Emergency Management and Homeland Security, BS, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 120 | Estimated Time to Completion: 2-4 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $480.65 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer | Credit for Prior Learning
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Science / major
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Health and Human Sciences, College of (Dean's Office)
- School/Department
- School of Disaster Science & Emergency Services
Program Contact
- Ben Rochester, M.Ed.
-
Academic Advisor Sr.
330-972-6092
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) that prepares you for careers in disaster response, homeland security, and emergency preparedness. Developed in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this accredited program was the first of its kind to earn accreditation and the third EMHS bachelor’s program established worldwide.
The program combines leadership, crisis management, hazard science, and emergency planning through an all-hazards approach to prepare you for emergencies ranging from natural disasters and hazardous materials incidents to terrorism and cyber-related threats. You’ll learn from nationally recognized faculty with expertise in homeland security, disaster research, cybersecurity, and crisis leadership.
Delivered in a flexible 100% online format, the program is designed for students balancing work and other responsibilities. Accelerated pathways are available for eligible students, including opportunities to apply transfer credits, AP or CCP coursework, military training, and prior emergency response experience toward degree completion.
What You'll Learn
Build the skills needed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.
Skills Gained
Emergency preparedness and response planning
Crisis leadership and decision-making
Threat and risk assessment
Disaster recovery and mitigation planning
Project management and organizational communication
Core Practice
Coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts
Develop preparedness and continuity plans
Assess hazards and organizational vulnerabilities
Support disaster mitigation and public safety initiatives
Lead teams during crises and emergency situations
Key Topics
Emergency management and homeland security
Disaster preparedness and recovery
Terrorism and threat assessment
Cyber disaster management
Hazard science and crisis leadership
Career Outcomes
H2: Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared for careers focused on emergency preparedness, homeland security, disaster response, and organizational resilience across government, healthcare, nonprofit, and private sectors.
Job Titles
Emergency manager
Emergency preparedness coordinator
Homeland security specialist
Business continuity specialist
Risk management specialist
Public safety coordinator
Disaster recovery planner
Information security analyst
Where You’ll Work
Emergency management agencies
Fire and police departments
Hospitals and healthcare organizations
Federal and state government agencies
Private businesses and corporations
Nonprofit and humanitarian organizations
Additional Program Information
Emergency Management & Homeland Security Curriculum
The curriculum combines emergency management principles, leadership development, and applied learning experiences.
Core Coursework
Develop foundational knowledge in emergency management, homeland security, and crisis leadership through coursework focused on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Students complete coursework in areas such as:
- Disaster preparedness and response
- Emergency management and homeland security
- Crisis leadership
- Disaster recovery and mitigation
- Terrorism and threat assessment
- Disaster research methods
- Organizational supervision and leadership
- Project team leadership
→ View full program requirements
General Education Foundation
General education coursework helps strengthen communication, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and problem-solving skills that support leadership in emergency management environments. Students complete coursework in writing, speaking, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and global perspectives.
→ See full general education requirements
Electives and Specialization Opportunities
Customize your degree through EMHS electives and specialty coursework aligned with your career interests. Students may explore topics related to cybersecurity, emergency services, disaster leadership, public safety, organizational resilience, or hazard management.
Experiential Learning
Gain hands-on experience through internships and service-learning projects with emergency management agencies, hospitals, nonprofits, schools, businesses, and public safety organizations. Applied learning opportunities help students connect classroom concepts to real-world disaster preparedness and emergency response efforts.
Students have completed internships supporting real-world emergency response and preparedness initiatives during major crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accelerated Pathways
Qualified students may be eligible for the program’s three-year accelerated pathway if they enter with credits covering at least the first year of coursework. Credits may be earned through Advanced Placement (AP), College Credit Plus (CCP), transfer coursework, examinations, or approved placement testing.
The flexible online format allows students to complete coursework on a schedule that fits work and personal responsibilities. While the program typically takes four years of full-time study to complete, students entering with an associate degree may be able to finish in as little as two years of full-time study.
For more information on credit for prior learning at The University of Akron, email cpl@uakron.edu or contact Ben Rochester at rochest@uakron.edu or 330-972-6092.
