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Official programme prospectus
Master of Disaster Management (MDM)
A proposed postgraduate programme in disaster management, currently in development and subject to institutional and regulatory approval.
Proposed / future programme — subject to institutional and regulatory approval. Not currently open for enrolment.
- Duration
- 18 months / about 72 weeks
- Fee
- To be confirmed
- Delivery
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Level
- Postgraduate (proposed)
SLIHSD · Master of Disaster Management (MDM) · Programme prospectus
1. About SLIHSD
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development is a developing professional education, training and capacity-development institute focused on practical, accessible learning for humanitarian, community and sustainable-development practice.
2. Why this programme?
A proposed postgraduate programme in disaster management, currently in development and subject to institutional and regulatory approval. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
3. Programme at a glance
- Category
- Humanitarian & Disaster Management
- Level
- Postgraduate (proposed)
- Duration
- 18 months (about 72 weeks)
- Study modes
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Indicative programme fee
- To be confirmed
- Registration fee
- SLE 100
- Location
- Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone
- Application deadline
- 31 March 2026
Around 72 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
4. Target audience
- • Humanitarian, development, resilience and community practitioners.
- • Government, NGO and volunteer personnel whose roles relate to this programme area.
- • School leavers, graduates and working adults seeking practical professional development.
5. Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
6. Learning outcomes
- • Lead disaster risk management at institutional level
- • Design and evaluate disaster policy and programmes
- • Conduct independent applied research
7. Course structure and modules
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–14 | Disaster risk science and policy |
| 2 | Weeks 15–28 | Disaster governance, law and institutions |
| 3 | Weeks 29–42 | Advanced risk assessment and modelling |
| 4 | Weeks 43–56 | Humanitarian operations and recovery leadership |
| 5 | Weeks 57–72 | Research methods and dissertation |
8. Detailed module breakdown
1. Disaster risk science and policy (Weeks 1–14)
Apply disaster risk science and policy through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
- • Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within disaster risk science and policy
- • Prevention, control and response measures
- • Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for disaster risk science and policy.
2. Disaster governance, law and institutions (Weeks 15–28)
Develop practical capability in disaster governance, law and institutions, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
- • Roles, responsibilities and decision points in disaster governance, law and institutions
- • Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- • Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for disaster governance, law and institutions.
3. Advanced risk assessment and modelling (Weeks 29–42)
Examine advanced risk assessment and modelling as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for advanced risk assessment and modelling
- • Appropriate data sources, methods and quality checks
- • Interpretation, documentation and decision-ready reporting
Assessed work: Produce and review a working analysis or evidence tool for advanced risk assessment and modelling.
4. Humanitarian operations and recovery leadership (Weeks 43–56)
Develop practical capability in humanitarian operations and recovery leadership, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
- • Roles, responsibilities and decision points in humanitarian operations and recovery leadership
- • Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- • Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for humanitarian operations and recovery leadership.
5. Research methods and dissertation (Weeks 57–72)
Examine research methods and dissertation as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for research methods and dissertation
- • Appropriate data sources, methods and quality checks
- • Interpretation, documentation and decision-ready reporting
Assessed work: Produce and review a working analysis or evidence tool for research methods and dissertation.
9. Practical project / portfolio
Supervised applied research dissertation (proposed structure).
10. Teaching & learning approach
- • Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- • Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- • Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- • Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
11. Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Supervised applied research dissertation (proposed structure).
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
12. Career & professional pathways
- • Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to humanitarian & Disaster Management.
- • Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- • Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
13. Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
14. Fees & enrolment
Fees for this proposed programme will be published once institutional and regulatory approval is confirmed.
| Course length | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| 1 month short courses | SLE 150 – 750 |
| 1–3 months | SLE 2,500 |
| 3–6 months | SLE 3,500 |
| 6–18 months | SLE 5,000 |
15. Quality, recognition & regulatory notice
This is a proposed future programme under development. It is subject to institutional and regulatory approval, is not currently open for enrolment, and is not presented as an accredited or approved degree.
This is a proposed programme. No certificate is currently issued and no enrolment is open, pending institutional and regulatory approval.
16. Contact & application
Learn. Build skills. Make a difference.
This programme is not open for enrolment. Register interest by WhatsApp on +232 73655013 or email info@slihsd.org.
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development (SLIHSD) · Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone · WhatsApp Business +232 73655013 · info@slihsd.org · slihsd.org
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Certificates issued reflect completion of SLIHSD short courses and are not presented as accredited academic awards.