Make a greater impact in your community—and your career. Drury University’s online Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Management and Leadership (ESML) is built for professionals in fire, EMS, emergency management, and 911 communications who are ready to step into leadership roles.
100% Online Flexibility
Keep serving while you study. Courses are built for working professionals with rotating schedules.
Scholarships for Public Safety Professionals
You serve others — let us serve you. Scholarships are available for professionals in various public safety roles. Affordable tuition, scholarships, and low fees make Drury an excellent educational partner.
Transfer Credits Welcome
We’ll help you get the credit you deserve. Drury evaluates prior college work, academy training, and professional certifications.
Learn from Experts
Courses are taught by faculty and field professionals who know what it takes to lead in high-stakes environments.
National Reach, Local Impact
As more states recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders, Drury’s ESML degree offers a timely path for career advancement anywhere you serve.
Accreditation
Drury University, founded in 1873, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The B.S. in Emergency Services Management and Leadership aims to serve students who currently work in or aspire to management and leadership roles in specific disciplines of emergency services.
The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
A concentration in Emergency Management equips students with specialized knowledge and skills in disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. This concentration focuses on understanding the dynamics of various emergencies—natural disasters, technological incidents, and human-caused crises—and developing effective strategies to manage these events. With this concentration, graduates are prepared for careers in federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, public safety departments, healthcare organizations, disaster relief organizations, and private sector crisis management roles. This concentration provides essential tools to navigate complex crises, manage resources, and protect communities during emergencies.
The fire service track prepares students to lead fire service organizations, manage emergency operations, and develop effective fire prevention and community safety strategies. This concentration combines technical firefighting expertise with advanced leadership, communication, and management skills essential for success in fire service leadership roles. This concentration prepares graduates for leadership roles within fire service organizations, such as fire officer, battalion chief, fire marshal, and fire chief. Graduates may also pursue roles in fire prevention, safety inspection, emergency response coordination, and public safety education. Through this program, students gain the skills necessary to lead teams effectively, manage emergencies, and promote fire and public safety in communities.
The EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Track is designed for individuals aiming to advance their careers in emergency medical services by gaining expertise in leadership, administration, and strategic planning within the EMS field. This concentration prepares students to manage EMS operations, lead teams, and enhance the quality of emergency care in a dynamic and high-stakes environment.
The Emergency Services Communication track is designed for professionals across public safety communications, including 911 telecommunicators, dispatchers, supervisors, managers, and directors, as well as those in fire, law enforcement, emergency medical, and allied communication systems. This concentration emphasizes leadership development, crisis communication, interagency coordination, and the strategic management of communication operations. Graduates will be equipped to lead communication centers, enhance collaboration among emergency services, and ensure the timely, accurate flow of information that supports effective emergency response and community resilience. This track prepares students for roles such as communications supervisor, training coordinator, operations, manager, and ECC director.
The Department of Continuing Professional Studies offers a concurrent credit option for undergraduate BS-Emergency Services Leadership and Management students meeting the requirements described in the Concurrent Credit Policy. Eligible students may enroll in up to 6 credit hours of selected graduate courses. See the Concurrent Credit Policy for the list of available courses.
Students pursuing an associate of science degree in emergency medical science are required to have completed an approved emergency medical science program for which credit for satisfactory completion will be awarded. A maximum of 30 semester hours of credit may be awarded for completion of the emergency medical science program and the national registry certification program. Credit is also awarded for military training in this specialty upon completion of national registry certification. Of the 30 hours, 16 semester hours may apply toward the major and 14 semester hours toward elective credit.
Students who have not completed the emergency medical science program prior to being admitted to Drury University must be placed on academic leave before beginning the necessary program coursework elsewhere. The Academic Leave of Absence form must be filed with the Registrar’s Office by the Last Day to Enroll deadline for the applicable semester as stated in the Academic Calendar.
The Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Science requires a minimum of 20 credit hours of coursework.
Kris Inman, Program Coordinator
kinman004@drury.edu
(417) 873-7350