Disaster & Emergency Management

York's Master of Disaster & Emergency Management (MDEM) is the only graduate program of its kind in Ontario and one of only two in Canada. The program equips students with the skills and competencies required to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from local, national and international disasters and emergencies.

Intended for those with an academic background or work experience in the field, the program builds on the foundational knowledge students bring to their studies while helping them to develop the leadership skills and knowledge needed for mid to senior level emergency managers.

Online bridging course exists for students without a background in Disaster & Emergency Management to acquire this foundational knowledge before beginning the program.

Studying on either a full-time or part-time basis in a flexible program that will allow you to pursue your own area of special interest, you will learn from an impressive group of academics with expertise in areas like environmental risks and management, natural hazards, business continuity planning, public health, humanitarian law, crisis management, war and complex emergencies.

Degrees Offered

Master of Disaster & Emergency Management (MDEM)

• You must have graduated from a recognized postsecondary institution holding an honours degree or equivalent. Some programs consider applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree and relevant work experience.
  
  Undergraduate degrees not designated as honours degrees may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree if they contain a minimum of 120 credits (typically, a four-year program with full time enrolment) including the completion of a minimum of 6 credits at the fourth-year level at an accredited postsecondary institution.
  
  Three-year first cycle undergraduate degrees from institutions that meet the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.
  
  If you completed your undergraduate or master’s studies outside Canada, you may need to complete additional courses to qualify for admission to a graduate program at York. Please contact the relevant program office for more information.
  
  If you have completed a four year undergraduate degree at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology, you will need to contact Office of Admissions to have the requirement added to your record. This will allow your transcript to be uploaded to continue the admission process.


• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least a “B” or equivalent, is required. Most programs require at least a “B+” or equivalent. Your GPA is assessed over the last two years of undergraduate study (full time, or equivalent); or, if you have a master’s degree, we will use your highest level of education to calculate your GPA. Please be sure to check International Credential Equivalencies.
  
  Your GPA is a critical consideration is determining admissibility. Also, be sure to check the specific requirements of your program of choice. In rare cases, a program any choose to give priority to a candidates professional or creative accomplishments, or other relevant experiences, recommendations, portfolio, or test results.

If your first language is not English, you must show you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test.

If you have completed at least one full year at an accredited university in a country where English is the official language of the institution, you may be exempt from this requirement.

1. Meet minimum admission requirements
2. Meet program-specific requirements
3. Know the application deadlines
4. Submit your application
5. Submit all required documentation
6. Check on Transfer Credit for Advanced Placement