• Homeland security has become a very popular specialization in recent years, and as the government looks for new ways to keep the United States safe, they will need more people trained in this area.
• Energy management is crucial in an emergency situation such as a tsunami or nuclear power plant emergency; it is extremely important to ensure that energy can be restored as quickly and safely as possible.

• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
• PhD Degree: 4 to 7 years to complete

A bachelor's degree is the entry-level degree that is needed for emergency management positions, but many positions -- particularly those in the federal government -- require a master's degree. Because working for the U.S. government in emergency management is highly competitive, the more experience and education the candidate has, the better. Those wishing to work for the federal government or at the state level must be U.S. citizens and pass a background check. 

Graduates can gain valuable experience by taking part in an internship at FEMA or another government agency that works with emergency management situations. The internship is the best way to gain verifiable experience. The location of the internship does make a difference; therefore, students should seek out the best possible government agency to participate in an internship directly after graduating from college. (FEMA)

There is no one set of required certifications -- especially at the government level. Most agencies set up their own testing, if they require this at all and these examinations are not necessarily certifications, but rather a way to advance to the next level in a government agency or facility. Public and private sectors generally do not require testing or certification, but hiring managers rely upon education and experience. (BLS)

• Emergency Management Principles: This basic introductory course is designed to provide first-year students with some basic overview information into emergency management procedures and principles. Topics covered in the class include basic evacuation response, shelter in place procedures, and coordination of emergency responders. 
• Emergency Planning for Schools: One of the main jobs of most people who work in the field of emergency management is planning for disasters and other emergency response procedures. To that end, this class covers how to prepare emergency procedures in a school setting where protection of younger kids and adolescents is a priority.
• Terrorism in the U.S.: This course covers all forms of terrorism as they have been enacted against U.S. targets. This includes how terrorists successful carried out attacks as well as ways that terrorists have been caught and have operated before they were discovered.
• Hazardous Materials: This course covers the proper reaction and handling of hazardous materials to mitigate secondary injury or death from exposure or improper handling of potential harmful substances in a emergency situation. 
• Incident Command Systems: With a degree in emergency management, chances are good that the student will be exposed to work in the command and control center of a major incident. This course covers different types of incident command systems so that graduates are prepared to work with all manor of different equipment in the field upon graduation. 

No, typically, programs completed online do not require any on-site training.

• MBA in Public Administration: An MBA in public administration prepares graduates for work as a manager or administrator in a wide range of public and private offices. Public administrators are often managers in local emergency response and public works offices or in other public, nonprofit, and private management positions.
• Homeland Security: A homeland security degree prepares students to work in the fast-past environment of homeland security and terrorist prevention. Graduates learn to respond to and analyze terrorist threats and border security concerns.
• Applied Management: Applied management combines a more analytical approach to management with an applied approach to organizational leadership and change. Graduates are fully prepared to work in many different organizational structures to lead and transform the organization's organizational capabilities.