Acting Graduate Program Director: Dr. Jane Lincove
Graduate Program Coordinator: Renee Decker
Public Health Emergency and Disaster Management Course Plan: Download PDF
All EDHS courses available in Online or Hybrid formats
To better sever our students, our graduate program curriculum has been updated. New curriculum changes will take effect as of Fall 2025. Students enrolled in the EDHS Master’s program prior to Fall 2025 can continue under their current plan requirements or update to new curriculum requirements.
Speak with an advisor for additional information..
Program Description:
The Public Health Emergency and Disaster Management track prepares students to effectively plan for, respond to, and manage the health impacts of emergencies and disasters. Designed for professionals interested in protecting population health during crises—such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and environmental emergencies—this track blends core public health principles with emergency management strategies.
Students complete six (6) core courses and four (4) specialized method courses focused on emergency preparedness, environmental justice, risk communication, and evidence-based public health practices. The curriculum equips students with the skills needed to lead and collaborate across sectors in high-stakes, real-world situations.
Graduates will be qualified to take on strategic, operational, and leadership roles at the intersection of public health and emergency management that help safeguard population health across local, national, and global emergency and disaster contexts.
Graduates will be able to:
- Understand emergency management systems and public health functions
- Lead multi-sector coordination efforts in public health emergencies
- Develop, implement, and evaluate emergency preparedness and response plans
- Communicate risk and health messages effectively to diverse populations
- Address health equity, environmental justice, and vulnerable populations in disaster planning
- Analyze data and conduct environmental assessments to guide emergency responses
- Design and evaluate public health programs using evidence-based frameworks
- Serve as ethical, strategic leaders in high-pressure, real-world crisis settings
The program culminates in either a capstone or thesis, allowing students to integrate knowledge in a real-world applied or research-based project, demonstrating professional readiness in this critical and rapidly evolving field.
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Health Systems
(Track Specialty is not listed on degree)
Total credits require to graduate: 30
Required Core Courses (12 credits required)
- EDHS 610: Intro to Emergency & Disaster Health Systems (3)
- EDHS 620: Epidemiology & Research Methods (3)
- EDHS 632: Social, Behavioral, Health Aspects of Emergency & Disasters (3)
- EDHS 636: Organizational Management & Leadership (3)
Methods Requirement Courses (12 credits required)
- EDHS 623: Public Health Emergency Preparedness (3)
- EDHS 625: Leadership and Risk Communication (3)
- EDHS 634: Environmental Hazards, Adaptation & Justice (3)
- EDHS 720: Evidence-Based Program Planning, Implementation & Evaluation for Emergency & Disasters (3)
Applied Tools Non-Thesis or Research-based Thesis Options:
Non-Thesis Pathway (6 credits required)
Applied Tools Elective (3 credits)
- EDHS 643: Budget & Finance (Applied) (3)
- EDHS 6XX: Other EDHS Approved Course (3)
- GES 686: Intro to Geographic Information Systems (3)
- GES 6XX: Other GIS Approved Couse (3)
- TBD Other Course approved by GPD (3)
Thesis Pathway (6 credits required)
The thesis pathway is a more formal completion of the Master’s degree with specific timelines that must be followed. For exact deadlines, please check graduate school website.
Advanced Methods Elective (3 Credits)
- EDHS 621: Advanced Methods: Biostatistics (3)
- TBD Other Course approved by Graduate Program Director (3)
Thesis (3 credits)
- EDHS 799: Masters Thesis Research (3)
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Additional Thesis Information:
Up to date information can be found at https://gradschool.umbc.edu/graduation/dissertations/
Thesis-Option Candidates Deadlines
- Due two (2) months prior to the final exam. Check with your Graduate Program Director and the Graduate Catalog for related information regarding: preparation of your thesis, examination committee, final examinations and other requirements for the master’s degree. Bring to the Graduate School the completed Nomination of Members for the Final Master’s Examination Committee form. The Graduate School will notify the Chairman of the Committee and the Dean’s selected representative of the approved/appointed committee by returning the above form showing Graduate School approval and appointment of the Dean’s representative.
- Certification Readiness to Defend
- Due two (2) weeks before the thesis defense. After all committee members have read the thesis, the Chairperson and the Graduate Program Director sign the Certification of Readiness to Defend the Master’s Thesis form. Bring the completed form to the Graduate School. The Graduate School will then send the Procedures for Examination of the Master’s Thesis and the Report of the Examining Committee form to the Dean’s representative of your committee.
- Examining Committee Report
- Due within two (2) business days after the oral defense. The Representative for the Dean returns the completed Report of the Examining Committee form to the Graduate School.
- Approval Sheet & Thesis
- The signed approval sheet and electronic thesis must be submitted to UMI/ProQuest by the dates per semester listed below. The original signed approval sheet must also be submitted to the Graduate School.
- Fall: December 1
- Summer: August 1
- Spring: May 1