Environmental Science

Master of Arts in Disaster Management

The Master of Arts in Disaster Management provides advanced training in disaster management, disaster risk reduction, emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and post-disaster recovery. Students learn disaster management theory, risk assessment, emergency operations, humanitarian coordination, and post-disaster recovery. The programme is designed for disaster management professionals, humanitarian workers, and emergency managers seeking advanced qualifications.

Students develop advanced competencies in disaster management, risk reduction, emergency response, humanitarian assistance, post-disaster recovery, and policy analysis. The curriculum covers disaster management theory, disaster risk reduction, emergency operations, humanitarian assistance, post-disaster recovery, research methods, GIS for disaster management, and a research dissertation. Practical skills are developed through field courses and case studies.

Disaster management expertise is critical for Kenya, which faces floods, droughts, landslides, fires, and other disasters. National and county governments, disaster management authorities, humanitarian organisations, and international agencies require trained personnel. Kenya's vulnerability to natural and human-made disasters creates demand for expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced disaster management training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with field courses, case studies, and research. Students study disaster management concepts, conduct risk assessments, analyse emergency operations, and undertake research. Teaching methods include lectures, field courses, case studies, and research supervision. The programme emphasises practical skills and research competence.

Graduates find employment as disaster management officers, emergency response coordinators, humanitarian programme managers, or risk reduction specialists in national and county government, disaster management authorities, humanitarian organisations, and international agencies. The master's degree supports careers in disaster management leadership and policy.

This programme is ideal for disaster management professionals, humanitarian workers, and emergency managers seeking advanced qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for disaster management leadership and humanitarian coordination roles.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Disaster Management Theory
Disaster Risk Reduction
Emergency Response Operations
Humanitarian Assistance
Post-Disaster Recovery
GIS for Disaster Management
Research Methods
Climate Change and Disasters
Disaster Policy and Governance
Dissertation Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Disaster Management Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Disaster management theory covering disaster concepts, disaster management cycles, disaster management frameworks, and the evolution of disaster management as a discipline.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Disaster risk reduction covering risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, early warning systems, community-based DRR, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Emergency Response Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Emergency response operations covering emergency operations centres, incident command, emergency planning, evacuation, and coordinating emergency response.
Research Methods in Disaster Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, field research in disaster settings, and research ethics.
Humanitarian Assistance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Humanitarian assistance covering humanitarian principles, humanitarian coordination, humanitarian logistics, shelter, WASH, and humanitarian programme management.
GIS for Disaster Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
GIS for disaster management covering spatial analysis for disaster risk, hazard mapping, vulnerability mapping, and using GIS for disaster management planning.
Post-Disaster Recovery and Climate Change
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Post-disaster recovery covering reconstruction, livelihoods, building back better, and climate change covering climate-related disasters and climate adaptation.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research dissertation on a disaster management topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to disaster management knowledge and practice.

Specialisations

Disaster Risk Reduction
Focus on risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, early warning systems, community-based DRR, and building disaster resilience.
Humanitarian Assistance
Focus on humanitarian coordination, humanitarian logistics, shelter, WASH, and humanitarian programme management.
Post-Disaster Recovery
Focus on post-disaster reconstruction, livelihoods recovery, building back better, and long-term recovery planning.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on disaster management with afternoon field exercises and research work. Students study disaster management concepts, conduct risk assessments, practise emergency operations, and use GIS for disaster mapping. Field courses provide hands-on experience in disaster response skills. The programme emphasises practical disaster management skills, risk reduction planning, and research competence.

The trade offs

In its favour

MMUST has a dedicated School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, established in 2004, with strong expertise.
Disaster management expertise is increasingly important as Kenya faces more frequent disasters.
Includes practical field skills course providing hands-on disaster response training.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting accessibility.
Additional KES 30,000 for Field Skills Course is not included in the main fee structure.
Career opportunities may depend on government and NGO funding for disaster management programmes.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public187k to 296k

187k at Moi University296k at Kenyatta University

Annual 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

KU KES 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~KES 187,200/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Private unverified.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. MMUST may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB 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 Disaster Management, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, or related field from a CUE-recognised institution. Relevant work experience may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, examinations, and assignments evaluating understanding of disaster management concepts.
Field Course and Practical Assignments
Practical30% of the mark
Field skills course, risk assessment exercises, GIS assignments, and emergency response practicals.
Dissertation Defence
Project30% of the mark
A master's dissertation demonstrating research competence in disaster management.

Accreditation

MMUST is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MA programme is accredited by CUE.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
MMUST 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 roles

Disaster Management Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages disaster management programmes in national or county government, coordinating preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
Emergency Response Coordinator
Moderate demand
Coordinates emergency response operations in government, humanitarian organisations, or emergency management agencies.
Humanitarian Programme Manager
Moderate demand
Manages humanitarian programmes in NGOs or international organisations, coordinating disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
Risk Reduction Specialist
Moderate demand
Specialises in disaster risk reduction in government, NGOs, or international agencies, developing risk reduction strategies and resilience programmes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as disaster management officers, emergency response coordinators, and humanitarian programme managers in government, disaster management authorities, and humanitarian organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Disaster management is just about responding to emergencies.
Disaster management covers preparedness, risk reduction, response, recovery, policy, and research, not just emergency response.
Disaster management is only for emergency services.
Disaster management involves government, NGOs, international organisations, communities, and private sector, requiring multidisciplinary expertise.
Disaster management is only about natural disasters.
Disaster management covers natural disasters, technological disasters, pandemics, conflict-related disasters, and complex emergencies.
An MA in disaster management is less rigorous than an MSc.
Both MA and MSc in disaster management are rigorous programmes; the MA may focus more on policy and governance while the MSc may focus more on technical aspects.