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Top 6 Disaster Management Bachelors for Humanitarians

A bachelors degree in disaster management can provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and man-made disasters. The lessons learned in these programs can be applied to a variety of settings, including public safety agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and government organizations.

Disaster management programs often cover a wide range of topics, from emergency preparedness and response to recovery and rebuilding efforts. Students may also learn about risk assessment and mitigation strategies, as well as how to effectively communicate with stakeholders during a crisis. These skills are critical for anyone who wants to work in this field, as they can mean the difference between life and death in some cases.

Here are a variety of bachelor degrees in disasters management for your consideration:

Disaster Management and Emergency Planning BSc (Hons) – Coventry University, the United Kingdom

At Coventry University, the Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing runs a unique Bachelor of Science program in Disaster Management and Emergency Planning. The program, which takes three years to complete, has been run by the University for over two decades and has hired highly experienced faculty members to shape the curriculum. More specifically, the curriculum is mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Civil Contingencies which was developed by the Emergency Planning Society of the UK. Consequently, students who graduate from this program are well-equipped for the professional world and find it easy to get a job even though they only hold undergraduate degrees.

Some of the core courses students undertake include Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Management, Numerical and Spatial Skills, Field Operations and Project Management, and Employment Skills. Students also have the opportunity to develop highly-valued practical skills in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) which are commonly used in disaster interventions.

Entry Requirements: The University sets a different set of requirements for home, EU, and overseas students. To find out which requirements apply to you and your specific educational background, please consult this page. All foreign students (both EU and non-EU) are required to take an English as a Foreign Language exam such as IELTS with the minimum mark being 6.0.

Fees and scholarships: Annual tuition costs amount to £9,250 for UK and EU students, while international students pay £13,150. Coventry University offers a range of partial tuition scholarships to both home and international students.

International Disaster Management BSc (Hons) – Coventry University, the United Kingdom

Coventry University offers another top humanitarian Bachelor degree in International Disaster Management. This particular program has been developed to respond to the current great need for more efficient disaster management. In the past decade, more than a billion people have been affected by some sort of disaster that caused them to be displaced or suffer from material damage. For these reasons, Coventry University trains students to minimize the impact of disasters and help communities become more resilient. The curriculum for this program is also in line with the National Occupational Standards for Civil Contingencies developed by the Emergency Planning Society of the UK, which makes it extremely practical and relevant in the field of humanitarian aid. During their three years of study, students take courses such as Geopolitics of Disaster Management, WASH: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Humanitarian Interventions. Students also have an opportunity to study abroad for a year and gain international experience in humanitarian aid and action.

Entry Requirements: The University sets a different set of requirements for home, EU, and overseas students. To find out which requirements apply to you and your specific educational background, please consult this page. All foreign students (both EU and non-EU) are required to take an English as a Foreign Language exam such as IELTS with the minimum mark being 6.0.

Fees and scholarships: Annual tuition costs amount to £9,250 for UK and EU students, while international students pay £13,150. Coventry University offers a range of partial tuition scholarships to both home and international students.

International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response BSc – The University of Manchester, the United Kingdom

The International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response Bachelor of Science program offered by the University of Manchester is one of the most popular amongst such degrees – merely one in four applicants is successfully admitted. The three-year-long program is developed for those who want to gain profound knowledge and understanding of current disaster management techniques and emergency response as well as to acquire some practical fieldwork knowledge in these areas during their studies. More precisely, the courses included in the program are a combination of theory in practice and include topics such as Everyday Peacebuilding and Security, Aid in Insecure Environment, and War, Migration and Health. Furthermore, this course consists of a field study either in the UK or abroad as well as a work placement such as internship with one of the humanitarian organizations present in the field of humanitarian aid and action. Students also have an opportunity to write a research dissertation in their final semester.

Entry requirements: The University holds specific requirements for admission depending on where the applicant graduated from high school. To find out more, read these detailed admission requirements. Furthermore, the University asks all applicants to submit a proof of English language proficiency, which for international students would be IELTS exam with a minimum of 6.5 points.

Fees and scholarships: Home and EU students are required to pay £9,250 per year towards their tuition fees, while international students pay £18,500. Some limited scholarships covering a part of those tuition fees are available.

Emergency and Disaster Management- Northwest Missouri State University

This multidisciplinary major focuses on three core areas of humanitarian fieldwork: emergency management, humanitarian relief, and defense. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to apply effective leadership in preparing for and responding to national and international humanitarian crises.

International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response- The University of Manchester

At the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, students can earn a Bachelor of Science focused on developing knowledge of resiliency and recovery. This program prepares students for fieldwork during and after disasters and crises.

Disaster Management and Emergency Response- Coventry University

Coventry University in Coventry, United Kingdom recognizes the increased need for professions who can make a positive impact on the ever-increasing number of terrorist events, violence, and natural disasters occurring in our world. This program presents a curriculum that equips students for responding to disasters and providing relief, as well increasing capacity for prevention and preparedness.

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