Welcome to the undergraduate page for the Institute for Disaster Management! Here at IDM, we offer an undergraduate minor program in disaster management. More than ever, there is need for communities to effectively manage disasters. Disasters impact everyone, and knowing how to plan, prepare, and respond to them is an increasingly sought-after and employable skill set in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private sector alike. This is a rewarding multidisciplinary field, and we are thrilled to support our students and help them discover their passions within disaster management.

At IDM, we strive to make the undergraduate student experience the best that it can possibly be – from rigorous academics and engaging coursework to hands-on training and research experiences to meaningful interactions with peers, faculty, and staff. The minor program in disaster management has a unique interdisciplinary structure consisting of a core class and elective courses from within and beyond IDM. As such, students come to IDM from a wide range of majors, such as geography, health promotion, and international affairs, to name a few.

In addition to earning an undergraduate minor, our students also receive certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to increase their knowledge, skills, and marketability when applying for jobs. Many of our students also complete research, such as through the Center for Undergraduate Research Program, or through research assistantships.

Again, welcome! You can learn more about how to apply to the IDM undergraduate program here on our website. We would be delighted to have you join us, and we look forward to meeting you!
If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Sincerely,
Michelle Ritchie, PhD
Undergraduate Coordinator for IDM
Assistant Professor


Undergraduate Opportunities

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Flooding & Climate Change

Climate change is driving more inland and coastal flooding across the U.S., sometimes in communities with no history of flooding. How does a heating planet contribute to more flooding, and

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Experiential Learning through Immersive Research in Iceland

One thing that the University of Georgia’s Institute for Disaster Management (IDM) stresses is giving students the opportunity to learn by doing. For two weeks this past May and June,

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. During this month, we amplify the importance of reducing stigma and advocate for policies to