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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student-teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s degree in emergency management but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in emergency management programs.

What institution did we omit from this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.

1. Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AK

Arkansas State University has a master of science in disaster preparedness and emergency management (DPEM). This interdisciplinary degree program offers a theoretical framework for disaster preparedness, including mitigation, planning, response, and recovery. The degree program is sanctioned by the Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management Education (CAEME). Classes include theory development in DPEM, crisis communication in DPEM, and global perspectives in DPEM.

2. Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy has a master of science in emergency management degree program that prepares learners to be emerging leaders in both the public and private sectors. Students learn from experienced faculty how to better mitigate, prepare for, respond, and recover from incidents, hazards, and emergencies. Classes include principles of emergency management, emergency operations, and business continuity and disaster recovery.

3. Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville State University’s Department of Emergency Management has a master of science in emergency management that will prepare learners for events from minor emergencies to major disasters. The degree program connects theoretical knowledge to the practical skills learners need to lead the way. Classes consist of foundations of emergency management, disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation.

4. Metropolitan College of New York, New York, NY

Metropolitan College of New York has an accelerated master of public administration in emergency and disaster management degree. Learners investigate the world of emergency and disaster management and learn the skills necessary to supervise management in the event of a crisis. Classes include values and ethics for administrative decision making, research and analysis methods in disaster management, and foundations of business continuity management.

5. University of New Haven, West Haven, CT

The University of New Haven has a master of science in emergency management degree program. Only the second such degree program in New England, the curriculum prepares learners for successful roles in disaster mitigation and prevention. Students learn from degree program faculty who are leaders and innovators in the field, bringing both professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom. Classes include principles and practices of hazard mitigation, emergency incident management, and catastrophe readiness and response.

6. New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ

New Jersey Tech has a master of science in emergency management and business continuity that is perfect for corporate and public sector professionals working in emergency management and or business continuity. The curriculum prepares learners to meet all requirements of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) as well as the National Fire and Protection Association (NFPA). Specialty areas consist of information systems, environmental science, and management.

7. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University has a master of science in safety, security and emergency management, which prepares learners for positions of leadership in the field. The degree program offers a broad background in emergency management as well as the capacity to tailor your degree through concentration areas. Concentrations consist of homeland security, school safety, occupational safety, and fire and emergency services.

8. Auburn University, Montgomery, AL

Auburn University at Montgomery has a master of science in homeland security and emergency management. With a focus on preparing for and handling threats to public security and safety, AUM’s degree program is perfect for military personnel, law enforcement, and emergency management professionals. Classes include crime intelligence and analysis, strategic planning and budgeting, and intro to homeland security.

9. Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA

Anna Maria College has a unique master of science in health emergency management. Designed specifically for health professionals, the program equips learners with the leadership skills to manage elevated roles during emergencies and disasters. This interdisciplinary degree program incorporates technology; clinical practices; and emergency and disaster medicine with engineering, ethics, and computation. Classes include ethical theory, clinical foundations for health emergency management, and health emergency management operations and quality.

10. Boston College, Boston, MA

Boston University’s Division of Graduate Medical Sciences has a master of science in health care emergency management. This degree program prepares individuals to work across the spectrum of emergency and crisis management. Learners obtain hands-on training in exercise development and incident command, among other skills.

11. University of Colorado at Denver, Denver, CO

The University of Colorado has a master of public administration and a master of criminal justice degree with a concentration in emergency management. The concentration offers advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and homeland security. Classes in the EMHS concentration consist of principles of emergency management, law of all-hazards management, and hazard mitigation and vulnerability assessment.

12. North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University has a master of science in emergency management program that investigates how human beings design, interact, and cope with hazards, vulnerability, and associated events. Learners investigate the academic literature connected to emergency management and have opportunities to apply knowledge through research and/or a practicum. Classes include preparedness theory and practice, mitigation theory and practice, and response theory and practice.

13. UNLV, Las Vegas, NV

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas has an executive master of science in crisis and emergency management program. This professional degree program is designed to maximize the expertise of experienced professionals across an array of subjects. Learners get practical skills to help improve their communities through better leadership and management. Classes include crisis and emergency management, science of catastrophes, and evolution of terror.

14. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University’s Huizenga College of Business has a master of public administration degree program with a concentration in disaster/emergency management. This curriculum is designed to meet the emergency preparedness needs of the public sector, government, and nonprofits for in the new millennium. Classes include emergency management in the public sector; leadership in the public sector; and preparedness, planning, mitigation, and continuity management.