Disaster & Emergency Management York University

Overview

Disaster & Emergency Management at York University combines interdisciplinary study and practical training to prepare students for roles in crisis decision-making and resilience planning. Students explore vulnerabilities that drive disaster risk, strategies to sustain operations and approaches to reduce impacts on communities. Teaching integrates research-led instruction, applied exercises and opportunities to engage with practitioners.

Why Disaster & Emergency Management at York University?

York is noted on the program page as the only Canadian university to provide both undergraduate and graduate education in Disaster & Emergency Management, which creates an academic environment spanning foundational and advanced study. Faculty are described as internationally recognised researchers who bring current findings into the classroom.

The programme highlights connections with external experts, conferences and events that support professional networking. Students benefit from placement opportunities in one of Canada’s largest urban regions and from a dedicated student association (UDEM) that organises professional development and social activities.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: CAD 41526 per year
• National fee: CAD 8536 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include topics such as:

• Business
• Disasters: Case studies of causes and impacts
• Indigenous Culture and Language
• Climate Change and Society
• History of Evolution
• Knowledge, Truth and Reality

Careers with Disaster & Emergency Management

Graduates are described as working across emergency management, public safety, healthcare and consultancy, with employers including government bodies, multinational companies, the insurance industry, humanitarian organisations and NGOs. The co‑op option and field placements are noted as practical pathways to relevant work experience and sector entry.

Hands-on learning is a consistent feature: placements at NGOs, government agencies and private-sector partners help students translate theory into practice. The programme also integrates simulations and virtual-reality training to rehearse response actions and decision-making in controlled settings.