Program Overview Emergency and Disaster Health Systems M.S.

Certificates+

Why Study Emergency and Disaster Health Systems?

The Emergency and Disaster Health Systems graduate program is primarily focused on providing graduate-level training and education to healthcare providers, researchers, educators, policymakers, and administrators for leadership roles requiring skill in planning, research, development, and organizational operations.

Emergency health care encompasses agencies ranging from local rescue squads to national and international disaster and refugee health services and includes mobile (i.e., ambulances) and fixed resources (hospitals). Increasingly, emergency and disaster health systems agencies are becoming more involved in activities aimed at the prevention of injuries and sudden illness and are exploring other public health roles. In order for this work to be effective, a high degree of management capability, combined with targeted research and education, is required. Our Master’s, Certificates and Ph.D. Concentration programs are designed to address these needs.

The Emergency and Disaster Health Systems curriculum is designed to provide graduate-level training and education to healthcare providers, researchers, educators, policymakers, and administrators.

The department offers many graduate options:

Accelerated B.S./M.S.
Emergency Management Graduate Certificate
Healthcare Emergency Management Graduate Certificate
Master’s Tracks
Track I: Administration, Planning, and Policy
Track II: Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology

At a Glance

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FINANCIAL AID ↓HOW TO APPLY ↓PROGRAM CONTACTS ↓

Which Program is Right for You?

Master of Science in Emergency and Disaster Health Systems

The Master of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems program encompasses agencies ranging from local rescue squads to national and international disaster and refugee health services and include mobile (i.e. ambulances) and fixed resources (hospitals).

VIEW Master of Science DETAILS →

Certificate in Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Post-Baccalaureate Certificate helps current and aspiring emergency managers develop graduate-level analytical, planning, and leadership skills in the increasingly important field of all-hazards emergency management.

VIEW Certificate DETAILS →

Certificate in Healthcare Emergency Management

This certificate program can be taken as a stand-alone course program or as part of the student’s M.S. degree in Emergency Health Services.

VIEW Certificate DETAILS →

Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid

Find opportunities to further advance your career and academic studies.

UMBC participates in all federal and state student financial aid programs and offers scholarships and assistantships through the Graduate School, Graduate Departments and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

2025–2026 Graduate Cost Calculator Graduate Assistantships Fellowships Funding Your Education

Ready to Apply?

Start Your Graduate Admissions Application

Applying to UMBC’s graduate programs is easy, safe, and secure. You can apply online as a degree seeking, non-degree seeking, or certificate student. Our online applications are managed by our trusted partner, CollegeNET. When you Apply Online, you can create an account, submit your application information and pay the $50 application fee by credit card over a secure internet connection. Already start an application? Finish up

Check application decisions (6-8 weeks)

Please note that application decisions can take 6-8 weeks after the program’s deadline, and depend on how many applications a department receives. You will receive an email once the department processes your decision letter. You will be able to see your decision letter by logging in to the application website. Your decision letter will be where the application checklist was. You may also check your recommendation statuses to send reminders or update contact information from the user page. If you are having trouble logging back in, you can recover your account.

Have Questions?

Please contact the appropriate Graduate School staff member for assistance, or contact our Main Office at gradschool@umbc.edu or 410-455-2537.

Application Deadlines

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Contact Information