MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual Degree

College

Population Health

Degree Earned

Master of Public Health 

 Master of Science in Emergency & Disaster Management

Program Type

Hybrid

Public Health Program Contact

Name: Rosemary (Rosie) Frasso, PhD, MSc, CPH
Position: Program Director

Public Health Program Contact

Name: Zoe Van Orsdol, MA, MPH
Position: Assistant Program Director

Emergency & Disaster Management/Master of Public Health Program Contact

Name: David Nitsch, BS, MPH, NRET-P
Position: Program Director, Emergency & Disaster Management

Admissions Contact

Name: April Smith
Position: Admissions and Recruitment Manager

Contact

Contact Number(s):

The MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health dual degree is a partnership between the Master of Science in Emergency & Disaster Management (EDM) degree program at the Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP) and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program at the Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH). It is open to students applying to or are currently in either program.

This dual degree offers an opportunity for students to prepare to work at the intersection of public health and emergency and disaster management. When a disaster strikes or health emergency arises, nimble, well-trained professionals need to be ready to restore order, organize responses, and quickly establish interventions to protect health and address pressing needs for food, water, or health care in affected communities.

The Emergency & Disaster Management program is prepared to support MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health dual degree students through coordination of an experiential learning and capstone topic and development. The Public Health program is flexible, tailored, and high touch and supports MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health dual degree students as they integrate public health tools and knowledge with emergency management experience. Emergency & Disaster Management courses are available either online or in-person on the East Falls campus. Public health courses are held in-person on the Center City campus.

MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health (MPH) dual degree students take the following coursework (36 credits) to earn the Master in Public Health (MPH):

  • PBH 501: Foundations of Public Health
  • PBH 500: Foundations of the US Healthcare System
  • PBH 502: Society, Behavior & the Environment
  • PBH 504 or PBH 505: Fundamentals of Health Statistics
  • PBH 506: Fundamentals of Epidemiology
  • PBH 509: Foundations of Policy & Advocacy
  • PBH 510: Health Research Methods
  • PBH 520: Program Planning, Implementation, & Evaluation
  • PBH 651: Clerkship- Applied Practice Experience (joint with EDM)
  • PBH 609: GIS Mapping
  • Plus 3 electives

MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health (MPH) dual degree students take the following coursework (27 credits) to earn the Emergency & Disaster Management degree:

  • EDM 610: Foundations in Emergency Management
  • EDM 631: Organizational Management and Communications in Disasters
  • EDM 635: Psychological Aspects of Disasters
  • EDM 639: Disaster Exercise and Drills
  • EDM 640: Logistic Management for Disasters
  • EDM 643: Public Health Implications of Disasters
  • EDM 755: Capstone Experience in EDM (joint with MPH)
  • Plus 2 electives

Interested applicants may apply to the MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health (MPH) dual degree through the Emergency & Disaster Management application portal. Students currently in the Master in Public Health (MPH) program who wish to complete the Emergency & Disaster Management dual degree may apply to the Emergency & Disaster Management program by contacting the Emergency & Disaster Management Program Director, David Nitsch, and scheduling a time to discuss your interest in the dual degree.

Students currently enrolled in the Emergency & Disaster Management program who wish to complete the MS in Emergency & Disaster Management/Master in Public Health (MPH) dual degree may apply to the Master in Public Health (MPH) program by completing a Student Status Change Request and submitting it along with a personal statement of 300-500 words describing their interest in the program, including their personal experiences, and how the program can help the student achieve their career goals. Please request the form from JCPH.Admissions@jefferson.edu and the statement can be sent to that address.

Accepted students work with academic advisors to receive individualized course progression plans. Scholarships may be available.

Jefferson's Master of Public Health (MPH) program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).