Degree Programs at Jefferson University
Jefferson University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Emergency Management Master’s Degrees Online.
Emergency management professionals help prepare communities for the possibility of a disaster and, if the disaster strikes, respond to the area to assist in any way possible. They also help communities recover from the disaster and attempt to mitigate future disasters. Emergency management directors earn an average of $87,440 per year. Jefferson University, which is a merger between Philadelphia University and Thomas Jefferson University, offers a Disaster Medicine & Management Master of Science degree that provides students with the skills they need to manage emergencies and disasters on a global scale.
The Master of Science in Disaster Medicine & Management is designed for those who wish to plan for, respond to and mitigate the effects of both natural and manmade disasters. This may include terrorism, natural disasters, hazardous materials or other emergencies. The program can be completed in one to three years and is available both on-campus and online. Students must complete 36-credits in 12 courses. Although the program can be taken online, Psychological Aspects of Disasters and the Principles of Disaster Exercises Drills classes require a one-time, on-campus conference and exercise week offered in the summer. The week on campus includes lectures, hands-on-skills labs, role-playing seminars, disaster drills, and a table-top exercise. Courses required for the program include:
- Applied Research Methods and Statistics
- Business and Crisis Continuity*
- Clinical Disaster Medicine*
- Disaster Mapping*
- Emergency Preparedness for Special Needs Population*
- Foundations in Emergency Management
- Foundations in Homeland Security and Defense*
- Hazardous Materials and Industrial Society*
- Healthcare Emergency Management*
- International and Humanitarian Disaster Management*
- Logistic Management for Disasters
- Natural Disasters*
- Principles of Terrorism*
- Organizational Management and Communications in Disasters
- Organizational Recovery and Planning*
- Organizational Risk and Crisis Management*
- Principals of Disaster Exercises and Drills
- Psychological Aspects of Disasters
- Public Health Implications of Disasters
- Weapons of Mass Destruction*
*Electives – Students must choose four
Students must also complete 100 hours of experiential learning.
About Jefferson University
Jefferson University was founded in 1824 as Jefferson Medical College while Philadelphia University was founded in 1884 as the Philadelphia Textile School. Both schools had formats that focused on experiential learning.
Thomas Jefferson University began when a prominent Philadelphia physician, Dr. George McClellan promoted the teaching of medical students using hands-on learning, having them observe experienced doctors as they treated patients and allowing them to participate in supervised care. His methods led to the creation of the Jefferson Medical College. In 1877, the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital was established and Jefferson Medical College became part of the hospital. In 1967, the school became Thomas Jefferson University.
During the 1876 Centennial Exposition, local manufacturers noticed that the Philadelphia area was falling behind in technology and ability. The Philadelphia Association of Manufacturers of Textile Fabrics formed in 1880 which partnered with the Philadelphia Museum and School of Industrial Art to create a school that would help train people in the textile industry. The first class was held in 1884 at what was then known as the Philadelphia Textile School.
In 1949, Philadelphia Textile Institute as it was then known, moved to the East Falls section of Philadelphia. In 1961, it became the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. It became Philadelphia University in 1999.
In 2017, Jefferson University was created when Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia University merged. Today, they are a professional university that defies convention and focuses on collaborative, transdisciplinary and interprofessional approaches to learning.
Jefferson University Accreditation Details
Jefferson University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation indicates to parents, students, and employers that the programs offered at the University are of the highest quality education based on criteria created by the Association. It also indicates that the school has the resources necessary to meet their goals and objectives. Programs at the school are also accredited by the following organizations:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs
Jefferson University Application Requirements
Admission to the Master of Science in Disaster Medicine and Management program is based on an applicant’s undergraduate GPA, work experience and other admission documents. Applicants must provide official undergraduate transcripts and as well as official graduate transcripts if they have them. They must provide a current resume, two letters of recommendation and a personal essay. If they are members of any professional organizations they must provide that information as well. Applicants must have successfully completed English Composition or College Writing, College-level Math or Statistics, General Biology, Anatomy or Physiology, as well as Introductory Psychology or Behavioral Science.
Jefferson University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Master of Science in Disaster Medicine and Management is $1,190 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available with 96 percent of undergraduate and 65 percent of graduate students receiving some type of financial assistance. The Office of Student Financial Aid works as hard as possible to make sure all students who wish to attend Jefferson University are able to afford attendance. In order to qualify for any assistance, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the form must be renewed annually.
Financial aid may be in the form of scholarships or grants which are gift aid that do not need to be repaid. They may also be offered federally subsidized loans. Students may also choose to apply for Parent PLUS or private loans as well. Students who attend on campus may be offered work-study, assistantships or fellowships.
Jefferson University also accepts employer tuition and military benefits to cover the cost of attendance.
Jefferson University has a vision to reimagine health, education, and discovery that provides outstanding value to students. The school strives to improve lives and provide students with an exceptional value, outstanding education and to create graduates who are lifelong learners. Students at Jefferson University are provided an education from two universities that were forged in excellence, propelling them into a new era of education.