Environmental Science

Master of Science in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance

The Master of Science in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in disaster risk management, humanitarian response, and emergency management. The programme combines disaster management theory with practical field skills, humanitarian operations, and risk reduction application.

Core areas include disaster risk management, humanitarian response, emergency management, disaster preparedness, disaster mitigation, recovery and reconstruction, public health emergencies, crisis communication, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both disaster management theory and practical field exercises and simulations through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology through the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, which was established in 2004 as a Centre for Disaster Management before being upgraded to a full school. MMUST is the leading university in Kenya for disaster management education and offers the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in disaster risk management, humanitarian response, emergency management, disaster preparedness, disaster mitigation, recovery and reconstruction, and crisis communication. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field exercises, simulations, and a supervised research thesis.

MMUST charges approximately KES 165,750/year (KES 331,500 total including KES 30,000 field skills course) for disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Entry requires a relevant Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division from a recognised university, or Second Class Lower Division with two years of relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as disaster management officers, humanitarian coordinators, emergency managers, risk reduction specialists, relief programme managers, and lecturers in disaster management across government agencies, NGOs, international organisations, UN agencies, Red Cross, and universities.

Skills Required

Disaster Risk Management and Reduction
Humanitarian Response and Coordination
Emergency Management and Operations
Disaster Preparedness and Planning
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery
Crisis Communication and Public Information
Public Health Emergency Management
Logistics and Resource Mobilisation
Research Methods in Disaster Management
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Disaster Risk Management and Reduction
Humanitarian Response and Coordination
Emergency Management and Operations
Disaster Preparedness and Planning
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery
Crisis Communication and Public Information
Public Health Emergency Management
Logistics and Resource Mobilisation
Research Methods in Disaster Management
Thesis Research

Certifications

Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Certification
UN Humanitarian Affairs Certification

Specializations

Emergency Management

Focuses on emergency management, covering preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, crisis management, and managing emergency operations.

Humanitarian Response

Examines humanitarian response, covering humanitarian operations, coordination, SPHERE standards, humanitarian charter, and managing humanitarian response.

Disaster Risk Reduction

Covers disaster risk reduction, covering risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, mitigation, DRR frameworks, and managing disaster risk reduction.

Public Health Emergencies

Focuses on public health emergencies, covering epidemic response, health emergencies, WASH, disease outbreaks, and managing public health emergencies.

Recovery and Reconstruction

Examines recovery and reconstruction, covering post-disaster recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation, livelihoods, and managing recovery operations.

Crisis Communication

Covers crisis communication, covering risk communication, public information, media relations, community engagement, and managing crisis communication.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 165,750
Private, up to: Ksh 0
Job market: High

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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Disaster Risk Management and Reduction
Humanitarian Response and Coordination
Emergency Management and Operations
Disaster Preparedness and Planning
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery
Crisis Communication and Public Information
Public Health Emergency Management
Logistics and Resource Mobilisation
Research Methods in Disaster Management
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Disaster Risk Management and Reduction
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, DRR frameworks, Sendai Framework, and managing disaster risk.
Humanitarian Response and Coordination
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers humanitarian operations, coordination, SPHERE standards, humanitarian charter, cluster approach, and managing humanitarian response.
Research Methods in Disaster Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, disaster research methods, and conducting disaster management research, preparing students for their thesis.
Emergency Management and Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, incident command, and managing emergency operations.
Disaster Preparedness and Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers contingency planning, early warning, evacuation, emergency kits, simulations, and managing preparedness.
Public Health Emergency Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines epidemic response, WASH, disease outbreaks, health systems, and managing public health emergencies.
Disaster Mitigation and Risk Mapping
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers mitigation measures, structural and non-structural, risk mapping, GIS, and managing mitigation.
Recovery and Reconstruction
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines post-disaster recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation, livelihoods, and managing recovery operations.
Crisis Communication and Public Information
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers risk communication, public information, media relations, community engagement, and managing crisis communication.
Logistics and Resource Mobilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines supply chain, warehousing, transport, distribution, resource mobilisation, and managing disaster logistics.
Field Skills Course
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers field exercises, simulations, rapid assessment, disaster drills, and practical field skills for disaster management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a disaster management and humanitarian assistance topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and disaster management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Emergency Management
Focuses on emergency management, covering preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, crisis management, and managing emergency operations.
Humanitarian Response
Examines humanitarian response, covering humanitarian operations, coordination, SPHERE standards, humanitarian charter, and managing humanitarian response.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Covers disaster risk reduction, covering risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, mitigation, DRR frameworks, and managing disaster risk reduction.
Public Health Emergencies
Focuses on public health emergencies, covering epidemic response, health emergencies, WASH, disease outbreaks, and managing public health emergencies.
Recovery and Reconstruction
Examines recovery and reconstruction, covering post-disaster recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation, livelihoods, and managing recovery operations.
Crisis Communication
Covers crisis communication, covering risk communication, public information, media relations, community engagement, and managing crisis communication.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance programme combines lectures, field exercises, simulations, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover disaster risk management, humanitarian response, emergency management, and public health emergencies. Disaster risk management sessions examine risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, DRR frameworks, Sendai Framework, and managing disaster risk. Humanitarian response sessions cover humanitarian operations, coordination, SPHERE standards, humanitarian charter, cluster approach, and managing humanitarian response. Emergency management sessions cover preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, incident command, and managing emergency operations. Disaster preparedness sessions cover contingency planning, early warning, evacuation, emergency kits, and managing preparedness. Disaster mitigation sessions cover mitigation measures, structural and non-structural, risk mapping, and managing mitigation. Recovery and reconstruction sessions cover post-disaster recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation, livelihoods, and managing recovery. Public health emergency sessions cover epidemic response, WASH, disease outbreaks, health systems, and managing public health emergencies. Crisis communication sessions cover risk communication, public information, media relations, community engagement, and managing crisis communication. Logistics sessions cover supply chain, warehousing, transport, distribution, resource mobilisation, and managing disaster logistics. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field exercises provide hands-on experience with disaster simulations, emergency drills, and field assessments. Simulations provide hands-on experience with incident command, humanitarian coordination, and crisis scenarios. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with GIS for disaster mapping, rapid assessment tools, and humanitarian standards. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in disaster management and humanitarian assistance. Guest lectures from experienced disaster managers, humanitarian workers, and UN agency professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a disaster management and humanitarian assistance topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for disaster management professionals with Kenya's vulnerability to floods, droughts, fires, and other disasters requiring skilled responders.
MMUST is the leading university in Kenya for disaster management with a dedicated School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance established in 2004.
Programme includes practical field exercises, simulations, and collaborations with government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations.
Graduates are eligible for KRCS certification and UN humanitarian affairs certification, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

