Best Online Associate in Emergency Management
Find top-ranked online associate in emergency management degree programs to prepare students starting their career as a firefighter, police officer, or paramedic.
Top 10 Online Associate in Emergency Management
- Adelphi University
- St. Petersburg College
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Idaho State University
- Central Texas College
- Arkansas State University
- Wake Technical Community College
- College of Southern Idaho
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Schoolcraft College
- Adelphi University
- Arkansas State University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Idaho State University
- New England College
- St. Petersburg College
- Central Texas College
- Schoolcraft College
- Granite State College
- Coastline Community College
- New England College 100%
- Adelphi University 73%
- Arkansas State University 70%
- Eastern Kentucky University 64%
- Coastline Community College 30 to 1
- Cape Fear Community College 24 to 1
- St. Petersburg College 22 to 1
- College of Southern Idaho 22 to 1
- Schoolcraft College 21 to 1
- Arizona Western College 20 to 1
- Nash Community College 20 to 1
- Southwest Virginia Community College 19 to 1
- Wake Technical Community College 18 to 1
- Eastern Kentucky University 16 to 1
- Adelphi University $43,800
- New England College $41,518
- Eastern Kentucky University $9,544
- Bucks County Community College $7,920
- Granite State College $7,536
- Arkansas State University $6,888
- Frederick Community College $6,768
- Idaho State University $5,928
- Schoolcraft College $4,888
- Southwest Virginia Community College $4,620
- Adelphi University $44,425
- New England College $13,678
- Eastern Kentucky University $10,008
- Granite State College $9,810
- Idaho State University $8,601
- Arkansas State University $6,282
- Arizona Western College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Forsyth Technical Community College
- Lenoir Community College
- Coastal Carolina Community College
- Frederick Community College
- Granite State College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Nash Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Coastal Carolina Community College
- Nash Community College
- Lenoir Community College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Forsyth Technical Community College
- Frederick Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Cape Fear Community College
- Eastern Kentucky University 64%
- Arkansas State University 70%
- Adelphi University 73%
- New England College 100%
- Durham Technical Community College 6 to 1
- New England College 7 to 1
- Paradise Valley Community College 11 to 1
- Forsyth Technical Community College 11 to 1
- Adelphi University 12 to 1
- Lenoir Community College 12 to 1
- Central Texas College 13 to 1
- Idaho State University 13 to 1
- Bucks County Community College 13 to 1
- Coastal Carolina Community College 14 to 1
- Coastline Community College $1,104
- St. Petersburg College $1,943
- Forsyth Technical Community College $1,992
- Paradise Valley Community College $2,040
- Durham Technical Community College $2,067
- Cape Fear Community College $2,432
- Fayetteville Technical Community College $2,432
- Coastal Carolina Community College $2,432
- Wake Technical Community College $2,432
- Blue Ridge Community College $2,432
- Arkansas State University $6,282
- Idaho State University $8,601
- Granite State College $9,810
- Eastern Kentucky University $10,008
- New England College $13,678
- Adelphi University $44,425
Key Takeaways
- The associate degree in emergency management is an affordable way to get started on your college education. The typical associate degree will take about two years to complete.
- Many community colleges and two-year schools offer both traditional and online degree programs for students pursuing their associate degree in emergency management.
- Earning an online associate degree in emergency management can prepare you for a variety of entry level jobs in your field. Many students also continue into a bachelor’s degree program in emergency management or a related area.
Featured Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Management Degrees
An associate degree in emergency management is an affordable first step whether you’re just getting a start in your career, or you already have work experience as a firefighter, police officer, or paramedic. The online emergency management degree makes it possible to earn your associate’s degree without disrupting your professional responsibilities. With a growing number of online degree programs for emergency management professionals, you have plenty of options for advancing your career in the emergency management field.
Back to TopAlthough the traditional emergency management program is offered on campus, a growing number of community colleges offer an introductory emergency management degree program online. Students must typically earn 60 credits, whether completing a traditional emergency management degree program or earning an online emergency management degree.
Back to TopStudents may also have the option to earn either an associate of arts or an associate of science and to select from several degree variations, including emergency management and homeland security; fire and emergency management; and emergency and disaster management.
Back to TopCore courses cover topics like disaster prevention, infrastructure planning, and communications. Students may need other work experience or degrees beyond their associate to obtain or advance careers in this field.
