Introduction
The College of the Environment’s Disaster Risk Reduction Minor is designed to introduce the student to natural hazards and their impacts on society. It explores the social causes of disasters. Students learn strategies for mitigating impact, reducing causes of risk, and developing just and resilient communities. All students at Western may apply for admittance through the Department of Environmental Studies office at any time.
Why Consider a Disaster Risk Reduction Minor?
Do you wonder why disasters are on the rise and how we can reduce their impacts? Do you wonder what you can do to support frontline communities facing climate change, sea level rise, increasingly intense wildfires, and the ongoing threat of flooding, earthquakes, and other hazards?
In the Disaster Risk Reduction Minor, you will explore how our social policies and practices shape-impacts from technological and natural hazards. You will analyze how social vulnerability exacerbates costs to individuals, groups, and society. You will also learn how to use policy, planning, advocacy, and engagement strategies to reduce disaster risk and build community resilience. Graduates with this emphasis often go on to work in emergency management or natural hazards planning. Some go on to graduate studies in social science, disaster studies, public administration, or international development.
Student Resources
Department website: Environmental Studies
Contact information: Kathryn Patrick, College of the Environment Professional Advisor, Environmental Studies 539, 360-650-3520, Kathryn.Patrick@wwu.edu
Department advising: See the Advising section of the College of the Environment website.
Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
Sample Careers: Careers in emergency management; Careers in federal, tribal, and state emergency management agencies; Careers in international non-governmental organizations in humanitarian aid and international development; Bring justice and resilience concepts to a range of other environmental sector careers; Preparatory studies for graduate work in social science, emergency management, disaster studies, public administration and international development.
How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):
Some courses in the minor may be restricted to ENVS declared majors and minors.
At any time, you can apply to the Disaster Risk Reduction Minor. To declare a minor, set up an appointment with a professional adviser on our Undergrad Academic Advising webpage, by visiting the College of the Environment Student Support office in Environmental Studies Building 539, or by calling 360-650-3520.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.
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