/

• Module 1: Foundations of Risk Prevention and Disaster Management

  This module introduces you to the key models, concepts and terminology of risk and disaster management. You will develop a systematic understanding of risk prevention, the full disaster management cycle and different forms of vulnerability and resilience. Climate-related hazards, natural disasters and societal challenges are integrated into the analytical framework. You will work with relevant data sources and apply basic analytical tools in practical exercises.

  Courses:

  • Fundamentals of risk prevention and disaster management
  • Vulnerability and resilience: social, psychological and economic aspects
  • Current developments in risk and disaster management and civil protection
  • Risk and disaster management: fundamentals and good practice
  • Leadership and complexity in disaster management
• Module 2: Multi-Hazard and Risk Assessment

  You will learn to assess hazards, exposure and risk in dynamic environments shaped by climate change, extreme weather events and interacting crisis drivers. The module covers qualitative and quantitative methods of multi-risk analysis, dealing with uncertainties and using databases and analysis tools. You apply these methods to risk reduction planning and decision-making in the context of multiple crises.

  Courses:

  • Multi-risk assessment
  • Exposure, vulnerability and risk assessment
  • Project: Application of risk assessment for risk reduction
• Module 3:International Disaster Management: Legal, Institutional and Geopolitical Dimensions

  
  You will analyse international legal and institutional frameworks for disaster management and apply them in case studies. The module examines global and European standards, including the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and reflects on geopolitical, normative and climate-related influencing factors. Case discussions address disaster response in natural disasters, crises and climate-related emergencies.

  Courses:

  • International legal framework for disaster response and recovery measures
  • International legal framework for disaster prevention and preparedness
  • Integrated global and regional disaster management: key actors and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
  • Search and rescue operations in urban areas and host nation support
  • Regulation and management of specific risks and new hazards in Europe
• Module 4: Business Continuity Management and Resilience in the Geopolitical Context

  
  This module teaches strategies for maintaining operational processes in crisis situations. You will work with business continuity management concepts, examine hybrid threats and reflect on the role of digital technologies, including AI. You will analyse how climate change, natural disasters and societal challenges affect continuity planning and the resilience of organisations. Leadership, communication and resilience under stress are key learning components.

  Courses:

  • Business continuity management: fundamentals and practical applications
  • Implementation of business continuity management
  • Security issues and hybrid threats in a geopolitical context
  • Communication strategies in crisis and disaster situations
  • Applied leadership and communication in practice
• Module 5: Disaster Management in Practice

  During an excursion, you apply scientific and methodological content in real-world contexts. You analyse institutional structures on site, reflect on challenges in civil protection, natural disaster response and crisis coordination, and deepen your professional and intercultural skills.

  Course:

  • Risk and disaster management and civil protection in practice
• Module 6: Electives

  You choose two elective modules worth 5 ECTS credits each to deepen your individual skill set. Topics include climate change and extreme events, logistics in disaster control, current research topics, game-based learning, AI in disaster management, protection of cultural heritage, and emergency medical and ethical issues related to crises and disasters.
• Module 7: Capstone in Applied Disaster Management

  You reflect on your professional environment, connect your experience with the theoretical framework of the programme, and present an application-oriented project. Climate-related risks, crisis dynamics and resilience strategies can be integrated into your project work.

  Course:

  • Final project in applied disaster management
• Module 8: Academic Research and Writing

  You will learn scientific working methods, literature research, scientific writing and how to use peer review formats. These skills form the basis for your Master's thesis, which may address climate risks, natural disasters, crisis response or societal challenges.

  Courses:

  • Academic Writing I
  • Academic Writing II
  • Master's Thesis Seminar