The Institute for Disaster Management offers one of the nation’s few Master of Public Health programs with a concentration in Disaster Management. The two-year MPH program is designed for students from varied backgrounds who wish to pursue a career in emergency preparedness, public health, or emergency 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 our community and across the world. Our multidisciplinary group of instructors have 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.

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)

Disaster Management Core Requirements (12 credit hours)

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

Other Required Courses

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.

2- Year Fall, Spring and Summer
Year 1: Fall DMAN 7100 + 6 hours 7010 courses + 3 hours elective
Year 1: Spring DMAN 7200 + DMAN 7500 + 6 hours elective
Year 1: Summer 6 hours 7010 courses
Year 2: Fall DMAN 7400 + 3 hours 7010 + PBHL courses + 3 hours elective
Year 2: Spring PBHL 8600/8650: Internship or Research

2 year Fall, Spring and Summer 2
Year 1: Fall DMAN 7100 + 6 hours 7010 courses + 3 hours elective
Year 1: Spring DMAN 7200 + DMAN 7500 + 3 hours elective + 3 hours 7010 courses
Year 1: Summer 6 hours 7010 courses
Year 2: Fall DMAN 7400 + PBHL courses + 6 hours elective
Year 2: Spring PBHL 8600/8650: Internship or Research

How to Apply

For more information on how to apply to the minor program in disaster management, check out the College of Public Health’s website.

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