Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Health Systems
Track: Emergency and Disaster Health Management (track specialty not listed on degree) – 30 credits
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. For degree requirements for students enrolled prior to 2024, please contact Graduate Program Coordinator.
Graduate Program Director: Dr. Jungwon Yeo
Graduate Program Coordinator: Renee Decker
The Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Health Systems is an interdisciplinary graduate degree designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to lead and strengthen public health responses to emergencies and disasters. Grounded in public health principles and emergency management best practices, the program prepares students to address complex health challenges across the full disaster management cycle—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Through six (6) core and four (4) specialized courses, students gain expertise in epidemiology and research methods, organizational leadership, social and behavioral dynamics, strategic and program planning, and the operational logistics of emergency and disaster health systems. The curriculum integrates hands-on learning and applied tools, culminating in a capstone or thesis project that allows students to synthesize their knowledge in a real-world or research-based context.
Graduates are prepared to assess risk, manage public health crises, and design and implement evidence-based interventions in a range of emergency scenarios.
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.
Key Competencies Developed:
- Comprehensive understanding of emergency and disaster health systems and policy landscapes
- Strategic planning and leadership in emergency management contexts
- Application of epidemiological and research methods in crisis settings
- Design and evaluation of public health programs for disaster resilience
- Risk assessment and hazard mitigation planning
- Integration of social, behavioral, and psychological factors in disaster response
- Evidence-based decision-making using advanced tools and methods
Required Core Courses – 12 credits
- 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
- EDHS 637: Emergency & Disaster Response & Recovery (3)
- EDHS 638: Emergency & Disaster Mitigation, Planning & Preparedness (3)
- EDHS 691: Strategic Planning in EDHS (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
Applied Tools Elective – 1 class required:
- 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 Course (3)
- PUBL 603: Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis (3)
- PUBL 6XX: Other Policy Analysis Approved Course (3)
- TBD: Other Course approved by GPD (3)
Capstone – 3 credits
- EDHS 790: Capstone (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)
- Additional Thesis Information
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.
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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.
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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.
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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