University of North Texas 
Emergency Management and Disaster Science (MS)
Advance or begin your career in Emergency Management.
RECENT GRADUATES
Are employed as:
- Emergency Management Coordinator
- Environmental, Health, Safety & Sustainability Manager
- Asst. Public Health Preparedness and SNS Coordinator
- Emergency Management Analyst
- GIS Applications Administrator
- More…
Are employed by:
- North Central Texas Council of Governments
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Dallas Office of Emergency Management
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- More…
Emergency Management and Disaster Science (MS) Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Emergency Management and Disaster Science requires 30 hours
of course work, including 24 hours in EMDS and 6 hours in a minor field. Students
may choose either a thesis or a non-thesis option.
Required courses, 9 hours
- EMDS 5010 - Emergency Management Theory and Practice
- EMDS 5110 - Disaster Research Methods
- EMDS 5120 - Applied Statistics in Disaster Science
Thesis or non-thesis option
The degree requires each student to select a thesis or non-thesis option.
Students selecting the thesis option will be required to complete the core curriculum of 9 hours, 9 hours of electives in emergency management and disaster science, 6 hours in a minor field, and 6 hours of thesis. Students selecting the thesis option must have departmental consent to enroll in thesis and must successfully complete a thesis defense. Students selecting the non-thesis option will be required to complete the core curriculum of 9 hours, 12 hours of electives in emergency management and disaster science, 6 hours in a minor field, and 3 hours of directed readings. Students choosing the non-thesis option must also pass a written comprehensive exam covering the core curriculum. All course work applied toward the Master of Science with a major in emergency management and disaster science must be at the 5000 level.
Graduate Courses in Emergency Management and Disaster Science
- EMDS 5010 - Emergency Management Theory and Practice
- EMDS 5110 - Disaster Research Methods
- EMDS 5120 - Applied Statistics in Disaster Science
- EMDS 5610 - Disaster Preparedness and Management
- EMDS 5615 - Environmental Planning and Hazards
- EMDS 5620 - Challenges of Disaster Response
- EMDS 5630 - Technological Hazards
- EMDS 5640 - Community Recovery and Resilience
- EMDS 5650 - International Disaster Relief
- EMDS 5800 - Seminar in Emergency Management and Disaster Science
- EMDS 5950 - Master's Thesis
- EMDS 5960 - Directed Reading in Emergency Management and Disaster Science
- EMDS 6800 - Seminar in Emergency Management and Disaster Science
HOW TO APPLY
Admission Requirements
Apply to UNT and submit your official transcripts online through the GradCAS portal.
Electronic transcripts must come directly from the prior college/university; they cannot be sent by applicant.Once the student is admitted to the graduate school, the application will be reviewed by the department for admission to the M.S. in Emergency Management and Disaster Science program. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of the application packet, including each applicant’s undergraduate GPA in the major, a personal statement not exceeding 500 words, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample of 1,000 words or less, and, as an option, GRE scores, including verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed for admission in the fall and spring semesters. For admission in the fall semester completed applications must be received no later than July 1. For admission in the spring semester completed applications must be received no later than November 1.
Apply to UNT and submit your official transcripts online through the GradCAS portal.
Electronic transcripts must come directly from the prior college/university; they cannot be sent by applicant.Once the student is admitted to the graduate school, the application will be reviewed by the department for admission to the M.S. in Emergency Management and Disaster Science program. Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of the application packet, including each applicant’s undergraduate GPA in the major, a personal statement not exceeding 500 words, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample of 1,000 words or less, and, as an option, GRE scores, including verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed for admission in the fall and spring semesters. For admission in the fall semester completed applications must be received no later than July 1. For admission in the spring semester completed applications must be received no later than November 1.
Funding Opportunities
Students may apply for funding as a teaching or research assistant in the department.
These positions typically require students to work 20 hours per week either assisting
faculty in the classroom or with grant-funded research projects. Funding for these
positions is limited and decisions are made on a competitive and selective basis.
Application Information
All students applying for graduate programs at the University of North Texas must apply through the GradCAS portal. More information about the application process and UNT admission requirements for graduate students can be found here.
Students applying for the M.S. in Emergency Management and Disaster Science program must also submit the following application materials online through the GradCAS portal.
- A personal statement (not exceeding 500 words) describing the reasons for your interest in the program and professional aspirations.
- A writing sample (not exceeding 1,000 words), which can be from a course you have taken as an undergraduate student or a work-related report or project that you led and wrote.
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals capable of evaluating your potential for advanced studies at the graduate level.
Scholarships & more
The Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science offers the Tom Joslin Memorial Scholarship to EADP students each year. EADP students
are also eligible to apply for scholarships offered by the College of Health and Public
Service.
Click here for information on tuition, costs and aid.
Click here for information on tuition, costs and aid.
Student Organizations
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Get started with this degree
Graduate students are advised by department faculty. Dr. Mary Nelan can help connect
you with potential faculty advisors based on your unique interests.
Mary Nelan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director of Graduate Programs
Director of Graduate Programs
Emergency Management & Disaster Science
ABOUT US
The University of North Texas offers the nation's first and most respected undergraduate program in Emergency Administration and Planning.
Professionals in this field help individuals, businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations prepare for, respond to and recover from floods, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, terrorist attacks and epidemics.