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

Admission Requirements & How To Apply

For Spring 2025, all general admission requirements to the Toulouse Graduate School must be fulfilled by completing the ApplyTexas application. For applicants intending to start in Fall 2025, learn how to use the new streamlined UNT Admissions uniCAS application system. The application will then 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, 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. 

GPA Requirements

Graduate Applicants are evaluated holistically, based on specific departmental and program requirements. In the past, successful candidates usually have at least a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate coursework. As part of this review, the committee also considers the last 60 hours of completed coursework as well as performance in emergency management and social science coursework.

GRE Requirements

Submission of GRE Scores are optional. However, we strongly encourage applicants with GPAs below 3.0 to submit scores of the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) as a way to strengthen your application.

Academic Backgrounds

We welcome applicants who hold bachelor’s degrees in emergency management, disaster science, or in a related social science field (e.g., sociology, geography, political science, urban planning, psychology, anthropology, economics). Applicants with degrees in other fields, such as the natural sciences, civil engineering, and environmental studies, are also welcome to apply; however, applicants must demonstrate successful performance in social science courses.

How to Apply

For step-by-step instructions on the application process, please visit the Graduate Admissions website. This will include details on how to submit materials including transcripts, letters of recommendation and other items.

Funding Opportunities

Students may apply for funding as a teaching or research assistant in the department. These positions 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. Applicants wishing to be considered for RA, TA, and GSA funding for the fall semester should submit their admission application by March 15. Limited funding may be available for students starting the program in the spring semester. The application deadline for incoming students to be considered for funding in the spring is November 1.

Additional Information

If you have any questions or need additional information about the program or the application process, please contact Ms. Kimberly Roy, Administrative Coordinator, at (940) 369-7445 or Kimberly.Roy@unt.edu.

Supplemental Document Tips

1. Letters of Recommendation: You will need to provide two letters of recommendation from individuals capable of evaluating your potential for advanced studies at the graduate level. These will typically come from former professors who can provide an assessment of your academic capabilities. For applicants with significant work experience, these letters may come from current or former supervisors who can provide an assessment of your potential to succeed in graduate studies.
2. Personal Statement: You will need to provide a personal statement (not exceeding 500 words) describing the reasons for your interest in the program and professional aspirations. In other words, why do you want to pursue a master’s degree in emergency management and disaster science? How will this degree help you pursue your research interests or help you obtain your career goals?
3. Writing Sample:  You will need to provide a writing sample (not exceeding 1,000 words). The writing sample can be a project, assignment, or report from a course you have taken as an undergraduate student or from a work-related report or project that you led and wrote. The writing sample, which should be the sole work of the applicant, should be original, organized, free of grammatical errors, and integrates proper citations. If you are submitting an academic journal article that is published (or under review), you must be the first or corresponding author of the manuscript.