Master of Science in Emergency Management Online

Build upon your credentials in disaster and emergency preparation, planning, mitigation, response and recovery with advanced planning concepts and skills. The program also provides valuable information that helps students prepare for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam.

1/10/25 Apply by
1/21/25 Start class Apply Now
Apply Now

Program Overview

Learn more about Millersville’s M.S. in Emergency Management online

Gain advanced practical and theoretical knowledge from experienced emergency management professionals with an online Master of Science in Emergency Management. This highly respected program is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding and preparing for disasters of all kinds. The program also provides valuable information that helps students prepare for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam. The curriculum covers all crucial elements of emergency management including mitigation, communication, response, recovery and science.

This online emergency management master’s degree includes courses on industrial emergency preparedness, natural disasters primers, planning, mental health and trauma, social dimensions of disasters and more.

Students from a variety of backgrounds, with or without military or emergency management experience, benefit from the wide-ranging curriculum. A capstone experience integrates theory and skills within a field experience practicum, which can be completed in your current position if you already work in emergency management and are able to work on a project that is not part of your current duties.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts in emergency management through the FEMA Core Competencies
  • Identify and apply the theoretical underpinnings of emergency management to practice in the profession
  • Develop plans and demonstrate an understanding of the preparedness concepts in the practice of disaster management
  • Develop and compose both formal and informal written communications as required in the emergency management profession
+Learning outcomes
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts in emergency management through the FEMA Core Competencies
  • Identify and apply the theoretical underpinnings of emergency management to practice in the profession
  • Develop plans and demonstrate an understanding of the preparedness concepts in the practice of disaster management
  • Develop and compose both formal and informal written communications as required in the emergency management profession

Careers in emergency management:

  • County Health Department Public Health Emergency Planner
  • County Emergency Management
  • Homeland Security Planning Division Chief
  • Homeland Security Consultant
  • Emergency Management Senior Associate
  • Healthcare Emergency Management Deputy Director
+Careers in emergency management:
  • County Health Department Public Health Emergency Planner
  • County Emergency Management
  • Homeland Security Planning Division Chief
  • Homeland Security Consultant
  • Emergency Management Senior Associate
  • Healthcare Emergency Management Deputy Director

Also available:

Millersville University offers a variety of affordable degree programs in a flexible online format. Explore our full range of programs.

$18,150* Total Tuition
As few as 11 months Duration
30 Credit Hours
Apply Now

Need more information?

Call 855-741-3189

Call 855-741-3189

Tuition

An online emergency management master’s degree is affordable

Millersville University offers accessible and affordable online MSEM programs. Take advantage of affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for our MS in Emergency Management online program.

View FULL TUITION INFORMATION+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
MSEM $605 $1,815 $18,150
*Tuition listed is total cost for in-state resident including fees. Total cost for out-of-state resident with fees is $21,082.50. Total cost excludes application fee. Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time; changes become effective on the date of enactment.

Tuition breakdown:

$18,150* Total Tuition
$605 Per Credit Hour

Calendar

Make note of these important dates

Millersville online programs are flexible and convenient, offering multiple start dates per year. View the calendar to choose your start date and review the corresponding deadlines.

View full calendar  + 

7-week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Spring 11/21/251/10/251/14/251/21/251/21/25
Spring 23/17/253/7/253/11/253/17/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/255/2/255/5/255/12/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/20/256/23/256/30/256/30/25
Fall 18/25/258/15/258/18/258/25/258/25/25
Fall 210/20/2510/10/2510/13/2510/20/2510/20/25

The course drop deadline is two days after each term start. Make sure to have any course adjustments made prior to that deadline.

Now enrolling:

1/10/25 Apply Date
1/21/25 Class Starts

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your next degree?

Apply Now

Admissions

Find out how to apply to our MS in Emergency Management

Review our streamlined admission process for this online MS program. Requirements for the MS in Emergency Management online program include:

View all admission requirements +

  • Complete the online application and submit application fee(s)
  • Official transcript(s) from all previous colleges or universities attended
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
  • Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
    • If GPA is less than 2.8, must have applicable work experience
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • One statement of purpose on why you are interested in the field of emergency management
  • Professional resume

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA of 2.8
  • Letters of recommendation

Courses

Discover what you will learn as you earn your MSEM

Students in the MS in Emergency Management online program must complete a total of 30 credit hours. Required coursework includes 8 core courses (24 hours) and 2 elective courses (6 hours).

Expand All
All courses below are required.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
History and perspectives of the field, hazards concepts and taxonomies, all-hazards approach, phases of emergency management, risk assessment, risk communication, emergency management functions, sustainable development, best practices, the EOC, the disaster plan, CEM, IAEM, forging intra- and intergovernmental relationships.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The emergency-management professional is engaged in an ever-increasing workload involving reporting, budget preparation, grant applications and communicating with the public. This course is designed to enhance the necessary skills for the emergency manager to successfully negotiate the increased demands of the profession.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An overview of the findings of disaster sociology, including, but not limited to, an examination of the social science definition of disaster, the disaster mythology, the impact of the media, organizational challenges during disaster, creating and maintaining a disaster-resilient community, national and international disaster researchers and the research literature.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This in-depth course provides the emergency responder with a greater appreciation of the challenges, responses and adjustments encountered by those exposed to disastrous events.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Natural Science examination of natural or environmental hazards and their associated risks. The overview will include hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of industrial and societal risks associated with the manufacture, handling, storing and transporting of biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological materials.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Draws on communication theory to examine common challenges and best practices encountered in emergency, crisis and risk communication situations by public information officers, public authorities, first responders, and health professionals. Provides the opportunity to develop strategies and communication solutions in interpersonal, mediated, social media, and public contexts.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
International organizations and the challenges and experiences they commonly encounter in mitigating and responding to disaster events; considers if a global economy, global village will help or hinder future efforts.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In-depth analysis of planning methodologies and constructs as well as pitfalls and limiting factors in the development and execution of emergency management plans at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. Origins of emergency management planning, applicable policies and legislation, historical incident review and analysis, contemporary and emerging planning doctrine, and advanced planning concepts.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A capstone experience in which emergency management knowledge and skills are applied and integrated within a field experience. Those already working within an emergency management related career will use their current position as the basis for completing a project applicable to enhancing their current skills and applying best practices. The course will provide you with the opportunity to participate in supervised emergency management work activities, or focused research, that provide experiential and research-based learning in the application and integration of the theory and skills acquired in earlier coursework. In order to take EMGT 693, permission is required of the program coordinator and also completion of at least 24 credits of coursework.

Request Information

Submit this form, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Or call 855-741-3189

By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Millersville University (MU) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend MU or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.

Apply Now

Take the Next Step

Start your application today!
Apply Now
Apply Now
or call 855-741-3189 855-741-3189
for help with any questions you may have.

Related Articles