Support individuals. Strengthen families. Serve communities.
Earn a Master’s Degree or Graduate Certificate in Disaster Resilience Leadership to build stronger, more prepared communities.
A Holistic Human-Centered Approach to Mitigating, Preparing for, and Managing Disasters
Don’t just prepare communities to manage disasters—partner with them to address the root causes of vulnerability. The Disaster Resilience Leadership curriculum applies a perspective of assessing people within their environments to emphasize the human element of disaster management, preparing graduates to better mitigate, adapt, prepare for, and manage disasters. The only program of its kind in the nation driven by social and environmental justice, both the Disaster Resilience Leadership Master’s degree and graduate certificate teach core competencies that provide interdisciplinary knowledge that bridge the gap between logistics and people to help build resilient communities.
Earn your Master of Science in Disaster Resilience Leadership (MS-DRL) or graduate-level Disaster Resilience Leadership (DRL) certificate and collaborate with communities to affect change through hazard mitigation, adaptation, grassroots development, disaster recovery program development, mental health support, and more. The program, guided by the National Disaster Recovery Framework and the Sendai Framework, takes a multidisciplinary, systemic approach to disaster management—building strength in communities at the fundamental policy level so if human-made or natural disasters strike, those affected are prepared and supported with dignity.
Top School, Affordable Degree
Tulane School of Social Work maintains a competitive tuition rate that is on par with many peer institutions. Through generous individual, corporate, and foundation donors, there are a number of scholarships awarded to social work students.
For MSW Candidates: By completing your application, you will automatically be considered for merit based scholarships.
- Prospective students applying to a traditional (4 or 8-semester program) MSW, MSW/DRL, or DRL program will receive a minimum merit award totaling $15,000 at the time of admission.
- Prospective students applying to the Advanced Standing (3 or 6-semester program) MSW or MSW/DRL program will receive a minimum merit award totaling $11,250 at the time of admission.
We also encourage you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, as you may be eligible for need-based scholarships.
The Energy of New Orleans, Anywhere in the World
Whether you decide to study on campus or online, you’ll learn from experts who have lived and worked in one of the most diverse areas in the country: New Orleans. Faculty pass on their real-life lessons in innovation and advocacy gained from the rich history of our city. So, no matter where you are learning, you’ll gain the cultural competency and creativity needed to influence change in communities of all kinds.
Focus on the People, Not Just the Infrastructure
The MS-DRL is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based program that puts communities and the people that make them up at the center of its curriculum. Our coursework focuses on leadership and resilience to apply a human-centered approach to disaster management, both logistically and socially.
Gain valuable education from a program that focuses on resilience modalities—which produce effective and positive outcomes—centered on the individual and their community. You’ll learn from a disaster preparedness, management, and recovery curriculum that puts people and communities first.
The DRL core competency curriculum was developed as a direct response to previous failures in disaster operations and decision-making by national, nonprofit, and corporate organizations. In this program, you’ll learn to identify important policy gaps in lapses in adaptation and preparedness at the highest levels.
If you already have a Masters degree, you can build further expertise and focus on addressing the root causes of vulnerability and helping communities build holistic preparedness.
In the DRL program, you’ll work with our nationally and internationally recognized and culturally diverse faculty who offer experiential mentorship and years of experience in supporting communities with dignity and contextual understanding.
See Which DRL Option is Right for You
You can take the Disaster Resilience Leadership program as a standalone Master’s Degree, as a graduate certificate on top of your existing Master’s, or in conjunction with a dual degree with our Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
MS-DRL
For graduates from any field or BSW graduates who want a very specific focus on managing and mitigating natural or human-made disasters in vulnerable communities.
| Online | On-Campus | Time to Complete | Term Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | 12-16 Months | August | ||
| Part-Time | 24-48 Months | August |
MSW/MS-DRL
For graduates from any field or BSW graduates who want to plan, deliver, and manage human services within communities vulnerable to natural and human-made disasters.
| Online | On-Campus | Time to Complete | Term Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | 20 Months | January (online only), May (online only) and August | ||
| Part-Time | 40 Months | January (online only), May (online only) and August |
DRL Certificate
For existing graduates of MS programs who want to augment their skillset to add a focus on delivering and managing human services within communities vulnerable to natural and human-made disasters.
| Online | On-Campus | Time to Complete | Term Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | 4-8 months | January (online only), May (online only) and August | ||
| Part-Time | Up to 20 months or 5 semesters | January (online only), May (online only) and August |
Prepare Yourself and Your Community for Disaster Resiliency
Both the Master’s degree and graduate certificate prepare you to focus your efforts on the human, infrastructure, economic, environmental, and operational factors of disaster preparedness and management. Graduates of these programs will be well-prepared to support the strengths and knowledge of communities, addressing problems at the policy level and developing systems for proper program management.
Whether you’re looking to put your focus on governmental change, nonprofit humanitarianism, or the corporate sphere—the MS-DRL will prepare you to become a true partner with the communities and individuals you’re working with.
Spring Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
November 1st
Application Complete
December 5th
Classes Start
January
Fall Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
June 1st
Application Complete
July 1st
Classes Start
August
Fall Admission Deadlines
Priority to Submit
April 1st
Application Complete
June 1st
Classes Start
August
"The Disaster Resilience Leadership curriculum has core competencies that cover the principles of disaster management in the international and domestic context, which allowed me to pursue career opportunities in both humanitarian aid and emergency management."
— Will Gaston, MS-DRL graduate
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Find out which program is the best fit for your personal and professional goals.
