they need to make sound decisions while working under extreme pressure. In addition to core emergency management courses like Critical Issues in Emergency Management, the curriculum includes classes like The Nature of Crime and Criminology, Controversies in Criminal Justice, and Victimology.
These two degrees, each with its own particular focus on emergency management, can put you on the path to an exciting and rewarding career tackling some of today’s most pressing issues. No matter which online graduate degree program you choose, you can apply what you’ve learned in your coursework immediately on the job. You’ll gain the skills to plan and lead a crisis response, key responsibilities in many emergency management jobs. At the helm, you can help an organization weather any storm that may come its way. Which degree program will you choose?
Walden University is an accredited institution offering innovative online master’s programs with a focus on emergency management. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy lifestyle.
1Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/management/emergency-management-directors.htm
2Source: www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public_policy
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.