About Disaster & Emergency Management
Learn what it takes to effectively make decisions to manage crises.
Knowing how to help communities prepare for and respond to floods, wildfires, epidemics and civil disruptions are just some of the reasons why trained emergency management professionals are needed around the world. York is the only university in Canada to offer a robust education with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Disaster & Emergency Management (DEM). It is a place where you’ll learn to better understand vulnerabilities that contribute to disaster risk, how to ensure continuity of business operations during times of disaster and also devise effective ways for mitigating potential threats and impacts.
In this highly specialized program, students examine topics such as business continuity planning, emergency and disaster risk management, crisis communications, disaster ethics and terrorism-related issues.
Our respected, internationally recognized faculty are all actively engaged in cutting-edge research and bring that timely knowledge into the classroom. You’ll also benefit from networking opportunities and connections to world-class experts through course instruction, conferences, events and a popular field-placement course all by virtue of being in one of the largest cities in the country. There is a DEM student group (@udemyork on Instagram) organizing professional development opportunities as well as social activities throughout the academic year.
The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) offers additional hands-on opportunities for DEM students through the LA&PS Co-op Program. Co-op provides full-time work experience and helps students develop practical skills to better prepare for a burgeoning workforce in the field of disaster and emergency management.
With opportunities to apply for scholarships and awards, leadership positions and participate in events and more, your academic journey will flourish in the BDEM program. Many of the program’s graduates are involved in emergency management, public safety, healthcare and consultancy within governments, multinational companies, the insurance industry, humanitarian organizations and NGOs.