Emergency and Disaster Management Program Prepares Students to Think Critically and Act Decisively
In a constantly evolving field, Jefferson grads are poised to help people during their most difficult moments.
The emergency and disaster management program takes a holistic approach to education and prepares students to be leaders in the field, says Program Director Dr. David Nitsch. (Photos by ©Thomas Jefferson University Photography Services)
Graduates from Jefferson’s emergency and disaster management (EDM) program work in local, state and federal emergency management, health care, nonprofits, the military and international organizations, such as the Red Cross and World Health Organization.
“This diversity of employment illustrates the need for emergency management professionals in all manner of settings and helps to develop the understanding that emergency management professionals are daily problem-solvers—not just when something goes wrong,” explains EDM Program Director Dr. David Nitsch.
To serve the broad spectrum of students, Jefferson offers an MS in EDM, a dual EDM/master of public health degree and graduate certificates in EDM and business and organizational continuity.
“Emergency management is a continually evolving profession,” Dr. Nitsch says. “We have the opportunity and responsibility to prepare the next generation of emergency management leaders and scholars.”
Dr. David Nitsch says the support for original emergency and disaster management research is a compelling benefit of working and studying at Jefferson.
What major areas does the EDM curriculum focus on, and how does Jefferson best prepare students to enter the workforce or advance their careers?
The EDM program takes a holistic approach to education and prepares students to be leaders in the emergency management field. Our talented faculty accomplish this through the recognized “all-hazards” doctrine of emergency management, which means the curriculum focuses on the similarities of emergencies and not necessarily the specifics of each type of emergency.
We prepare students to think critically and synthesize information. These become crucial skills as emergency managers often must make actionable decisions with limited or imperfect information.
To tailor our program to students’ interests, we offer three concentrations: homeland security, healthcare emergency management and business continuity, with cybersecurity coming soon.
What separates Jefferson’s EDM program from other schools?
We have tremendous faculty with decades of experience directly or tangentially related to emergency management. They come to us from health care and medicine, industrial safety, emergency services and military special operations communities.
We have the opportunity and responsibility to prepare the next generation of emergency management leaders and scholars.
The other significant differentiator is our connection to the Jefferson enterprise. We can collaborate with nontraditional departments, such as the College for Architecture & the Built Environment and Center for Faculty Development and Nexus Learning. These collaborative relationships have opened doors to original research, distinguishing us.
What research is coming out of the program?
The opportunity and support for original research is a compelling benefit of working and studying at Jefferson. The encouragement of interdisciplinary engagement for faculty and students is a remarkable strength for the University.
Our department is currently involved in several research projects, including a JeffSmart grant project with the College of Nursing, College of Architecture & the Built Environment and Department of Emergency Medicine to examine household emergency preparedness in Philadelphia. Another study, funded through the Center for Faculty Development and Nexus Learning, assesses the benefits of using virtual reality in emergency management education.
We also have recently submitted a letter of intent, again with the College of Architecture & the Built Environment, to develop sustainable design strategies for health infrastructure in flood-prone areas of Malawi. Lastly, in collaboration with the University of Washington, we’re working on a scoping review for embedded unexploded ordnance to be presented in November at the 6th WHO Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Jeffersons prepare students to think critically and synthesize information, Dr. David Nitsch says. These become crucial skills as emergency managers often must make actionable decisions with limited or imperfect information. (Photo by © Adobe Stock/Satoshi Kina)
How has the program’s move to online benefited students?
It gives them the flexibility to obtain an advanced degree while simultaneously managing the competing priorities of working adults. Most faculty have followed a similar path toward their education and bring a realistic understanding of the challenges associated with going back to school.
Even being online, do students still complete real-world exercises or have real-world training?
Students attend an on-campus “intensive” week as part of their graduation requirements. This serves as a culmination of their academic achievements and allows students to demonstrate their emergency management skills and knowledge.
Students must participate in an emergency management exercise during the on-campus week. This year, through a partnership with a local emergency management agency, our students planned, developed and delivered an exercise to the county’s emergency management and emergency services organizations.
Emergency management’s most important—and rewarding—aspect is engagement with people and communities.
Our students developed this exercise based on an actual severe weather event that significantly impacted the area. A resounding success, this effort provided a real-world opportunity for students to engage with a “client” and hone skills necessary for their respective emergency management careers.
What do you love most about working in this field?
As cliché as this may sound, I’m thrilled to work at Jefferson! The University offers vast opportunities to faculty and staff eager to promote new relationships and ideas.
My emergency management background has provided me with many opportunities domestically and abroad to assist people in need during the worst circumstances. Positively impacting someone’s life is the most fulfilling part of the field.
