Master of Science in Disaster-Risk Management (Ladderized)

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

The curriculum is ladderized.  It will be offered in trimester with three subjects per semester. The first year will be a post baccalaureate diploma program on disaster management which intends to produce an Operational (Field/Ground)Commander.  The requirement for finishing the diploma course is passing nine (9) subjects equivalent to 26 units of courses, which include a special problem on any aspect of disaster management, from preparedness to recovery.

The Master’s level aims to produce an incident Commander.  The student who finished the diploma program has to take six subjects more, equivalent to 21 units to be able to finish the course.  The requirement for graduation is a Master’s Thesis.  The graduates of the program are expected to have the competencies stipulated in the program objectives.

Objectives of the Program

The Graduates of the MS program will have the job of an incident Commander, while the graduates of the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Program will have the job of an Operational(Field/Ground) Commander.  As such, they are expected to possess certain levels of competencies required to perform the jobs, which are stipulated as follows:

  1. Work theoretically and practically in all the stages of disaster management-disaster-risk reduction, response and recovery, and understand how these are connected.
  2. Analyze evaluate and manage the dynamic factors of disasters on an individual and  community levels of mitigate effects of hazards.
  3. Analyze and evaluate the underlying physical/environmental, social/political/cultural economic, legal/institutional/organizational and health-related psychological aspects that influence the vulnerabilities and capacities of individuals and communities to prepare for and prevent disasters.
  4. Work strategically and operationally in all stages of Disaster Management and be able to:
    • Monitor & evaluate hazards/risks through the conduct of research, trending, mapping and establishing database for use in planning, implementing risk reduction &preparedness actions.
    • Analyze and evaluate the needs of disaster struck individuals and communities; prioritize and implement, and coordinate/collaborate for response  activities; and
    • Analyze and evaluate recovery needs and implement, coordinate, collaborate and evaluate activities for sustainable recovery.
  5. Analyze and evaluate recovery needs and implement, coordinate, collaborate and evaluate activities for sustainable recovery. Collect documents, analyze and communicate information regarding risks, humanitarian needs, or lessons learned from earlier disasters in order to mitigate future disaster/calamities.

DIPLOMA DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Summary of Minimum Requirements
Course Requirements Units
Major Courses 26
Total 26

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Summary of Minimum Requirements
Course Requirements Units
Major Courses 46
Thesis 4
Total 50