Emergency Services Management

Why Emergency Services Management?

Emergency services managers provide leadership and direction during crises, ensuring safety, coordination, and effective response. In this program, you will learn how to lead emergency teams, manage resources, and maintain public safety while strengthening relationships within the community. You will build the skills needed to make strategic decisions under pressure and guide others through challenging situations.

At Mid-State, this fully online program is designed to meet the needs of working firefighters and EMS professionals. You’ll gain credit for prior learning and work experience while preparing to advance your career or continue toward a bachelor’s degree.

Develop leadership and communication skills essential for managing emergency operations.
Learn strategies to coordinate response teams and manage resources effectively.
Advance your career while earning credit for prior training and field experience.
Complete your degree entirely online with flexible scheduling for working professionals.
Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world emergency scenarios.
Transfer your credits toward a bachelor’s degree through established partnerships.

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Program Facts

Total Credits

61 Credits

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Program Length

Two Years

Delivery Method

Online

Location

Online

Start Dates

Fall, Spring

Estimated Program Cost

$11,512.74

View Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid Eligibility

Fully Eligible

View Types of Aid

Program Outcomes

Graduates leave ready to succeed in their careers. Each year, data from Mid-State's Graduate Survey and statewide reports show consistently high satisfaction and strong starting salaries. Here's a snapshot of what success looks like after graduation.

Career Opportunities

Assistant Chief

Captain/Lieutenant

Chief

EMS Supervisor

$84k Median Annual Salary

Recent program grads in Wisconsin earned a starting salary of $84,210. Source: Lightcast Data Set

Average Monthly Hires

34 of recent Wisconsin program grads landed jobs within six months of graduation. Source: Lightcast Data Set

100%

Mid-State Graduate Satisfaction Rate

Students leave proud, prepared, and confident in what comes next. Source: Mid-State Graduate Survey Results

Program Details

Take a closer look at what the program offers and what to expect.

Program Courses

Following is the list of courses within the program. Your course plan may vary, and you'll get a recommended sequence once you're enrolled. See the program information guide below for full course details or talk with your advisor.

Program Information Guide (PDF)

Full-Time Curriculum (61 Total Credits)

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) options are available for some courses.

Term 1: (17 Credits)

Course Number	Course Name	CPL	Credits
10503123	Occupational Safety and Health for Emergency Services	No	3
10503121	Emergency Services Safety and Survival	No	2
10503143 or 10531170	Building Construction for Fire Protection or Intro to Evidence-Based EMS	No	3
10196135	Conflict Resolution	No	3
10546112	Mental Wellness for Emergency Services	No	2
10801136	English Composition 1	Yes	3
10890102	GPS for Student Success	Yes	1

Term 2: (16 Credits)

Course Number	Course Name	CPL	Credits
10503122	Principles of Emergency Services Administration	Yes	4
10546100	Essential Concepts for Health and Wellness	No	3
10503195 or 10531171	Fire Behavior & Combustion or EMS Leadership Challenges	No	3
10804107 or 10806189	College Mathematics or Basic Anatomy	Yes or No	3
10809166	Introduction to Ethics: Theory & Application	Yes	3

Term 3: (15 Credits)

Course Number	Course Name	CPL	Credits
10503124	Emergency Services Instructor	Yes	3
10503125	Personnel Management for Emergency Services	No	3
10503126	Legal Aspects of Emergency Services	No	3
10503127	Community Risk Reduction	No	3
10809198	Introduction to Psychology	Yes	3

Term 4: (13 Credits)

Course Number	Course Name	CPL	Credits
10503128	Public Information and Community Relations Strategies, Tactics, & Incident Management or Complex Mass Casualty Incidents	No	3
10503156 or 10531173	Strategies, Tactics, & Incident Management or Complex Mass Casualty Incidents	No	4
10801198 or 10801196	Speech or Oral/Interpersonal Communication	Yes	3
10809122 or 10809172 or 10809196	Introduction to American Government or Introduction to Diversity Studies or Introduction to Sociology	Yes	3

Program Outcomes

Employers will expect graduates of this program to be able to:

Demonstrate the professional responsibilities of a fire or emergency services manager.
Demonstrate critical and creative thinking in the problem-solving process.
Apply research and best practices in the fire or emergency services professions.
Demonstrate the professional attributes necessary for a fire or emergency services manager to lead effectively.
Apply the legal, ethical, and regulatory standards that relate to the fi re or emergency services.

Employability Skills

Alongside your career training, you'll develop key workplace strengths. Explore the additional skills you'll build.

Employability Skills (PDF)

Technical Standards

To succeed in this program, you'll need to meet certain technical standards. These are the key skills and abilities needed for the program and future career success—with or without reasonable accommodations. Be sure to review them carefully before you apply.

Technical Standards (PDF)

Career pathways help you build your education step by step. Each stage offers one or more credentials that are recognized by employers and lead to real jobs—and you can keep building toward your career goals as you go.

Prior Learning

Certificate

Technical Degree

Associate Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Get credit for what you already know. You may be able to earn college credit for prior learning through skills you’ve gained through high school classes, previous college work, self-study, military training, jobs, or volunteer experience.

Credit for Prior Learning
High School Dual Credit
Mid-State Fast-Track – Open to high school students

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