Master of Arts in Crisis Response & Disaster Management
The Master of Arts in Crisis Response and Disaster Management provides advanced training in crisis management, disaster response, emergency management, humanitarian assistance, and disaster risk reduction. Students learn crisis response theory, disaster management, emergency operations, humanitarian coordination, and disaster risk reduction. The programme is designed for security professionals, military personnel, emergency managers, and humanitarian workers seeking advanced crisis and disaster management expertise.
Students develop advanced competencies in crisis response, disaster management, emergency operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster risk reduction, and policy analysis. The curriculum covers crisis response theory, disaster management frameworks, emergency operations, humanitarian assistance and coordination, disaster risk reduction, research methods, crisis communication, and a research dissertation. Practical skills are developed through case studies and scenario exercises.
Crisis and disaster management expertise is critical for Kenya, which faces natural disasters, security crises, and humanitarian emergencies. National and county governments, military, security forces, humanitarian organisations, and international agencies require trained personnel for crisis and disaster management. Kenya's vulnerability to disasters and security crises creates demand for expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced crisis response and disaster management training.
The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, scenario exercises, and research. Students study crisis management concepts, analyse disaster responses, examine humanitarian operations, and conduct research. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, scenario-based exercises, and research supervision. The programme emphasises analytical and practical skills for crisis and disaster management.
Graduates find employment in national and county government emergency management, military, security forces, humanitarian organisations, international agencies, and disaster management authorities. The master's degree supports careers in crisis management leadership, disaster policy, and humanitarian coordination.
This programme is ideal for security professionals, military personnel, emergency managers, and humanitarian workers seeking advanced crisis response and disaster management expertise. The programme provides specialised skills for crisis leadership and disaster management roles.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 220,500
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time, Part-time, Modular
- Attachment
- 0 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Master
What you study
10 subjects- Crisis Response Theory
- Disaster Management Frameworks
- Emergency Operations
- Humanitarian Assistance and Coordination
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Crisis Communication
- Research Methods
- Post-Disaster Recovery
- Security Crisis Management
- Dissertation Research
Modules
8 in the programmeCrisis Response Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Crisis response theory covering crisis concepts, crisis types, crisis management models, decision-making in crises, and crisis response frameworks.
Disaster Management Frameworks
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Disaster management frameworks covering disaster management cycles, national and international frameworks, Sendai Framework, and disaster management systems.
Emergency Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Emergency operations covering emergency operations centres, incident command systems, emergency planning, evacuation, and managing emergency response operations.
Research Methods in Crisis and Disaster Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, field research in crisis settings, and research ethics.
Humanitarian Assistance and Coordination
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Humanitarian assistance covering humanitarian principles, humanitarian coordination, cluster approach, humanitarian logistics, and humanitarian programme management.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Disaster risk reduction covering risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, early warning systems, community-based DRR, and building disaster resilience.
Crisis Communication and Post-Disaster Recovery
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Crisis communication covering crisis communication strategies, media management, and post-disaster recovery covering reconstruction, livelihoods, and building back better.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research dissertation on a crisis response or disaster management topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to disaster management knowledge.
Specialisations
Emergency Operations
Focus on emergency operations centres, incident command, emergency planning, evacuation, and managing emergency response.
Humanitarian Assistance
Focus on humanitarian coordination, humanitarian logistics, humanitarian programme management, and humanitarian principles.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Focus on risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, early warning systems, community-based DRR, and building disaster resilience.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on crisis management or disaster response with afternoon case studies and scenario exercises. Students study crisis response concepts, analyse disaster operations, examine humanitarian coordination, and conduct research. Scenario exercises involve crisis simulations and disaster response planning. The programme emphasises analytical skills, operational planning, and practical crisis management competence in national security and humanitarian contexts.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Crisis and disaster management expertise is critical for Kenya's national security and humanitarian needs.
- Offered at NDU-K, a specialised defence university with direct links to national security institutions.
- Provides advanced qualifications for crisis management leadership and humanitarian coordination roles.
Against it
- The programme is offered at a specialised defence institution with restricted access.
- Specific fee data is not publicly available; estimate based on comparable programmes.
- Career opportunities may be primarily within government, military, and humanitarian sectors.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 241 social sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
UoN proxy 441K/2yr(uonbi.ac.ke). NDU-K fees not public. Private unverified.
As a government defence institution, NDU-K may provide government sponsorship for military and security personnel. HELB loans may be available for eligible Kenyan students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- Alternative entry
- Bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Lower Division) in Security Studies, Disaster Management, Social Sciences, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Security clearance may be required. Contact NDU-K for specific requirements.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework and Case Studies
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, case study analyses, and scenario exercises evaluating understanding of crisis and disaster management concepts.
Scenario Exercises and Projects
Project30% of the mark
Crisis simulation exercises, disaster response planning projects, and humanitarian coordination assignments.
Dissertation Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's dissertation demonstrating research competence in crisis response and disaster management.
Accreditation
NDU-K is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
NDU-K is chartered by CUE. MA programme accredited by CUE.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesCrisis Management Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages crisis response in government, military, or security organisations, coordinating emergency operations and crisis decision-making.
Disaster Management Coordinator
Moderate demand
Coordinates disaster management programmes in government, humanitarian organisations, or international agencies, managing disaster preparedness and response.
Humanitarian Programme Manager
Moderate demand
Manages humanitarian programmes in NGOs or international organisations, coordinating emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and recovery programmes.
Emergency Management Advisor
Moderate demand
Advises government or organisations on emergency management, developing emergency plans, risk reduction strategies, and crisis response protocols.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment in emergency management, military, security forces, and humanitarian organisations, with specialised expertise in crisis response, disaster management, and humanitarian coordination.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Disaster management is just about emergency response.
Disaster management covers preparedness, risk reduction, response, recovery, and policy, not just emergency response.
Crisis management is only for emergency services.
Crisis management involves military, government, humanitarian organisations, and private sector, requiring coordination across multiple sectors.
Disaster management is only about natural disasters.
Disaster management covers natural disasters, security crises, technological disasters, pandemics, and complex emergencies.
Crisis response doesn't need academic training.
Effective crisis response requires training in frameworks, coordination, risk assessment, policy, and research, not just practical experience.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Arts in Crisis Response & Disaster Management are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.