The only graduate program in the country focusing on FEMA's resilience framework, this degree targets the role and development of leadership and resiliency to produce effective programs or outcomes for communities. Born in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy uses anti-imperialist methods to design and implement proactive disaster and emergency management solutions.
In New Orleans, we've seen our fair share of disasters, both man-made and natural. But no matter what, we always bounce back. This program seeks to bring our spirit of resilience to communities across the nation and the globe.
| Program | Enrollment Options | Term Start | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Type | Modality | Full-Time | Part-Time | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| MS Disaster Resilience Leadership | Online | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| On Campus | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | -- | -- | |
The DRLA Faculty Steering Committee evaluates all applications for admission in the graduate program. Admission decisions take into account undergraduate and graduate courses and grades, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of purpose.
We encourage prospective applicants to communicate with the program via phone and/or email and secure answers to any questions they might have regarding the program. When feasible, a face-to-face meeting and campus tour may be arranged.
Applicants to the MS DRL program must submit the following documents with their electronic application:
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) - If you are unsure how to format your resume, feel free to reference our guide.
- Official Transcript(s) - One copy of official transcript(s) from each Certificate, Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral level institution you have attended. To be considered official, a transcript (1) must be sent directly from your institution to Tulane School of Social Work and (2) must show completion of coursework required for the degree, the degree earned, and the date of degree conferral.
- If your overall GPA from your undergraduate degree-granting institution is 3.0 or higher, you are not required to submit transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credit toward your Bachelor's degree.
- References/Recommendations - A minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation (LORs) must be received from the recommenders through the application portal. Please note that NO personal references (family, friends, social acquaintances, co-workers) will be accepted. Applicants should select at least two academic or professional references from the following categories:
- Professors
- Academic mentors
- Employers or supervisors
| Fall On-Campus Academy | ||
|---|---|---|
| Early Submission Deadline | March 1 | |
| Priority Submission Deadline | April 1 | |
| Final Submission Deadline | June 1 | |
| Deposit Deadline | June 15 | |
Official TOEFL test scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the DRLA Program via the Tulane School of Social Work, the code is 6183. We also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in lieu of the TOEFL examination. Review our International Student Admission Policy here.
