Climate change, political upheaval and economic forces are among the factors driving one of the 21st century’s greatest challenges: the forced migration of human populations. In response to this complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution, the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies has launched the Executive Master’s in Humanitarian Crisis & Emergency Management.
The 12-month program is designed to prepare future leaders to handle global disasters and save lives by delving into natural disaster recovery, weapons of mass destruction, strategic leadership and humanitarian crisis management. It will provide students with hands-on experience through five residencies to address challenges affecting societies worldwide. Two of the residencies will be online, and three will take place in Japan, Qatar, and Switzerland.

The program continues the school’s partnership with Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q). It will also provide students with opportunities to interact with the university’s global network of agencies such as the London Fire Brigade, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union, Interpol and others.
The program reflects Georgetown’s commitment to educating professionals while helping communities around the globe, according to Kelly J. Otter, Ph.D., dean of the School of Continuing Studies.
“Our students will emerge as leaders who can drive positive change in humanitarian crisis management, equipped with both practical skills and a global perspective,” Otter said.
Georgetown’s faculty will share practical knowledge in response, recovery and mitigation, with a special emphasis on emergency preparedness on local, national, and international levels.
An expert on resilience and risk assessment and the faculty director of the program, Tim Frazier, Ph.D. is also a leading researcher, using GIS technology and spatial analysis for hazard mitigation planning and climate change adaptation. The program is designed for working professionals to gain invaluable real-world experiences that prepare them for success and safety in the field, according to Frazier.
“The program equips leaders with the critical skills to evaluate and improve crisis management policies, ensuring ethical and effective responses to diverse and global crisis events,” said Frazier.
Current practitioners in healthcare, military, fire, law enforcement, private governmental sectors, and other related fields are encouraged to apply. Applications for the Fall 2025 term are due July 1. The $50 application fee will be waived for applications submitted by April 1.