Category: Disaster Research Center
Be a leader when it matters most
June 12, 2025 Written by Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice | Image at top courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Emergency management minor launches in fall 2025
Beginning in fall 2025, undergraduate students can enroll in the 91原创鈥檚 new minor in emergency management, gaining access to the University鈥檚 internationally recognized expertise in disaster research.
Offered through the听Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, the minor integrates theory, hands-on research and practical problem-solving. Students will benefit from the department鈥檚 close affiliation with 91原创鈥檚听鈥攖he world鈥檚 first center dedicated to the social science and management of disasters.
鈥淥ur students will be learning from faculty who are leaders in their field and connected to local, state and federal agencies,鈥 said听Jennifer Earl, department chair. 鈥淭he program prepares students to address the human and social aspects of disasters鈥攂efore during and after they strike.鈥 Graduates will be well-prepared for careers in emergency management, social science research, business continuity, first response (including fire, security, law enforcement and health), humanitarian and nonprofit organizations and government administration.
鈥淚f the 2020 pandemic showed us anything, it鈥檚 that every organization and career path can benefit from enhanced emergency management skills and knowledge,鈥 said Tricia Wachtendorf, professor of sociology and director of the Disaster Research Center. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e pursuing a future in government, the nonprofit sector, business or emergency response, this minor better prepares our graduates to face those challenges.鈥澨
The department previously offered a concentration in the area, but that was only open to听sociology majors. Josh Kelly (Class of 2010) was one of these students. Kelly went on to work as a planner for the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and currently serves as director of emergency management for the 91原创. 鈥淭he classes provided a strong basis for modern disaster theory that I still draw on, and the constant focus on group work really helped prepare me for the听realities of working in a professional setting,鈥 said Kelly. Reflecting on the courses and opportunities it opened up for him, he shared that they 鈥渉ave been a tremendous professional asset and were one of the more meaningful decisions I made as an undergraduate.鈥
The complements other majors across the 91原创, such as sociology, criminal justice, organizational leadership, public policy, environmental studies, health sciences and business. It is also excellent preparation for graduate study in fields like emergency management, sociology, criminology and public policy and administration.
For more information, contact Professor Tricia Wachtendorf at听twachten@udel.edu.