Accreditation
One of Ohio’s Only Accredited Public EMHS Programs
The program is accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and was the first of its kind to earn accreditation.
Federal Partnerships
Built With FEMA and DHS Collaboration
Faculty collaborate with FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security on research, training, and national emergency management standards.
National Recognition
Nationally Ranked Emergency Management Degree
UA is ranked #14 in the country in online emergency management degree programs by Intelligent.com (2025) and is recognized as the top-ranked program in the Midwest.
Admissions Information
Learn about admissions requirements, tuition, and financial aid for the online EMHS program.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of [PLACEHOLDER]
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View tuition and fees for undergraduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support options, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans
- Scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance programs
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships
The University of Akron offers scholarship opportunities to help make your education more affordable. Students in the online Emergency Management and Homeland Security program may be eligible for both university-wide scholarships and scholarships offered through the School of Disaster Science & Emergency Services.
→ View undergraduate scholarships
→ View the School of Disaster Science & Emergency Services scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Admission to the online Emergency Management and Homeland Security program requires meeting The University of Akron's general undergraduate admissions requirements.
Applicants should:
- Meet undergraduate admission standards
- Submit official transcripts from previous schools attended
- Demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework
Additional considerations:
- Transfer credits may apply toward degree completion
- Students with military or emergency response experience are encouraged to discuss pathway options
- Credit for prior learning may be available for eligible students
→ View undergraduate admissions requirements
→ Additional admissions information
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of [PLACEHOLDER]
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View tuition and fees for undergraduate students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support options, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans
- Scholarships
- Employer tuition assistance programs
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships
The University of Akron offers scholarship opportunities to help make your education more affordable. Students in the online Emergency Management and Homeland Security program may be eligible for both university-wide scholarships and scholarships offered through the School of Disaster Science & Emergency Services.
→ View undergraduate scholarships
→ View the School of Disaster Science & Emergency Services scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Admission to the online Emergency Management and Homeland Security program requires meeting The University of Akron's general undergraduate admissions requirements.
Applicants should:
- Meet undergraduate admission standards
- Submit official transcripts from previous schools attended
- Demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework
Additional considerations:
- Transfer credits may apply toward degree completion
- Students with military or emergency response experience are encouraged to discuss pathway options
- Credit for prior learning may be available for eligible students
→ View undergraduate admissions requirements
→ Additional admissions information
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Online Emergency Management Homeland Security Faculty
Learn from nationally recognized faculty with expertise in emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster leadership, hazard science, and homeland security.
Emergency Management Homeland Security, BS, Online FAQs
Yes. Emergency management degrees often prepare students for homeland security-related careers because the fields overlap in areas such as disaster preparedness, crisis response, risk assessment, terrorism awareness, and public safety planning. Graduates may pursue opportunities with government agencies, healthcare systems, emergency response organizations, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations focused on security and emergency operations.
Emergency management can be a strong career path for individuals interested in public safety, leadership, disaster response, and helping communities prepare for crises. The field continues to grow as organizations invest in disaster planning, risk management, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness. Professionals in this area often work in meaningful, mission-driven roles that directly support community resilience and organizational safety.
The online Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security typically takes about four years of full-time study to complete. Students entering with an associate degree or previously earned transfer credits may be able to finish in as little as two years. Flexible online coursework also helps working professionals balance school with personal and professional responsibilities.
Emergency management and homeland security graduates may pursue careers focused on disaster preparedness, crisis response, public safety, and organizational resilience. Professionals in this field work for organizations such as emergency management agencies, fire and police departments, hospitals and healthcare systems, the FBI, the CIA, nonprofit organizations like the American Red Cross, and private businesses.
Common roles include emergency manager, emergency preparedness coordinator, homeland security specialist, risk management specialist, public health planner, business continuity specialist, and disaster recovery planner.
Salaries in emergency management and homeland security vary by role, experience, and industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, emergency management directors earn a median annual salary of approximately $86,000. Related careers may offer additional earning potential, including management analysts at about $101,000 annually and information security analysts at roughly $125,000 per year. Leadership experience and specialized expertise may increase long-term salary opportunities.
Earn Your Emergency Management and Homeland Security Degree Online
Ready to take the next step toward a meaningful career? Develop the skills to help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises.