Although many graduate programs focus on disaster and risk management, none of them specifically target the role and development of interdisciplinary leadership. The Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy is the first academic program with a dynamic and innovative focus on effective systems and programs that instill resilience within individuals, households, and communities. Combining this with a fully accredited Master of Social Work will enable you to address the root causes of vulnerability, such as chronic poverty and social inequality, and promote social, environmental, and climate justice.
TSSW’s student-focused learning environment values quality education, research, and leadership. Our program provides:
- Curriculum that understands and serves people and families within their environments
- A focus on research for evidence-based practice
- Opportunities to learn and generate knowledge alongside top-tier faculty in Social Work and Public Health
- Practicum education with one of over 75 sites in one of the most unique and diverse cities in the world for on-campus study based in New Orleans
- A supportive and cooperative academic environment
Tulane and its curriculum emphasize noting and building upon individual and community strengths. We teach culturally relevant social work practice (CRSWP) that prioritizes the field’s responsiveness to cultural contexts and enables us to engage in and train students to engage in competent, ethical, community-led assessments and interventions.
Explore the MSW/MS in Disaster Resilience Leadership Curriculum
The MSW/MS-DRL dual degree program requires a total of 84 credit hours and is available for both full-time and part-time students. Students who wish to enroll in the part-time program must complete coursework online.
The full-time curriculum requires 300 hours of practicum over three semesters, for a total of 900 hours. The part-time dual-degree MSW/MS-DRL program, available online only, requires from six to nine credit hours per semester over eight semesters, for a total of 60 credit hours. Each student completes 150 hours of practicum over six semesters, for a total of 900 hours.
Review our program fact sheet. For a more detailed view of the curriculum, including course descriptions, visit the Tulane Registrar's Course Catalog Website.
| YEAR | SEMESTER | COURSE TITLE | CR |
1 | FALL | Social Welfare History & Policy | 3 |
| Diversity & Social Justice: Theory & Practiced | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Organizations and Community Practice | 2 | ||
| Human Behavior & the Social Environment I | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Direct Social Work Practice | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Direct Social Work Practice Human & Social Factors OR Disaster Operations | 3 | ||
SPRING | Human Behavior & the Social Environment II | 3 | |
| Community Organizing & Policy Advocacy | 3 | ||
| Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, & Groups | 3 | ||
| Research for Program Evaluation & Evidence-Based Social Work | 3 | ||
| Practicum & Seminar I | 3 | ||
| Human & Social Factors OR Disaster Operations | 3 | ||
SUMMER | Advanced Integrated Clinical & Community Practice I | 3 | |
| Psychopathology & DSM | 3 | ||
| Data Analysis & Interpretation for Program Evaluation & Research | 3 | ||
| Practicum & Seminar II | 3 | ||
| DRL/MSW Elective | 3 |
| YEAR | SEMESTER | COURSE TITLE | CR |
2 | FALL | Advanced Clinical & Community Practice II | 3 |
| Integrative Capstone Seminar. | 3 | ||
| Practicum & Seminar III | 3 | ||
| MSW Elective | 2 | ||
| Leadership | 3 | ||
| DRL Elective | 3 | ||
SPRING | Leadership & Economic Analytics | 3 | |
| Environment and Infrastructure | 3 | ||
| DRL Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 |
Not Ready to Add a Dual Degree? Add a Disaster Resilience Leadership Certificate to Your MSW. Only Four More Classes!
The Disaster Resilience Leadership Certificate requires 15 credit hours, which can be completed on-campus and online. With this academic certificate, you'll gain an understanding of disaster mitigation, planning and preparedness, response, and recovery as well as delivery of human services within communities.
ADMISSION INFORMATION GET A GLIMPSE OF THE MSW/MS-DRL EXPERIENCE
The Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy hosts faculty and fellows who have made strides within their respective fields. They have positively affected public policy and have worked in international organizations and in leadership roles for national offices and agencies.
With Tulane’s high-touch program, students focus and engage in a variety of ways. Required coursework in the core competencies teaches tangible skills to engage in disaster resilience leadership. You will develop your capacity via team projects and teaching, problem-based learning, creative simulation (e.g., tabletops), practicum education, and electronic learning exchanges.
Refer to Tulane’s class schedule to determine availability of courses in any given semester. All DLRA courses are identified with DRLS before the course number.
Contact Us
We are happy to help! Please contact TSSW Admissions by emailing msw@tulane.edu.