Barton’s Emergency Management/Homeland Security program provides both foundational education and advanced training for those entering the field or professionals seeking to grow in their careers. This flexible, fully online program is designed to meet the needs of working individuals and those new to emergency services.
Barton Benefits
At Barton, our areas of study are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to thrive in today’s world. Whether you're just beginning your educational journey or advancing your career, we offer flexible and rigorous programs that support your goals.
Why Barton?
- Career-Ready Skills
Gain the training and knowledge needed to enter the workforce, advance in your current position, or transfer to a four-year program. - Real-World Curriculum
Courses prepare you for a variety of roles in emergency planning, disaster response, homeland security coordination, and public safety administration. - Experienced Instructors
Learn from faculty with over 40 years of combined, hands-on experience in emergency management, law enforcement, EMS, and fire services. - Flexible Learning
Study online and balance your education with work, family, or service commitments.
Career Outlook
What Do Emergency Management Directors Do?
Emergency Management Directors are responsible for creating plans and procedures to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and other emergencies. They also play a key leadership role during and after crisis situations, coordinating response efforts and resources.
Where Do They Work?
Most emergency management directors are employed by local or state governments, but others work in:
- Hospitals
- Colleges and universities
- Private sector companies
- Nonprofit and relief organizations
How to Become an Emergency Management Director
While a bachelor’s degree is typically required for leadership roles, many professionals enter the field with a solid foundation in emergency services and gain experience through:
- Disaster planning
- Public administration
- Law enforcement, fire services, or EMS
Barton’s Associate degree program is a great first step, providing both the education and field-specific knowledge to begin your journey or advance your career.
Pay and Job Outlook
- Median Salary: $83,960 per year (May 2023)
- Job Growth: 4% projected increase from 2023 to 2033
- Annual Openings: About 1,000 positions per year
As experienced professionals retire or move into other roles, new opportunities are consistently available, making this a stable and meaningful career choice.
Earn Credit for Prior Learning
Students may be eligible to receive credit for:
- Workplace or industry training
- Military education and experience
- Professional licensure or certifications
- Previous college coursework
To qualify, students must be degree-seeking and submit documentation such as certificates, transcripts, or licenses. All evaluations are conducted upon written request and follow the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines. At least 15 of the required 64 credits must be completed through Barton.
Become a Cougar
Complete the Admissions checklist of requirements to become a Cougar today.
Barton classes are affordable and accessible, with sessions starting throughout the year.
You have many options to help you accomplish yours goals and we're here to help!
100% Online – Learn from Anywhere
Whether you're beginning your career or seeking advancement, Barton’s fully online format allows you to complete coursework on your schedule—anytime, anywhere.
Benefits of a career in Emergency Management:
- Competitive wages
- High-demand roles with strong job security
- A meaningful, service-oriented profession
Degree Maps
Degree Maps
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Emergency Management/Homeland Security (64 hours - degree guide)
Certificates
Emergency Management/Homeland Security Certificate
Emergency Operations Specialist Certificate
Emergency Planning & Mitigation Certificate
View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).
Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
OSHA 1006
Permit Required Confined Space 1.5 Credit Hours This course is designed to enable students to recognize, evaluate, prevent & abate safety & health hazards associated with confined space entry. Technical topics include the recognition of confined space hazards, basic information about instrumentation used to evaluate atmospheric hazards, and ventilation techniques. This course features hands-on exercises on permit entry classification and program evaluation.
OSHA 1007
Guide to Industrial Hygiene 2 Credit Hours This course is designed for those interested in increasing knowledge of industrial hygiene practices and related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and procedures. Topics include permissible exposure limits, OSHA health standards, respiratory protection, engineering controls, hazard communication, and sampling. Activities are focused on health hazard recognition and the use of OSHA standards and Safety and Health programs.
OSHA 1008
Principles of Ergonomics 1.5 Credit Hours This course will familiarize participants with the application of ergonomic principles for the reduction of musculoskeletal stress and strain in the workplace with the goal of controlling or preventing workplace musculoskeletal and nerve disorders. Participants will conduct a task analysis of jobs to identify risk factors and present plans for worker protection.
OSHA 1009
Fall Arrest Systems 1.5 Credit Hours This course provides an overview of state-of-the-art technology for fall protection and current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements. Topics covered include principles of fall protection, components of fall arrest systems, limitations of fall arrest equipment, and OSHA policies regarding fall protection. Course features exercises and activities using fall protection equipment.
OSHA 1010
Electrical Standards 2 Credit Hours This course is designed to provide the student with a survey of Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) electrical standards and the hazards associated with electrical installations and equipment. Topics include single and three-phase systems, cord and plug connected and fixed equipment, grounding, ground fault circuit interrupters, and safety-related work practices. Emphasis is placed on electrical hazard recognition and OSHA policies and procedures. Students will also receive instruction on the safe and correct use of electrical testing equipment.
