Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
2-3 years
Credit Hours:
30
Develop the skills needed to strengthen resilience and reduce the impacts of disasters.
UNT's Master of Science in Emergency Management and Disaster Science provides an in-depth knowledge of the diverse theoretical perspectives and empirical research traditions that underlie and inform the practice of emergency management.
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Why Earn a Master's in Emergency Management and Disaster Science?

The Master of Science degree in Emergency Management and Disaster Science provides students with in-depth knowledge of diverse theoretical perspectives and empirical research traditions that underlie and inform the practice of emergency management. This degree provides a solid academic and practical foundation for those seeking to begin or advance their careers in emergency management or pursue doctoral studies in a hazard- or disaster-related discipline.

In addition to taking required courses in emergency management theory, methods and statistics, students may select from a range of electives covering such topics as challenges of disaster response, disaster preparedness and management, community recovery and resilience, and international disasters. Our program also offers:

  • Flexibility to tailor your degree to your own professional interests
  • Proximity to FEMA Region VI offices and unique learning opportunities
  • Opportunities to participate in research under a faculty member's supervision
  • Study abroad opportunities
Marketable Skills
  • Scientific literacy
  • Evidence-based decision making
  • Oral and written communication
  • Continual learning
  • Capacity building

Emergency Management and Disaster Science Master's Highlights

The department’s faculty have earned multiple national awards from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Higher Education Program, received numerous research grants from the National Science Foundation, and served in advisory roles for such agencies as the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The department is home to the Emergency Administration and Planning (EADP) program, which was established in 1983 as the nation's first bachelor's degree program in emergency management.
The Graduate Student Writing Support office assists with developing writing skills, and the Office of Research Consulting offers assistance with statistical research.
The Toulouse Graduate School® offers several professional development workshops, including Master's and Dissertation Boot Camps. Many of the workshops are available online for your convenience.
Primary emphasis is placed upon the human dimensions of hazards and disasters, and enhancing community and societal resilience to a wide range of threats.

Career Outlook

Recent graduates are employed as:

  • Emergency Management Coordinator
  • Resilience Coordinator
  • Emergency Management Analyst
  • GIS Applications Administrator
  • Business Continuity Specialist

Recent graduates are employed by:

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Texas Division of Emergency Management
  • North Central Texas Council of Governments
  • Tarrant County Office of Emergency Management
  • Dallas County Office of Emergency Management

Emergency Management and Disaster Science Master's Courses You Could Take

Disaster Research Methods (3 hrs)
Provides an overview of research methods in emergency management and disaster science, including the major goals of empirical research, research design, and the relationship between theory and research. Topics include qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, levels of measurement, descriptive statistics, thematic coding, and ethics of research.
Applied Statistics in Disaster Science (3 hrs)
Introduces students to a variety of statistical analyses used in the study of disaster science. Focus is on the practical application of a variety of statistical analyses including bivariate analysis, correlation and various forms of regression analysis techniques.
Challenges of Disaster Response (3 hrs)
Focuses on a variety of problems that arise before, during and after emergencies and disasters. Such challenges include warnings and evacuations, the convergence of people and material toward the disaster site, and working with the media, among others. The objective is to develop sufficient familiarity with these subjects to be able to address them with authority in professional settings.
Community Recovery and Resilience (3 hrs)
Provides an overview of theoretical frameworks and empirical methods used to study disaster recovery and resilience. Topics include spatial and temporal models of recovery, economic and housing recovery, index and scorecard construction, adaptive versus inherent resilience, and risk governance.
International Disaster Relief (3 hrs)
Focuses on the complexities and theoretical perspectives of disaster response and recovery on an international level. Students learn about the interaction between humanitarian aid and politics, and the overall efficacy of humanitarian aid in disasters.
Emergency Management Theory and Practice (3 hrs)
Explores the central conceptual and theoretical topics and debates that inform the discipline and practice of emergency management. Focus centers on the nature of disaster, common misperceptions about human behavior under conditions of stress, and the important literature pertaining to disasters and emergency management.

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Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science
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