The Georgetown University MPS in Emergency & Disaster Management program prepares students for positions in emergency management through a combination of theoretical and experiential courses that focus on critical thinking, decision-making, project management, communications, and emerging technologies.
Learning Goals
Upon successfully completing the MPS in Emergency & Disaster Management you will:
Develop effective practices for working within the parameters of local, state, federal, and international rules, regulations, and procedures in order to respond ethically, efficiently, and legally to emergencies and disasters.
Evaluate local, state, federal, and international responses to emergencies and disasters by analyzing case studies, both historical and theoretical, in order to generate informed, well-reasoned, and professional recommendations for both preventive measures and future responses.
Create response plans for multiple types of emergencies and disasters (including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, public health emergencies, and technological disasters) and demonstrate agile problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
Apply a strong ethical framework to evaluate crisis situations and exercise critical decision-making skills during times of extreme pressure and rapidly changing variables.
Understand social and cultural aspects of disaster preparedness and response in order to best serve diverse and/or vulnerable populations.
Devise targeted communications plans for stakeholders (e.g., the public, supervisors, colleagues, private sector, military, and other officials).
Understand how to coordinate and manage different organizations, agencies, and levels of government before, during, and after a disaster.
Plan and execute budgets and exercise fiscally responsible decision-making and resource management.
Demonstrate an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the various technologies available to detect and respond to emergency situations.