The benefits of an associate degree in emergency services management

If you have ever wanted a job that lets you help people or wanted to hone your leadership skills in your current job, consider earning an associate degree in emergency services management. If you are currently working in the fields of firefighting or law enforcement, or as an emergency medical technician (EMT), earning an emergency services degree could help you advance to the position of supervisor, director of emergency services, or operations manager.

Emergency Services Management Degrees and Related Careers

An online associate degree in emergency services management typically prepares you to enroll in a bachelor's degree program in emergency services management or for a more advanced role as a paramedic, law enforcement officer, or firefighter. An associate degree in emergency services management can help you understand the management side of your current career, but typically must be combined with further training in emergency services management or years of experience to lead to a supervisory position.

The number of EMT and paramedic jobs and police officers is expected to grow about as fast as the average between 2008 and 2018, while the employment of firefighters is expected to grow by 19 percent, much faster than the average. If you're wondering what you're likely to earn as a paramedic, fire fighter, or police officer, check out the following Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) information about 2009 mean annual salaries for each career field:

• EMTs and paramedics: $33,020
• Fire fighters: $47,270
• Police and sheriff's patrol officers: $55,180

Paramedics must receive training and be certified by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and be licensed to practice in their states. Some states require or offer certification for firefighters; there are also specific agencies that train police officers, who are required to graduate but don't need to be certified.

Earn an Online Associate Degree in Emergency Services Management

One of the greatest advantages of earning an online associate degree in emergency services management is flexibility. If you're already working in an emergency services field, you may not be able to attend traditional campus courses. Earning an emergency services management degree online allows you to study when and where it's convenient for you. Your degree itself likely won't involve any kind of internship or apprenticeship. Depending on your field of expertise, you can expect to take courses such as:

• Emergency services technology
• Planning for public emergency management
• Emergency services administration
• Emergency services and finances
• Legal and ethical issues in emergency services

To help pay foro your education, make sure to research federal and state financial aid and scholarships and tuition reimbursement that may be offered by your employer. To begin the financial aid process, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). State scholarships and loan forgiveness programs are available in specific fields such as fire fighting and law enforcement.

For more information about earning an online associate degree, or education opportunities related to the emergency services management field, check out WorldWideLearn.com's pages on online homeland security degree programs, campus diplomas and degrees in public safety or online associate degree programs.

• Degrees by Level