The Program
The UGA Institute for Disaster Management offers one of the nation’s only Master of Public Health programs with a concentration in Disaster Management. The two-year, in-person MPH program is designed for students from varied backgrounds who wish to pursue a career in emergency preparedness, public health, or disaster management.
At IDM, experiential learning opportunities are at the core of our teaching principles. Applying hands-on skills through training and disaster exercises prepares our students to be the next generation of leaders throughout their community and worldwide. Our multidisciplinary group of instructors has varying backgrounds and areas of expertise. This diversity enhances student instruction through all phases of disasters, from mitigation to response.
The MPH program with a concentration in Disaster Management includes obtaining numerous certifications from multiple organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, The National Disaster Life Support Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center. These certifications provide learning opportunities, professional credentials, and enhanced job marketability following graduation.
All students must complete a 300-hour Applied Practice Experience in a public health-related organization supervised by a public health professional. Students must also pass a culminating experience in their last semester to graduate from the program. Students are admitted into the program each Fall semester, and classes are offered on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens, Georgia.
By the Numbers
Coursework
The MPH requires a minimum of 44 semester hours of coursework, including the completion of an Applied Practice Experience (6 credit hours). To graduate, students must pass a final culminating experience (3 credit hours). The curriculum comprises the following areas and courses. A more detailed look at required coursework can be found here.
MPH Core Course Requirements (15 credit hours)
- BIOS 7010: Introduction to Biostatistics I
- EPID 7010: Introduction to Epidemiology I
- EHSC 7010: Foundations of Environmental Health
- HPAM 7010: Introduction to Health Policy and Management
- HPRB 7010: Social and Behavioral Foundations
Disaster Management Core Requirements (12 credit hours)
- DMAN 7100: Introduction to Disaster Management (Disaster Management I)
- DMAN 7200: Disaster Management for Health Professionals (Disaster Management II)
- DMAN 7400: Public Health Crises and Disaster Management (Disaster Management III)
- DMAN 7500: Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security (Disaster Management IV)
Disaster Management Electives (8 credit hours):
The following is a list of DMAN electives. Other courses may be accepted with prior written approval from academic advisor. A full list of electives are available here.
- DMAN 7450: GIS and Disasters
- DMAN 7600: Disaster Policy, Law, and Ethics
- DMAN 7650: Disaster Mental Health Overview
- DMAN 8900: Special Topics in Disaster Management (independent study)
- DMAN 8910: Problems in Disaster Management (independent study)
Other Required Courses (9 Credit Hours):
Sample Plans of Study
For the sample plans below, students typically follow a 2-year plan of study. These are meant to serve as sample plans of study only.
How to Apply
For more information on how to apply to the MPH program, check out our Admissions page or visit the College of Public Health’s website.
