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Disaster and Emergency Management

The Master of Public Affairs degree with the Disaster and Emergency Management concentration provides a preparation for students entering into or advancing within the broad field of disaster and emergency management.

This emphasis is appropriate for mid to senior managers in emergency services, public health agencies, and homeland security-related organizations. This program of study is comprehensive in its approach and includes policy development, disaster management, hazard mitigation, continuity and recovery of government, and vulnerability reduction.

Students who complete this emphasis will be prepared to:

  • Anticipate natural and technological hazards, and evaluate governmental and non-governmental strategies for emergency and disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
  • Analyze techniques for development of disaster-related public policies.
  • Assess the differential impacts of emergencies and disasters on vulnerable or marginalized populations, communities, regions, and nations.
  • Predict the types of disaster myths commonly encountered and formulate leadership activities that accurately communicate risks associated with hazards and anticipated behavioral responses to hazard events.
  • Create coherent decision making procedures based upon inclusive democratic principles.
  • Recognize that emergency management policy development and implementation may lead to potential ethical dilemmas and develop approaches that resolve ethical conflicts.

Disaster and Emergency Management Area Coordinator: Jeff Hartle

Hauptmann School for Public Affairs
911 Main, Suite 900
Kansas City, MO 64105
Tel. (660) 441-1976
E-mail: jeffery.hartle@park.edu

MPA Required Core Courses:15 hrs.

Disaster and Emergency Management

Course Requirements:  15 hrs.
Three concentration theory courses: 9 hrs.
1.

Principles of Disaster and Emergency Management (PA 551)

 3 hrs.
2. Public Policy and Disaster (PA 552) 3 hrs.
3. Disaster and Society (PA 553) 3 hrs.
Electives (select three): 6 hrs.
1. Global Hazard Reduction (PA 581) 2 hrs.
2.

Disaster, Disease, and Public Health (PA 582)

 2 hrs.
3. Technology, Accidents, and Organizations (PA 583) 2 hrs.
4. Continuity of Government Operations (PA 584) 2 hrs.
5. Natural Hazards and the Urban Environment (PA 585) 2 hrs.
6. Planning for Emergencies and Disasters (PA 586) 2 hrs.
7. Government Response to Terrorism (PA 587) 2 hrs.
Substitution for DEM Electives, up to two credit hours; additional hours are added under cross-sector courses*: 6 hrs.
1. Emerging Topics in Public Affairs (PA 503) 3 hrs.
2.

Independent Study in Public Affairs (PA 504)

 1-3 hrs.
3. International Service-Learning Experience (ISLE) (PA 506) 1 hr.
4. Workshop on Current Issues in Public Affairs (PA 507) 1-3 hrs.
*May require permission of the graduate program.

Degree Plan for Disaster and Emergency Management - The degree plan shows detailed requirements for the M.P.A. with Disaster and Emergency Management as concentration area.

Mapping Your MPA Degree - The mapping sheet offers sample degree plans on various time tables and is designed to assist you finding your optimal M.P.A. degree schedule.

Application for Degree Candidacy (DEM)- Complete the application for Degree Candidacy and submit to the M.P.A. Program Manager before applying for graduation.

Link to Graduate Certificate in Disaster and Emergency Management

Link to Graduate Certificate in Community Capacity Building and Preparedness

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