OSHA 1011
Excavation, Trenching & Soil Mechanics 1.5 Credit Hours This course focuses on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and the safety aspects of excavation and trenching. Students are introduced to practical soil mechanics and its relationship to the stability of shored and unshored slopes and walls of excavations. Various types of shoring (wood timbers and hydraulic) are covered. Testing methods are demonstrated and activities conducted to allow students to use instruments such as penetrometers, torvane shears, and engineering rods.
OSHA 1012
Hazardous Materials 2 Credit Hours This course provides a detailed overview of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) general industry standards related to hazardous materials. Topics covered include flammable and combustible liquids, compressed gasses, cryogenic liquids, and liquid petroleum. Hazardous processes such as spraying and dipping operations are covered as well.
OSHA 1013
Machinery &Machine Guarding Standards 2 Credit Hours This course provides instruction provided on the hazards associated with various kinds of machinery and the control of hazardous energy sources. The course presents an approach to machinery inspection that enables participants to recognize hazards and to provide options to achieve abatement. These hazards include mechanical motions and actions created by points of operation and other machinery processes.
OSHA 1914
OSHA General Industry Regulations 2.5 Credit Hours This course will train students on Occupational Safety and Health Act, (OSHA) regulations pertaining to General Industry standards that are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations 29, parts 1910, 1903, and 1904.
OSHA 1926
OSHA Construct Industry Regulations 2.5 Credit Hours This course will train students on Occupational Safety and Health Act, (OSHA) regulations pertaining to construction standards that are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations 29, part 1926.
OSHA 1927
Fundamentals of OSHA Construction Industry 3 Credit Hours This course will instruct students on the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and regulations pertaining to construction standards set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations 29 part 1926.
OSHA 1928
Fundamentals of OSHA General Industry 3 Credit Hours This course will instruct students on the importance of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and regulations pertaining to General Industry standards set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations 29, Parts 1910. 1903 and 1904.
OSHA 1929
Intro to Fire Prevention 3 Credit Hours This course will provide fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention to students through the study of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and addressing the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigation and fire and life-safety education.
OSHA 1930
Practicum in OSHA 3 Credit Hours This practicum focuses Occupational Safety and Health practical experience in work practice controls and hazard recognition. Students will develop for a selected business standard procedures required to identify and correct hazards in the workplace.
OSHA 1931
Safety Training Methods for Adult Learners 3 Credit Hours Instruction consists of a review and study of the training methods and practices used to develop and incorporate safety job skills in the workplace.
OSHA 1932
Work Practices Controls/ Safety Audits 3 Credit Hours This course discusses the logical flow of hazard recognition to Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and development of successful safety cultures and programs that support the management process. Work practice controls and hazard recognition will provide the basic foundation necessary to identify and correct hazards in the workplace.
OSHA 1933
Workplace Accident Investigation 3 Credit Hours This course provides an introduction to basic accident investigation procedures and describes accident analysis techniques. The focus of the course is to assist students in gaining the basic skills necessary to conduct an effective accident investigation in a workplace. Topics include the primary reasons for conducting an accident investigation, employer responsibilities related to workplace accident investigations, and the six step accident investigation procedure.
OSHA 1970
OSHA Trainer Course in Standards for Construction Industry 3 Credit Hours This is an advanced course offered through OSHA’s outreach program that prepares and upon successful completion authorizes the student to instruct OSHA’s 10 or 30 hour construction courses.
OSHA 1971
OSHA Trainer Course in Standards for General Industry 3 Credit Hours This is an advanced course offered through OSHA’s outreach program that prepares and upon successful completion authorizes the student to instruct OSHA’s 10 or 30 hour general industry courses.
OSHA 1972
Respiratory Protection 2 Credit Hours This course will cover a variety of respirators, fit testing, and respiratory protection written programs for employers. This course meets the requirements of OSHA 2225 respiratory protection.
Occupational Outlook
Occupational Outlook
|
Quick Facts: Emergency Management Directors |
|
|
2023 Median Pay |
$83,960 per year |
|
Typical Entry-Level Education |
Bachelor's degree |
|
Work Experience in a Related Occupation |
5 years or more |
|
On-the-job Training |
None |
|
Number of Jobs, 2023 |
12,400 |
|
Job Outlook, 2023-33 |
4% (As fast as average) |
|
Employment Change, 2023-33 |
500 |
Discover Career Paths
Discover Career Paths
Visit the What Can I Do with My Major? webpage to find helpful resources on career paths, employers and more!
Admissions
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