Emergency and Disaster Management, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Remonda Kleinberg

The Department of Public and International Affairs offers a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) for professionals, practitioners and students who wish to gain a solid understanding of managing and mitigating crises in both domestic and international settings. The program is based on a dual-format, blended-course model which includes intensive instructional blocks utilizing face-to-face instruction, video teleconferencing and mobile access – all of which can be accessed virtually in real time or via the archives asynchronously, followed by self-paced but guided distance education. There is one instructional block a semester spanning two-to-four weeks at the beginning of the fall, spring and summer semesters. The program is designed to provide core knowledge, skills, and abilities through a set of modules focused on the theoretical and applied approaches to crisis and emergency management. Effective and immediate response to emergencies and disasters by both first responders and those coordinating teams in the field is a crucial element in managing emergencies and pending disasters.

The objective of the certificate program is to give graduates the knowledge and skill set to manage and mitigate emergencies in diverse domestic or international environments. Students may participate in the certificate program while enrolled in a master’s degree program in another discipline, whether at UNCW or any other regionally accredited university.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Emergency and Disaster Management Certificate program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program. Applicants must have a strong academic record in any field with an overall GPA of 3.00, or a “B” average or the equivalent professional experience. All applicants must submit the following to the UNCW Graduate School:

An application for graduate admission.
Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
A 500-word essay on the applicant’s goal in pursuing graduate work in conflict management and resolution.
Three letters of recommendation from an academic institution or the applicant’s relevant professional field.
Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Note

*These admissions requirements apply only to the graduate certificate program in Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM). Students interested in combining the EDM certificate program with a Master’s degree from another department will have to meet all admission criteria for that degree.

Certificate Requirements (21 total credit hours)

The EDM Certificate program requires 21 credit hours. The certificate includes 3 core courses (9 credit hours) that are mandatory for EDM students. Students will choose 12 additional credit hours of EDM electives. All courses listed will be taught in a semi-distance format where students will be required to attend a block of intense class lectures after which assignments will be completed off-campus.

Required Core Courses (9 credit hours)

CMR 563 - Principles of Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Credit Hours: 3
CMR 564 - Practices of Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Credit Hours: 3
CMR 584 - Emergency and Crisis Leadership Credit Hours: 3

Emergency and Disaster Management Electives (12 credit hours)

CMR 581 - Hazard Mitigation Planning Credit Hours: 3
CMR 582 - Emergency Planning and Exercises Credit Hours: 3
CMR 583 - Disaster Communication and Recovery Credit Hours: 3
CMR 587 - Conflict, Crisis and Disaster Management in an International Context Credit Hours: 3
MPA 524 - Managing Coastal Hazards Credit Hours: 3