Disaster Studies M.A.
APPLY NOW REQUEST INFO GRADUATE COLLEGENatural and technological hazards pose increasing risks to the health and economic security of communities in the Rio Grande Valley and elsewhere in the United States, resulting in a growing need for trained emergency management professionals. The M.A. Degree in Disaster Studies at UTRGV provides students with critical training and experience in the field of emergency management to assist in preparing for and managing disasters when and where they occur. Offered on both the Edinburg and Brownsville campuses, the program is designed to accommodate the needs of professional students with coursework offered both online and evenings. Graduates from the program will enjoy a wide range of career opportunities as emergency management specialists, homeland security officers, hospital emergency preparedness administrators, public health planners, communication officers, and emergency response technicians. For those planning careers in research and teaching, the program also prepares students for Ph.D. programs in emergency management, public health, and related fields. Funding opportunities in the form of assistantships are available for both domestic and international students.
There is also a new certificate available: Disaster Management and Sustainability Certificate. The Disaster Management and Sustainability Certificate is a 12-hour fully online certificate, which provides new professional development to current working professionals in public safety, private security, law enforcement, and other professions which are related to disaster and emergency management. The certificate provides opportunities for students and professionals to acquire new professional knowledge and develop essential skills to fulfill their professional responsibilities. Students can complete the program in one academic calendar year by successfully completing two courses per semester. Students who have completed this certificate program can apply to continue their study in M.A. in Disaster Studies program and the 12 credits could be used toward the master degree. To learn more and apply for the certificate, click on the following link.
Courses offered: Traditional and online at and after 5 pm.
For additional information regarding the program, Edinburg students may contact Dr. Dean Kyne and Brownsville students may contact Dr. Dawid Wladlyka.
To learn more about the Disaster Studies program, visit the following pages: