Prepare to Make a Difference with Our Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Disaster Management Degree Program
You have a passion to make a difference. We do too. Let us help you prepare to save lives with our MPA in Disaster Management degree. Through our 100% online emergency management master’s degree program, you can learn to assess risks, mitigate hazards, create safe and prepared communities, and respond to natural and man-made disasters within your sector, whether that’s local, state, or nationwide.
We have been pioneering distance education since 1985, giving us the experience needed to create a cutting-edge online learning environment designed to meet your needs. Because our disaster management master’s degree can be completed 100% online with no set login times, you can stay involved in your family, career, or community while you earn your degree.
At Liberty, your success is our success. We strive to ensure that you are provided with the knowledge and skills you need to serve with integrity in emergency and disaster management wherever your career takes you. We don’t just train professionals. We train exceptional, value-driven professionals who are prepared to lead in their fields. Partner with us and make the impact you always knew you could.
Why Choose Liberty’s Master of Public Administration – Disaster Management Program?
As an accredited Christian university recognized for its academic quality, affordability, and accessibility, Liberty is one of the premier universities offering disaster and emergency management master’s degrees. At Liberty, we believe in academic excellence taught from a biblical perspective. Our mission is to Train Champions for Christ, meaning that we can help give you the skills and tools you need to make a lasting impact for Christ as you pursue your career passions.
A career in emergency management can be rewarding in many aspects. Being able to prepare a community or government agency to minimize the risks from emergencies can give you the satisfaction of saving lives. This career can be financially rewarding as well. The 2020 median annual wage for emergency management directors was $76,250.* In addition, the continued importance of preparing for hurricanes, floods, or hostage situations ensures that this career path will continue to be in steady demand.
Our professors have real-world experience in public administration and disaster management, allowing them to teach you practical emergency response skills that you can use to save lives and explore exciting career opportunities. At Liberty, you are an individual, not a number, and our professors are dedicated to supporting you as you pursue your goals.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Emergency Management Directors, 2020 (viewed online June 28, 2021). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
What Will You Learn in Our MPA in Disaster Management Degree?
In our disaster management degree program, you’ll explore preventative measures that can help keep your community safe from natural disasters and acts of terrorism. You will also complete coursework centered on working with the political, legal, and financial systems that affect disaster management and prevention.
You will examine terrorism in relation to the homeland security goals of your sector. Understanding the difficulties that might occur for fire and emergency services when dealing with terrorism is key to preparation, response, and recovery actions. Through this training, you can gain a better understanding of the types of terrorism, what tactics they use, and how to respond.
Understanding hazards and how to mitigate them is another large part of disaster management. You can learn how to evaluate the systems you already have in place and then build upon and improve them. The end result will be a process that is resilient, sustainable, and effective.
Our master’s in disaster management online combines homeland security and public administration best practices so you can be better prepared to manage both emergencies and budgeting concerns at any level of government. Armed with a variety of security and response strategies, you can coordinate your anti-terrorism efforts with other levels of government – from local to international threats.
Featured Courses
- HLSC 600 – Introduction to Disaster Management
- HLSC 610 – Understanding Terrorism and Homeland Security
- HLSC 620 – Hazard Mitigation
- PADM 600 – Politics and Policy of Public Sector Budgeting
Master of Public Administration in Disaster Management Program Highlights
We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank in the top 10% of Niche.com’s best online schools in America. Earning your online degree in emergency management from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- The majority of tuition for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs has not increased in 9 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- You can complete our master’s in public administration and disaster management degree in as little as 1.5 years!
MPA in Disaster Management Degree Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- Download and review the Degree Completion Plan for this program.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
- This program includes the option to complete a thesis or take electives.
Online Master’s in Emergency Management Degree Program Military Benefits
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe. Whether you are a current service member, discharged or retired from service, or the spouse of a service member or veteran, we are here to support you every step of the journey.
As a thank-you for your dedication and service to our country, Liberty is honored to serve and support you in your pursuit of online education by offering the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
Potential Career Options with Our MPA in Disaster Management Online Program
Your MPA in emergency management can help prepare you for a wide range of jobs in the emergency response management field. For instance, you could work for a homeland security organization such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Here are a few examples of careers you can pursue at all levels of government:
- Emergency management director
- Emergency management specialist
- Emergency preparedness administrator
- Homeland security officer
Admission Requirements for the Master of Public Administration
Applicants must have a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or above for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page for more detailed admissions-related information.
All applicants must submit the following:
- Admission application
- Application fee*
- Official college transcripts
- Unofficial college transcripts may be accepted with a completed official transcript request form**
- Proof of English proficiency (for applicants whose native language is other than English)
*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.
**An official transcript is needed within 60 days of acceptance or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first.
