Emergency & Disaster Management
Program Contact
The Emergency & Disaster Management program teaches students to understand and respond effectively to the psychological aspects and public-health considerations of disasters, research methods and disaster planning and management, risk assessment, incident command, and resource allocation, and features a special focus on national preparedness.
Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to take the Emergency Management certifications from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and the exam to become a Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP).
The MS program is available in two learning formats:
- Online: a virtual program with a 6.5 day on-campus session during one summer.
- On Campus: a combination of in-person seminars and activities with related online material, and a 6.5 day on-campus session during one summer.
Emergency & Disaster Management Certificate Options
In addition to the MS in Emergency & Disaster Management degree program, Jefferson offers two certificate programs, one in Emergency & Disaster Management and the other in Business and Organizational Continuity.
Program Highlights
The MS in Emergency & Disaster Management program has many distinguishing elements. Students practice hands-on skills on real projects during an intensive on-campus week, partnerships and affiliations, build their networks professional organizations, and are eligible for a sought-after scholarship.
Experiential Learning: every student needs to connect to their communities and work to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classes. A minimum of 100 hours needs to be logged in a variety of settings. These volunteer opportunities span response activities with agencies such as the Red Cross ad Salvation, for example, shadowing or mentoring with an experienced Emergency Manager, teaching disaster/emergency management skills to the community or a variety of activities approved by the Director.
On-Campus Week: Real World Exposure
During the six and a half day in-person week, students get to practice their hands-on skills and hear from disaster medicine experts. Past year experiences have included:
- Hazard vulnerability assessments of Wells Fargo Center, home to the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers, The Philadelphia Art Museum and Lehigh Valley International Airport
- Full scale exercises at Einstein Medical Center, Einstein at Elkins
- A dramatic full scale exercise held here at the University
- A collapsed parking garage simulation exercise at a quarry
Take a look at some photos from Summer On-Campus Week, where students worked with a variety of agencies similar to those you would have in any community — airports, stadiums, corporations, hotels and universities.
Partners & Affiliations
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University (SLU) offers a biosecurity and disaster preparedness concentration within their Master of Public Health Program. Jefferson and SLU have an agreement that allows students in either program to complete up to two courses at the other institution as an elective. This allows our students to experience course work in specialty areas such as communicable diseases, emerging infections and epidemics.
Naval Postgraduate School
Through a partnership with the University and Agency Partnership Initiative of the Naval Postgraduate School and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Disaster Medicine and Management students have access to an expanded curriculum with UAPI partners, distance-learning technology, the Homeland Security Digital Library and other resources.
Professional Organizations
Jefferson has a student chapter in the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). The cost to join the University's chapter is $45 per year. This is an important network to establish and has many resources that you can use as a student.
The IAEM is a non-profit organization with more than 5,000 members worldwide. Its focus is on promotion of the "Principles of Emergency Management" and acting as a representative body of professionals who work and study as disaster management professionals.
Dean's Scholarship
Each semester, new students to the Emergency & Disaster Management Program are automatically considered for the Dean's Scholarship, which awards $121 or $167 off per credit. Awards are based on cumulative undergraduate grade point averages and program review criteria.
Rankings
Recently ranked as one of the best online Master’s in Emergency Management by The Best Schools.
