5 POPULAR CONCENTRATIONS FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS

Before enrolling in an emergency management program, you should take a look at the emergency management degree concentrations available.

A concentration is similar to a minor. The main difference is that a concentration is a field of study from within the emergency management field. Choosing the right concentration can help you learn more about your chosen career field and help you succeed within that field.

As the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median salary for emergency management directors at more than $67,000 a year, it's especially important that you choose classes and a concentration that relates to your career goals.

Public Safety

If you want to work for the local or state government, consider choosing a concentration in public safety. Public safety focuses on keeping the general public safe in a host of different situations. You might take classes on terrorism, natural disasters and other catastrophic events. These courses teach you how to create plans designed to help a community. You'll also take courses on protecting the public from criminals.

Disaster Relief

When many people think of emergency management, they think of disaster relief specialists. Disaster relief is a popular concentration for those studying this topic too. It deals with the specific issues that arise before and after a natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane. You'll take classes that teach you how to arrange for medical help, what to do about displaced persons and what agencies and organizations can provide assistance. Selecting a disaster relief concentration may also let you take classes on preparing relief plans for government agencies and cities.

Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is one of the top government agencies operating today, which might explain why it's one of the more popular emergency management degree concentrations. Also known as Homeland Security, it's the department responsible for protecting American citizens from dangers abroad and domestically. Formed after 9/11, this government department works with the Navy, Border Patrol, and other organizations. The classes that you take will go over what agents do, how to investigate cases and similar subjects that prepare you for working in this department.

Fire Science

Students interested in working as firefighters might prefer a concentration in fire science. Fire science is a field of study that focuses on preventing fires and protecting individuals from fires. While some colleges offer this as a major, you can enroll in an emergency management program and opt for a concentration in the subject. It usually includes courses on fire prevention practices, fire combustion, fire analysis and fire management. Some programs also include courses that teach firefighters how to behave safely in the field.

Child Protection

You'll find a concentration in child protection available from a small number of colleges. This concentration is best for those who want to work as social workers and those who like being around children. Most programs include a course on risk assessment and evaluation. This class teaches you how to examine each child you work with and how to assess their individual needs. You'll also take courses in family and juvenile therapy to learn how to get those children and their families to open up to you.

Emergency management professionals work in the field and often help a large group of people feel safe and secure after a disaster such as a fire, earthquake or storm. Whether you want to work as a director for a nonprofit organization, or you prefer working for a government agency, you need to select the right concentration after enrolling in one of these programs. Some of the top emergency management degree concentrations include child protection, fire science, and public safety.

See also: Affordable Master's in Emergency Management Online Degree