There are different degrees that can prepare students for emergency management careers. These degrees often focus on planning, community and local, state and federal programs. The BLS states that emergency management directors usually have a bachelor’s degree in public administration or emergency management, but business and public health management degrees are potential options.
Emergency Management
The best degree choice is emergency management because it prepares graduates to efficiently and effectively direct and coordinate disaster prevention, relief response and community rebuilding efforts. Students learn how to properly respond to natural disasters, such as tornadoes and earthquakes, and human-caused crises, such as train derailing and mass shootings. Students will gain the leadership abilities required to work in a supportive and multidisciplinary environment. They will be prepared to assume greater leadership responsibility in helping communities prepare, reducing hazard vulnerabilities and publicly coping with disasters.
Resource: Top 10 Emergency Management Bachelor’s Degrees Online 2016-2017
These degree programs may offer classes on standard protocols, leadership techniques and communication systems. Classes on emergency management collaboration teach students how to work with private and public professionals in diverse and dynamic environments. There are usually classes on critical analysis and research, which helps students learn to make sound decisions, and classes on emergency management theories and applications. Coursework in emergency management policy introduces students to the administrative side of disasters and emergencies.
Homeland Security
A homeland security degree is an appropriate alternative for emergency managers because students learn about intelligence, counter-terrorism, national security and hazard management. These programs focus on organizational partners and members of the homeland security enterprise. This includes public utility companies, the Department of Homeland Security, state governments, local police departments and national public safety entities. These degree programs provide the intellectual and strategic training needed to become community leaders who contribute new ideas, identify new vulnerabilities and challenge policy assumptions.
These degree programs often include a comprehensive liberal arts education that builds the skills needed for entry or advancement in the homeland security field. These degree program are usually taught by highly credentialed or experienced instructors who have worked in government agencies and public safety organizations. Program topics include U.S. security policies, concepts and central operations. Other topics include the psychology of terrorism, disaster responses and leadership. Other classes cover emergency planning, disaster incident command and law enforcement functions.
Public Administration
Students who want a broader and more flexible degree can choose public administration. This degree produces public administrators who make sound policies, enforce programs and strengthen communities. This degree provides knowledge of fiscal budgeting, government structure, community dynamics, administrative management and local politics. Graduates acquire comprehensive knowledge of the structure and responsibilities of public administration. They learn about public departments, delivery systems and organizational behaviors. Graduates develop the skills to analyze and address disaster and development issues.
Course on government examine the functions and hierarchy of various local government departments. Students learn about the relationships between various community partners, nonprofits and departments. This degree will offer electives on disaster response management, which explores the required responses and recovery efforts needed to handle emergencies and disasters. Students learn about service delivery models, strategies and dynamics. Classes on public fiscal management analyze the methods of securing and administering public funds and budgets.
Anyone who wants to work in the field of community planning and emergency management should consider getting trained in risk management, which will help them analyze and judge hazards, and integrated project management, which will help them properly handle each incident.