University Catalog 2024-2025

Disaster Management, MPH

The MPH in Disaster Management program prepares professionals to apply scientific principles to prevent, detect, and mitigate environmental public health problems and threats associated with natural and technological disasters- locally to globally. Students gain skills to implement population-based interventions to protect communities, particularly vulnerable populations, from natural, accidental, and intentional disasters. This MPH offering is intended for both pre-professionals and mid-career individuals. Students typically have a background in a life or physical science or engineering. This course is offered by Distance Learning and on campus. 

Faculty Lead:  Stephen Murphy, PhD

Program Competency

Upon completion of the MPH degree in Disaster Management, graduates will have the following competencies:

  • Apply scientific principles to prevent, detect, respond to, and mitigate local and global threats to environmental health that are associated with natural and technological disasters.
  • Integrate public health strategies in each core component of disaster management: prevention, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
  • Implement population-based interventions to protect communities and particularly vulnerable populations from natural, accidental, and intentional disasters that affect personal and community health.
  • Evaluate the capacity of public health systems to effectively respond to natural and intentional disasters.
  • Apply international, federal, and state regulatory policies, guidelines, and authorities to address public health needs during disasters.