Back to TopEarning an online emergency management degree can qualify you for a variety of entry level roles either in public service or in the private sector. This may include roles like emergency medical technician, first-responder, and Homeland Security agent. Student who wish to pursue leadership roles such as emergency management director or Certified emergency manager will likely need to earn a bachelor’s degree or a professional certification.
Back to TopBest Online Associate in Emergency Management Degree Programs
- #1 Best Online Colleges for Students Who Work Part-Time #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in New York 2024 #7 Best Online Colleges in New York 2024 #7 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
67%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/25
Online Degrees
AS in Emergency Services Administration
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #2 Best Online Associate in Web Design #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Florida #3 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Florida 2024
- #5 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #6 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
- #7 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #8 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #8 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2024
- #8 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
- #8 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
- #9 Best Online Associate in Finance
- #10 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #11 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
- #11 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #12 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
- #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #17 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #17 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
- #18 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
38%
Student body
33K
Online Degrees
AS in Emergency Administration And Management
Concentrations
- Emergency Administration And Management
- Homeland Security
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #17 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Kentucky 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Kentucky 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Colleges in Kentucky 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Kentucky
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Kentucky 2024
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Kentucky
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Kentucky 2024
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky 2024
- #4 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
- #5 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
- #5 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2024
- #6 Best Online Master's in Organizational Psychology
- #6 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
- #7 Best Online Master's in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
- #9 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
- #9 Best Online Associate in General Studies
- #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Sports Management Degree Programs for 2024
- #10 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #12 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #14 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
- #15 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
- #17 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024
- #4 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs
- #7 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
49%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1062/20
Online Degrees
AS in Paramedicine
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Idaho 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Idaho 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Idaho 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Colleges in Idaho 2024
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2024
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Anthropology
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Idaho
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Idaho 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Idaho 2024
- #4 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #4 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #9 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Master's in Healthcare Administration
- #13 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #14 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
- #17 20 Best Online Master's of Speech Pathology Degree Programs
- #18 Best Online Bachelor's of Finance Degree Programs for 2024
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students
- #23 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics
- #23 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
37%
Student body
15K
Online Degrees
AS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity #7 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Texas 2024 #10 Best Online Associate in Criminal Justice
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
17%
Student body
17K
Online Degrees
AAS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Arkansas 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Arkansas 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Research Universities in Arkansas 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arkansas
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Arkansas 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Arkansas
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Arkansas 2024
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arkansas 2024
- #3 Best Online Associate in General Studies
- #7 Best Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Ranked for Students in 2024
- #7 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2024
- #12 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
- #17 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
- #18 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #20 Best Online MBAs in Finance
- #22 Best Online Master’s in Emergency Management
- #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
- #9 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
53%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/22
Online Degrees
AAS in Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Accredited Online Trade Schools for Vocational Skills #3 Best Community Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #2 Best Online Associate in Graphic Design #3 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
31%
Student body
30K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Medical Science Bridge
- Required Credits: 75
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Community Colleges in Idaho 2024 #2 Best Online Associate in American Sign Language (ASL) Degree Programs #2 Best Online Associate's in Physics #3 Best Online Associate in Political Science
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2024
- #6 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #8 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #9 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
- #10 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #11 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #11 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #13 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs
- #14 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #16 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #20 Best Online Associate in General Science
- #21 Best Online Associate in English
- #22 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #23 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #25 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #25 Best Online Associate in Education
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
31%
Student body
14K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Medical Services
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Accredited Online Trade Schools for Vocational Skills #5 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #6 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #12 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
16%
Student body
13K
Online Degrees
AA in Emergency Management Technology
- Required Credits: 68
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship #3 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management #3 Best Online Associate in Business Management #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Michigan 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
17%
Student body
13K
Online Degrees
AAS in Fire and Emergency Services
- Required Credits: 60-78
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs #4 Best Online Associate's in Physics #4 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2024 #6 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #11 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #12 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #12 Best Online Associate in Human Services
- #14 Best Online Associate in Human Resources
- #16 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #16 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #18 Best Online Associate Degrees in California 2024
- #18 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #20 Best Online Associate in Psychology
