MPH Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief, & Homeland Security

COPH Department: Global Health
Concentration:Global Disaster Management & Humanitarian Relief (Code: GDM)
Minimum Credit Hours: 46

The field of disaster management and humanitarian relief plays an important role in global health, especially in areas of armed conflict and natural disasters. With the increase in weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear and biological threats from terrorist groups and radical states, the need for formal training and education has increased. Local and international organizations, governments and United Nation agencies are in need of highly trained professionals to manage and direct programs to reduce the global public health threats that continue to plague us. Where and when the next tsunami or earthquake will strike, or how the next terrorist group will respond is unknown. But the logic behind professionally mitigating and preparing for one of these incidences places us in a stronger position to respond. This concentration builds on the existing framework of the College of Public Health core courses, field experience and special project. Combining this framework with the existing disaster management and humanitarian courses will provide graduates with the ability to recognize, assess, implement and evaluate a global or local disaster.

Check Sheets by Year:

2015/16

Please print the check sheet and take it with you to your advising appointments each semester.

To track your fufillment of degree and concentration competencies, login to the COPH Competencies Database.

Master of Public Health Degree Competencies

Error rendering macro 'excerpt-include' : No link could be created for 'COPHHB:MPH Concentration Check Sheets'.

Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief, & Homeland Security Competencies

In addition to the overall Master of Public Health degree competencies, graduates with a concentration in Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Assistance and Homeland Security will:

Describe the disaster cycle;
Understand the role of the local, state and federal government in the recovery process;
Discuss the shift from disaster management practices towards an integrated disaster risk reduction approach in the context of sustainable development;
Understand at least two methods of assessment for specific emergency situations in the field;
Develop, implement, and monitor adequacy of services provided to affected populations;
Articulate the historic and evolving role of humanitarian assistance;
Conduct a critical analysis of early warning systems;
Apply environmental health principles to establish a safe water supply and to implement sanitary measures;
Prepare and implement a plan to integrate displaced persons into the local community; and
Know basic leadership skills to overcome challenges in humanitarian assistance.

Curriculum

Program Coursework

*Requirement*		CH*	*Pre-Reqs*
College Core and Foundation Courses		16
Required Concentration Courses		24
PHC 6230	Foundations of Humanitarian Assistance	3
PHC 6183	Overview of US & International Disaster Management	3
PHC 6234	Public Health Implications and Concerns in Homeland Security	3
Choose five courses from the following
Disaster Management
PHC 6185	Disaster Preparedness & Planning Concepts	3
PHC 6184	Disaster Recovery	3
PHC 6186	Public Health Emergencies in Large Populations	3
Humanitarian Assistance
PHC 6231	Organizing Emergency Humanitarian Action	3
PHC 6232	From Emergency to Development and Prevention	3	PHC 6230, 6231
PHC 6233	Current Challenges in the Humanitarian Field	3	PHC 6230, 6231
Homeland Security
PHC 6235	Critical Infrastructure Protection for Public Health Concepts	3
PHC 6236	Business Continuity for Global Health and Security	3
PHC 6237	Homeland Security: Law, Policy, and Public Health	3
PHC 6373	Protecting Public Health: Bioterrorism and Biodefense	3
MPH Requirements		6
PHC 6945	Supervised Field Experience	3-6	See note #1
PHC 6977	Special Project	3
Total Minimum Credit Hours		46

* CH=Credit Hours; Seq= Term Sequence; Pre-reqs= prerequisite courses unless noted as CR (co-requisite) or CC (Concurrent requisite)

During 2^nd semester meet with advisor and begin planning field experience. See http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/fe/. May be met through the Peace Corps Master’s International option.
Only traditional track option available open to students in this program when completing College Core courses
Any grade below a C (C- to F) is required to be retaken. The grade will be included in the student's GPA.
The College Reserves All Rights to Repeal And/or Modify.
Term sequence given as Fall starting term.