The Department of Emergency Health Services at UMBC offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Science degree. This degree is also a core component of the UMB-UMBC post-residency fellowship in emergency medical services and incorporates offerings from several university departments at both UMBC and UMB.

Modern emergency health service systems are complex entities that require the coordination of multiple service organizations in order to be effective. The common goal of this cooperative effort is to reduce death and disability resulting from acute illness and injury. The emergency health care system is the larger health care system’s method of reaching out to people experiencing unforeseen medical emergencies, assessing their needs, initiating care, and transporting them to an appropriate facility while continuing care. Emergency health care encompasses agencies ranging from local rescue squads to national and international disaster and refugee health services, and includes mobile (i.e. ambulances) and fixed resources (hospitals). Increasingly, EHS agencies are becoming more involved in activities aimed at the prevention of injuries and sudden illness, and are exploring other public health roles. In order for this work to be effective, a high degree of management capability, combined with targeted research and education are required. Our Master’s and Ph.D. Concentration programs are designed to address these needs.

The EHS Education track prepares the student to be a leader in improving patient outcomes, community health, and caregiver performance through developing education programs and professional development experiences. Students learn how to identify needs, develop solutions, and manage educational programs with a focus on learning and performance technology. Graduates will find opportunities in EMS agencies; colleges and universities; federal, state, and local governments; for-profit educational organizations; hospitals and healthcare facilities as well as public health agencies.

PURPOSES OF A GRADUATE LEVEL PROGRAM

The UMBC Emergency Health Services graduate study programs encompass the system components listed above. The program is primarily focused on preparing professionals for leadership roles requiring skill in planning, research, development, and organizational operations. The curriculum is designed to provide graduate level training and education to health care providers, researchers, educators, policy makers and administrators.

WHY UMBC?

The EHS baccalaureate program began in 1980. Our goal was to produce the most comprehensively educated individuals capable of performing tasks within the broad scope of the emergency health care field as leaders, managers and providers. Our graduate program, the first in the nation for EHS, began a year later. It remains the largest program of its type available in the United States. Our program is unique in its proximity and interaction with other world-renown emergency medicine resources. We share faculty, resources, and projects with the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (our state EMS agency), the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine, and its National Study Center for Trauma and EMS. Many students intern in these organizations. Our proximity to Washington D.C. enhances access to national agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Maryland is often looked to as a leader in emergency medical services; our Graduate Program is one of the resources enhancing this reputation.

Tracks/Concentrations: 

Track I: Administration, Planning and Policy
Track II: Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology
Education (concentration available with Track I or II)
Emergency Management (Certificate)
Ph.D. Emergency Health Services Concentration in Emergency Health or Emergency Management in cooperation with the School of Public Policy (speak with an EHS advisor)

For International Students: Along with admission criteria for the Graduate School, an English proficiency test is required for most international students.

Minimum Scores Required:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 80
• IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall (Preferred a 7.0 overall), with a minimum 6.5 in both written and reading comprehension.
• PTE Academic test: minimum score of 53
• Duolingo: minimum score of 105 overall (prefer a 115 overall), with a minimum 105 in both Literacy and Production. (Accepted for the current cycle of admissions)

Consult the UMBC Graduate School International Admissions page for further requirements and deadlines.

Application Submission Deadlines:

FALL (August) Semester start:

• Domestic Students – July 1st
• International Students – March 1st

SPRING (February) Semester start:

• Domestic Students – December 1st
• International Students – November 1st

Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis

Tuition fee-2 years$50,000

Total fee-2 years$80,000