M.S. in Disaster Science & Management (MS, DISA)

Biden School

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.

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Why UD? >

Top 13% in the Nation

The Biden School's graduate programs are ranked highly by the U.S. News and World Report.

Centrally Located

Our proximity to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City is ideal to further your career.

Fund your Education

We're committed to affordability. Learn about funding and scholarships available.

ALUMNI IN ACTION

Biden School alumni are a community of problem solvers and “fixers” committed to helping communities here in Delaware, the nation, and around the world. Our alumni work in academia, politics, government, law, policy, activism, non-profits and the private sector.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS

The Coastal Hazards, Equity, Economic prosperity and Resilience (CHEER) hub’s inaugural summer scholars are, from left to right, Brendan Calv of Millersville University, Eva Pumo of the University of Delaware, Emilio Mendoza of Beloit College, Guadalupe Guevara of the University of Delaware, Annika Doneghy of Case Western Reserve University, Nyla Howell of Texas A&M University, and TyKeara Mimms of University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

UD welcomes CHEER Hub students

learn what you can do with a disaster science master's degree

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.

MS, DISA CURRICULUM

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

MS, DISA CAREER OUTCOMES

What Can I do with a Master's Degree in Disaster Science and Management?

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.

MS, DISA Courses & Curriculum

MS, DISA CURRICULUM

Career Outcomes

Biden School graduates work in academia, politics, government, law, policy, activism, non-profits, and the private sector.

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

MS, DISA CAREER OUTCOMES

start your application

Apply online with the UD Graduate College
Fill out the Biden School supplemental application form below
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)

UD Graduate College Tuition & Fees >

Biden School Scholarships & Funding >

ADMISSIONS FAQs

Biden School Supplemental Application Form

This form must be completed in addition to the University of Delaware Graduate Admission Application. Upload this completed form to your online application.

supplemental application form (Pdf)

supplemental application form (DOC)

Test Scores

The Biden School does not require the GRE for admission.
The Biden School accepts the minimum English proficiency test scores listed in the Graduate Admissions Test scores section.

Application Fee Waivers

The UD Graduate College and the Biden School cannot waive fees solely based on financial hardship.

UD Graduate College Application Fee Waiver: Please see if you qualify for a Graduate College fee waiver here.

Scroll down the page until you come to Application Fee Waivers. Click the “+” sign for more information.
Questions regarding applying for a Graduate College-issued application fee waiver should be directed to Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@udel.edu.

Biden School Application Fee Waivers: If you do not meet Graduate College criteria for an application fee waiver, then you may be eligible for a fee waiver through the Biden School based on your academic merit.

You can begin an application and apply without submitting a payment.

Application review will begin on December 15, 2024. We cannot answer fee waivers until after the admissions committee has reviewed your application. Waivers are granted based on the Biden School goals below:

Recognizing exceptional student achievement and merit.
Increasing social mobility by supporting first-generation college students.
Expanding the diversity of our student body by encouraging applicants who bring unique perspectives shaped by life experiences, such as overcoming significant barriers, navigating systemic inequities, or contributing to underrepresented perspectives.
Expanding our cultural and experiential diversity by enrolling individuals with significant work experience, applied expertise, international perspectives, or military service.

Fee waiver decisions are typically made by the end of February.

Once the admissions committee has reviewed your completed application, you will receive an email indicating whether we can grant a waiver.

From Delaware to the World

Real World Experience

The Hallmark of a Biden School education is the “Delaware Model” where education and experience meet. Our students are impacting the issues and causes they care about right now through paid fellowships, internships, and research assistantships.

Biden School Study Abroad

The Biden School offers international study abroad for its students to complement its classroom-based curriculum. Past programs traveled to Belgium, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Sweden, South Africa, South Korea, and the Netherlands.

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.

Learn more

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.

FACULTY PROFILES