Programme is primarily offered by one university (MMUST), limiting institutional choice.
Additional KES 30,000 field skills course fee increases total cost.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in NGOs and government, with limited private sector demand.

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

Public166k to 166k

166k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology166k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

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

MMUST: 301,500/2yr + 30,000 field skills = 165,750/yr (mmust.ac.ke). No private.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. MMUST may offer postgraduate bursaries. KRCS may provide training support for volunteers and staff. Some NGOs and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study in disaster management.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
MMUST Postgraduate Bursary
KRCS Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
MMUST Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
MMUST offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KRCS Training Support
GrantKsh 150,000Kenyan
KRCS may provide training support for volunteers and staff pursuing postgraduate study in disaster management.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: MMUST requires a relevant Bachelor's degree with Second Class Upper Division, or Second Class Lower Division with two years of relevant experience. Relevant fields include disaster management, environmental science, social sciences, public health, engineering, and related disciplines. Contact MMUST for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field exercise reports, simulation reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering disaster risk management, humanitarian response, emergency management, and public health emergencies.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through field exercises, simulations, rapid assessment exercises, GIS practicals, and demonstrating disaster management skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a disaster management and humanitarian assistance topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and disaster management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (public) offers MSc in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance through the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, established in 2004. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in disaster management. Graduates are eligible for KRCS certification and UN humanitarian affairs certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (public) offers MSc in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance through the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, established in 2004. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in disaster management. Graduates are eligible for KRCS certification and UN humanitarian affairs certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Disaster Management Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages disaster programmes, overseeing preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and managing disaster operations.
Humanitarian Coordinator
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Coordinates humanitarian response, overseeing operations, coordination, partnerships, and managing humanitarian programmes.
Emergency Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages emergency operations, overseeing preparedness, response, incident command, and managing emergency operations.
Risk Reduction Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Implements risk reduction programmes, overseeing assessment, mitigation, planning, and managing DRR programmes.
Relief Programme Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages relief programmes, overseeing distribution, logistics, operations, and managing relief programmes.
Disaster Management Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches disaster management at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
ArcGIS for disaster mapping, covering risk mapping, hazard mapping, vulnerability analysis, and managing disaster GIS data.
SPHERE Handbook
Reference
SPHERE Handbook for humanitarian standards, covering minimum standards, humanitarian charter, protection principles, and managing humanitarian response.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering disaster data, survey data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.
KoBo Toolbox
Software
KoBo Toolbox for data collection, covering field surveys, rapid assessment, disaster data, and managing disaster data collection.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Disaster management is just about responding to emergencies.
Disaster management covers comprehensive risk assessment, preparedness, mitigation, recovery, reconstruction, and development beyond just emergency response.
This programme is only for Red Cross workers.
Disaster management skills are valuable for government officials, NGO workers, UN staff, military, police, health workers, and educators beyond just Red Cross workers.
Humanitarian assistance is just about distributing food.
Humanitarian assistance covers comprehensive shelter, WASH, health, protection, education, livelihoods, and coordination beyond just food distribution.
Disaster risk reduction is just about building dams.
Disaster risk reduction covers comprehensive vulnerability analysis, community resilience, early warning, policy, planning, and development integration.
Emergency management is just about sending rescuers.
Emergency management covers comprehensive preparedness, incident command, coordination, logistics, communication, and recovery management.
Recovery is just about rebuilding houses.
Recovery covers comprehensive reconstruction, livelihoods, psychosocial support, governance, DRR integration, and sustainable development.