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M.S. in Disaster Science & Management (MS, DISA)
earn an MS in disaster science & Management from the Biden School
The M.S. in disaster science and management program offered at the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware approaches emergency management from a distinctly interdisciplinary, research-based point of view.
This degree program emphasizes theories, research methodologies, and policies related to a broad spectrum of issues relating to emergency management. Courses emphasize disaster response, recovery, social vulnerability, organizational behavior, crisis management, and other important topics. The program builds on the unique strengths and international reputation of the Disaster Research Center (DRC) and related programs and research at the University of Delaware.
learn what you can do with a disaster science master's degree
- What Can I do with a Master's Degree in Disaster Science and Management?
- MS, DISA Courses & Curriculum
- Career Outcomes
The purpose of graduate education in disaster science and management is to provide students with the intellectual ability to understand, create, integrate, and apply sophisticated discipline- specific interdisciplinary knowledge to the disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Program goals:
- Students will be able to explain the development of disaster science as an interdisciplinary field. This includes the principal theoretical approaches from geography, sociology, political science, and anthropology and how they have evolved over time.
- Students will articulate how the interconnection of social, natural, and technical systems generates hazards and vulnerabilities along axes of gender, race, class, sexuality, and age, among other human attributes, characteristics, and identifiers.
- Students will comprehend theories of individual and organizational responses to hazards and disasters in such areas as warning, evacuation, donations, volunteers, emergence and convergence, and other areas.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of elements of disaster response and recovery, including the establishment of emergency operations centers, housing restoration, theories of coordination and collaboration, and the unique challenges of critical facilities.
- Students will apply scientific theories and principles to emergency management activities in a practice setting through the successful completion of an internship or other practical experience.
Students are required to work with an advisor during the first semester of study to develop an individual plan of study. The non-thesis option requires 30 credits of graduate-level coursework. The thesis option requires 33 credits of graduate-level coursework, including the thesis.
Biden School graduates work in academia, politics, government, law, policy, activism, non-profits, and the private sector.
Disaster Science & Management program graduates have many different career paths in this emerging field. Some become academics and researchers (many M.S. students who aspire to a scholastic career will continue in the Ph.D. program). Others find placement in local, national, and international disaster and emergency management organizations.
Employers of Recent M.S. Graduates
- California Resiliency Alliance
- City of Berkeley Emergency Management
- Disaster Recovery Outreach and Communications Coordinator New Jersey
- Emergency Management Project Coordinator, Kentucky Emergency Management
- Red Cross
- Science writer working for a NOAA contractor
Employers of Recent Ph.D. Graduates
- Jacksonville State University
- Oklahoma State University
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
- US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs
- US Military
- D'Youville College
Internship Examples
- Cecil County, MD Emergency Management
- Delaware Emergency Management
- New Castle County, DE Emergency Management
- Red Cross
- PNC
- Pacific Disaster Center
International Career Examples
- COT Institute for Crisis and Safety, Netherlands
- Mid Sweden University
- Lund University, Sweden
- Australian Red Cross
start your application
- Apply online with the UD Graduate College
- Gather relevant documents to upload
- Submit your application
mS, DISA Admissions Deadlines
- Admitting Fall 2026, Applications Open Fall 2025
- December 15 (priority deadline)
- August 15 (regular deadline)
From Delaware to the World
phd in disaster science and management
Many DISA master's students who aspire to an academic career will continue in the DISA Ph.D. program. The doctoral program in disaster science and management is an interdisciplinary degree organized around thematic areas related to the management of, prevention of, and recovery from disasters.
get to knoW the biden school faculty and their work
Biden School faculty embraces the “Delaware Model” of integrating research, teaching, and public service to prepare graduates to impact communities locally and globally. Our faculty are productive scholars, excellent teachers, and skilled practitioners with decades of experience in their field.
For Employees
Connect
184 Graham Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 bidenschool@udel.edu Phone (302) 831-1687