Acting Graduate Program Director: Dr. Jane Lincove
Graduate Program Coordinator: Renee Decker
Healthcare 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 Master’s in Healthcare Emergency and Disaster Management is an advanced interdisciplinary program that prepares students to lead and respond effectively within complex emergency and disaster health systems. Combining foundational public health principles with specialized training in emergency preparedness, strategic leadership, risk communication, and healthcare continuity, this program equips graduates to manage critical incidents and build resilient systems in the face of crises.
The track includes six (6) core courses and four (4) track-specific method courses, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities to manage health systems during crises. Students gain expertise in epidemiology, social and behavioral health aspects of emergencies, healthcare emergency management, and organizational leadership.
This track prepares students for leadership roles in government agencies, healthcare systems, humanitarian organizations, and the private sector. Graduates are equipped to lead efforts in improving health system resilience and ensuring effective disaster response worldwide.
Through academic training, graduates will be able to:
- Understand the structure and policy framework of emergency and disaster health systems.
- Apply leadership and management principles in high-stress, multidisciplinary environments.
- Assess social vulnerabilities and psychosocial impacts during crises.
- Leverage data and research to inform evidence-based emergency responses.
- Develop strategic, ethical, and culturally competent communication and planning tools.
- Design and implement plans to ensure healthcare system functionality during disasters.
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 Health Systems (3)
- EDHS 624: Healthcare Emergency Management (3)
- EDHS 625: Leadership and Risk Communication (3)
- EDHS 691: Strategic Planning (3)
**Students have the option to enroll concurrently in the Healthcare Emergency Management Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (HCEM PBC). Contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for more information.
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)
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 Seminar (3 credits)
- EDHS 799: Masters Thesis Research (3)
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