- #22 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #22 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #22 Best Online Associate in Education
- #24 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #25 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
Tuition + fees
$1K
Graduation
23%
Student body
14K
Online Degrees
AA in Emergency Management
Concentrations
- Criminal Justice
- Homeland Security
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2-3 years
- Format: Online
- #9 Best Community Colleges in North Carolina 2024 #6 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #10 Best Online Associate Degrees in North Carolina 2024 #16 Best Online Associate in General Science
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
30%
Student body
23K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 69
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Community Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #6 Best Online Associate in Communications #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Pennsylvania 2024 #10 Best Online Associate in English
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Graduation
25%
Student body
10K
Online Degrees
AA in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 62-63
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
24%
Student body
7K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 67
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #6 Best Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity Programs in New Hampshire
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Hampshire 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in New Hampshire
- #3 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
- #3 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in New Hampshire 2024
- #6 Best Online Associate in Accounting
- #7 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
- #10 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
- #13 Best Online Associate in General Studies
- #13 Best Online Associate in Psychology
- #13 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts
- #15 Best Online Associate in Business Administration
- #17 Best Online Master's in Project Management
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #23 Best Online Associate in Human Services
- #25 Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #25 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
31%
Student body
5K
Online Degrees
AA in Homeland Security And Emergency Preparedness
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #4 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics #6 Best Online Associate in Web Design #19 Best Online Associate in Health Science Degree Programs #20 Best Online Associate in Finance
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
40%
Student body
4K
Online Degrees
AEM in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 70-72
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Online Associate in Biology #5 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies #5 Best Online Associate's in Physics #9 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024
- #9 Best Online Associate in Game Development
- #9 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
- #12 Best Online Associate in Web Design
- #13 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #16 Best Online Associate in Political Science
- #17 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #21 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #22 Best Online Associate in General Science
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
9K
Online Degrees
AAS in Paramedicine
- Required Credits: 63-75
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs #11 Best Online Associate Degrees in Virginia 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
44%
Student body
3K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Management & Preparedness
Concentrations
- Administration Of Justice Specialization
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
- #11 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
- #4 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
- #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in New Hampshire 2024
- #5 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
- #6 Best Online Associate in Small Business Management
- #6 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #7 Best Online Associate in Business Management
- #8 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
- #8 Most Affordable Online Associate Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in New Hampshire 2024
- #11 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #14 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #22 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
15%
Student body
3K
Online Degrees
AS in Business
Concentrations
- Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
AS in Behavioral Science
Concentrations
- Court Advocacy
- Criminal Justice
- Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
33%
Student body
7K
Online Degrees
AS in Emergency Management Track Ii
Concentrations
- Fema Independent Study
- Required Credits: 60
- Completion time: 2 years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
38%
Student body
5K
Online Degrees
AS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 66-67
- Completion time: 2 Years
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
29%
Student body
3K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 67
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Emergency Medical Science Bridging
- Required Credits: 68-71
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #11 Best Accredited Online Trade Schools for Vocational Skills #2 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs #15 Best Online Associate Degrees in North Carolina 2024 #23 Best Online Associate in Entrepreneurship
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
29%
Student body
10K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 65
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
50%
Student body
4K
Online Degrees
AS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Online Associate's in Physics #4 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs #5 Best Online Associate in Graphic Design #5 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024
- #8 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
- #11 Best Online Associate in Political Science
- #13 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #18 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #18 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
21%
Student body
12K
Online Degrees
AAS in Emergency Medical Services Paramedic
- Required Credits: 66
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AAS in Emergency and Disaster Management
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
AA in Theatre
- Required Credits: 64
- Completion time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Emergency Management Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolCrisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
Degree Level: Associate's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $4,335
- Avg. Expenses*: $15,574
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $54,450
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 5 years
- Job Growth: 3.32%
- Number of Jobs: 1,378,000
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Managers, All Other | 3.35% | $106,040 |
Emergency Management Directors | 3.39% | $86,794 |
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 3.12% | $84,600 |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | 2.42% | $70,208 |
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 3.61% | $68,169 |
Average Career Salaries
Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
---|---|---|
$57,806 | $91,167 | $140,184 |
Promising Job Markets
State | Cost of Living | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
#2 Delaware | 2% higher than average | $125,220 |
#3 Illinois | 7% higher than average | $109,061 |
#4 California | 26% higher than average | $143,829 |
#5 New Jersey | 13% higher than average | $126,666 |
#6 Colorado | 3% higher than average | $114,885 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Managers, All Other | $106,040 |
Emergency Management Directors | $86,794 |
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $84,600 |
Online Emergency Management Programs Looking for You
There are many amazing options for getting your online associate’s degree! You could also get your associate’s in information systems, human services, or communications! Look into a plethora of options and then decide which one works best for you!
Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions
If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.
No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?
If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.
In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.
Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.
Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.
As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.
In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.
Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.
If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).
While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.
The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.
Resources for Online College-Bound Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.