Online Master of Science In Emergency Management

Pursuing a Master's in Emergency Management can be a valuable investment for those looking to lead in emergency preparedness, response, and mitigation. Our 100% online program aligns with FEMA standards, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to address these growing challenges.

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When emergencies arise, you’ll be prepared to lead

The demand for skilled emergency managers is on the rise as the frequency of weather-related, environmental, and terrorist threats increases.

Our Online Master of Science in Emergency Management program is designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge in disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. The curriculum includes courses on the social effects of various disasters, the crucial role of the emergency manager, and strategies for disaster preparedness in both public and private sectors.

Why earn a Master’s in Emergency Management?

It will be your primary goal to establish contingency plans used to coordinate with various local, state, and federal agencies in the case of a disaster. Our Master’s in Emergency Management will help you learn how to correctly prepare these plans and prepare you to manage emergencies in your community in the most efficient way possible. This degree will also help you understand the most up-to-date strategies for dealing with disasters and how to provide the most effective aid to the affected area.

With a Master’s in Emergency Management, you will be able to:

  • Assist in preparing and maintaining disaster operations plans
  • Train personnel on what to do in an emergency
  • Operate and maintain nuclear, biological, and chemical detection and decontamination equipment
  • Conduct surveys to determine needs in the event of an emergency
  • Monitor disaster preparedness activities and training operations
  • Serve as a member of emergency response teams

Benefits of Our Online Master's In Emergency Management

  • Become a leader. When an emergency arises, you’ll be prepared to lead, mitigate, and respond.
  • Designed with working professionals in mind. With no set class times and a minimum requirement of one course per term, our program is perfect for achieving work-life-school balance.
  • Earn your master’s degree from the masters. The University of New Haven is recognized as having one of the first fully-online university programs in Emergency Management in the U.S. developed concurrently with FEMA’s guidelines for emergency management in higher education.
  • Real-world experience. As part of the curriculum, you’ll create an emergency response plan for organizations and government entities.

Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$116K

Personal Services Manager

7% Growth 2021-2030

$93K

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

5% Growth 2021-2030

$76K

Emergency Management Directors

3% Growth 2021-2030

Career Opportunities with a Master's in Emergency Management

Graduates with a Master's in Emergency Management can pursue various roles, such as emergency management directors, disaster recovery managers, and risk management specialists. These positions are crucial in planning and executing strategies to protect communities and organizations from the impacts of disasters.

The University of New Haven graduates are putting their knowledge into action for employers nationwide, including:

  • FEMA
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Branford Fire Department
  • Gaylord Hospital
  • CT Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
  • Yale-New Haven Hospital
  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Sikorsky Aircraft

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), emergency management is one of the fastest-growing career fields, with an expected increase of at least 1,000 positions per year. The median annual earnings for Emergency Managers is $59,770 per year, with the top 10% percent earning over $107,810.

Selected Courses and Programs

Our 30-credit online master’s program covers a broad curriculum of theories and research methods relevant to Emergency Management. Courses are offered in 6 to 7.5-week terms and provide students with a solid foundation for success.

  • This course will provide the student with an understanding of the principles and practice of hazard mitigation in the United States at the local, state, regional, and federal levels of governance, emphasizing the importance of avoiding or preventing future and recurring losses of life and damage to public and private property. Based on this understanding, a further objective of the course is to familiarize students with the tools, techniques, resources, programs, intergovernmental relationships, and broader social context involved in planning for and implementing hazard mitigation. Case studies, exercises, and discussions will be used to encourage critical review of the philosophy and principles of emergency management.

  • This course will provide a study of the effective organization and management of emergency resources at various fire and large-scale emergency incidents. Includes a review of national standards and federal regulations impacting emergency incident management.

  • Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to describe and discuss the characteristics of catastrophic events and the differences in strategies, techniques, and tools that are needed to prepare for and coordinate the response to catastrophes as compared to the disasters that form the core assumption of most modern emergency management work. This course is designed to help students step into a leadership role in catastrophe readiness and response. Case studies, exercises, and discussions will be used to encourage critical review of the philosophy and principles of emergency management.

  • This course will provide an overview of empirical vs. theoretical approaches; human behavior in disaster, myths and reality; group disaster behavior; community social systems and disaster; cultures, demographics, and disaster behavior distinctions, and model-building in sociological disaster research.

  • The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Masters of Science in Emergency Management, check out the Academic Catalog:

    Emergency Management, M.S.

    Emergency Management Certificate

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Meet Our Faculty

Student Testimonials

The University of New Haven’s online M.S. in Emergency Management has provided an exceptional learning platform allowing me to succeed in this expanding field. The individualized attention extended by the University’s staff has made the online experience more personable than I could have imagined. My professors have been outstanding and have provided my classmates and I the necessary tools, information and current practices emergency managers use today. Since enrolling in the program, I have incorporated many of the models and knowledge gained from my classes and applied them to my current job tasks at the fire department.

- Lou Cavaliere

I am continually impressed by the University of New Haven staff and professors. As a veteran and out-of-state student, I was unsure at the level of attention I would receive from any online master’s program, but as I am nearing the end of my degree, I know I made the right choice by attending UNH. The admissions staff for the Emergency Management Graduate Department, VA liaisons, financial aid personnel, and university bookstore have all gone above and beyond to respond quickly and address any concerns I have had. All of my professors have been readily available through email or phone to answer any questions, working with my schedule and the time difference. I would highly recommend this university to anyone looking for a flexible, challenging, and thorough online Emergency Management program!

- Collen Kragen

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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  • An advanced degree from the University of New Haven will help you take your career to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities.

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  • The University of New Haven Graduate School is an excellent value with reasonable tuition. Of course, you will still have bills to pay and the Financial Aid office can help.

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