Emergency Management and Disaster Science (MS)

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

Toulouse Graduate School
1155 Union Circle, #311277
Denton, TX 76203

Or submit transcripts electronically to gradadmission@unt.edu. Electronic transcripts must come directly from the prior college/university; they cannot be sent by applicant.

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.

Step 1: All students applying for graduate programs at the University of North Texas must apply  through Apply Texas (Spring 2025) or GradCAS (Summer 2025 and later). More information about the application process and UNT admission requirements for graduate students can be found here.

Step 2: Students applying for the M.S. in Emergency Management and Disaster Science program must also submit the following application materials electronically in either pdf or Microsoft Word format to emds.ms@unt.edu :

1. A personal statement (not exceeding 500 words) describing the reasons for your interest in the program and professional aspirations.
2. 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.
3. Two letters of recommendation from individuals capable of evaluating your potential for advanced studies at the graduate level sent electronically directly to emds.ms@unt.edu.