Master of Science in Disaster Medicine and Management

Dean, School of Science and Health: Matt Dane Baker, PA-C, D.H.Sc., 215.951.6803 Phone, 215.951.6812 FAX, bakerm@PhilaU.edu

Program Director: Jean Bail, Ed.D., RN, MSN, CEN, EMT-P, 215.951.2871 Phone, 215.951.6812 FAX, bailj@PhilaU.edu

Campus Location: This is primarily a distance-learning program with a one-week, on-campus requirement. Hybrid sections with seminar time are available for many courses, combining online course requirements with in-person activities.

Degree Program

M.S. in Disaster Medicine and Management

Certificate Programs

• Disaster Medicine and Management

• Business and Organizational Continuity

Recent events in our nation and the world have focused our attention on the prevalence of disasters, mass casualty situations and public service disruptions including terrorism, biological and chemical terrorism, war, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, volcanoes and major power grid disruptions. Additionally, we are facing an increasing number of accidents involving hazardous materials. The effects of all of these events on people, animals, the environment, physical structures and our public infrastructure have been immense. This has brought increased attention to our public safety, emergency medical services (EMS) and public health systems in terms of disaster preparedness. The need for a highly organized disaster preparedness infrastructure and individuals with expertise in this area has become readily apparent to the government and private sector. Disaster emergency planning and management has become an expanding area of study in the fields of medicine, emergency medical services, public safety, mental health, public health and the military.

The Master of Science in Disaster Medicine and Management is a comprehensive graduate degree program encompassing all facets of disaster management. The program encompasses the study of: terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, hazardous materials, natural disasters, psychological aspects of disasters, acute traumatic stress intervention, public health considerations of disasters, research methods and disaster planning and management including risk assessment, incident command and resource allocation. The target audience for this degree program is medical, public safety and defense professionals working in the public and private sectors. The program is delivered as a partnership between Philadelphia University and the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Albert Einstein Health Network.

This program is offered in two formats: a flexible distance-learning process or a hybrid model combining the online requirements with seminar and in-person activities. The program is designed as a 36-credit, 12-course curriculum that can be completed in one to three years depending on the course load taken by the student. The courses will be offered in four 12-week semesters per year. Ten courses will be offered primarily in a distance-learning format using the BlackBoard© course management system with a variety of teaching modalities such as on-line PowerPoint© lectures with audio, asynchronous discussion boards, synchronous chat rooms, via Adobe Connect, reading assignments, research papers, on-line journals and on-line testing. Students will be required to attend one six day, on-campus, summer seminar that will include live lectures, hands-on skills labs, role-playing seminars, disaster drills and a table-top exercise. This summer seminar is a mandatory component of two of the required courses (DMM635 and DMM639). Students will also be required to complete a capstone experience that has several options, but a formal thesis is not required. The program can arrange for students to participate in an internship at a site that provides emergency and disaster planning and preparedness in the United States and internationally.

The program also offers two nine-credit, three-course, graduate certificates for professionals seeking a less intensive educational experience. One involves core material on Disaster Medicine and Management for those seeking a less intensive educational experience. The second certificate addresses business and crisis continuity issues exploring organizational continuity, risk assessment and organizational recovery.

E-Learning at Philadelphia University

The program is offered in a flexible on-line environment. The vast majority of this is asynchronous and can be completed on the student’s own schedule provided the student meets the required examination and assignment deadlines.

Program Hardware and Software Requirements:

• Access to a computer with the Windows operating system (Windows 2000, Windows XP or above) and the capacity to hear audio (sound card). Also, a USB microphone is required and web cam capability will be useful.

• Internet access with high speed connection (DSL, Broadband or cable)

• Microsoft Office software (Word and PowerPoint)

Admission to the Program

Applications to the program should be submitted to the Philadelphia University Office of Graduate Admissions. Admission into the program requires a bachelor’s degree, undergraduate transcripts, a current resume, two letters of recommendation and a personal essay. Admission to the program will be based on several criteria: undergraduate GPA; relevant work experience; two letters of reference; a personal essay; and whether or not the applicant has completed the required prerequisites (see below). The GRE is not required.

Prerequisite Courses 

CURRICULUM

Core Courses:

Electives: (Choose four from the following)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 36 Credits

Graduate Certificate in Disaster Medicine and Management

Core Courses (Required):

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 9 Credits

Graduate Certificate in Business and Organizational Continuity

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 9 Credits