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Disaster Mental Health

Our graduate certificate in disaster mental health will prepare you to serve your community in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disaster, terrorist attacks and public health emergencies.

Be Prepared

The online Disaster Mental Health Graduate Certificate has been offered through the Disaster Mental Health Institute (DMHI) at the University of South Dakota since 1997. DMHI is one of the leading agencies in the world in the field of disaster psychology. The certificate is offered 100% online, making it more accessible across the nation and throughout the world. 

This certificate is ideal for civic officials, emergency managers, first responders (firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians), and disaster relief workers to advance their knowledge of this critical field, as recommended by the National Biodefense Science Board. Participants in this category, however, cannot receive the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services certificate.


Degrees & Offerings

Disaster Mental Health

Certificate
  Online

This 12-credit, 100% online graduate certificate prepares you to serve your community in responding to, and recovering from, disasters, terrorist attacks and public health emergencies. It is intended for existing mental health professionals or as a supplement to graduate training in approved mental health professions. It is offered through the Disaster Mental Health Institute (DMHI), one of the leading agencies in the world.

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View Curriculum

Program Details

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Graduate Admissions

Start Your Application Today

For more detailed admission requirements, please refer to USD Graduate Catalog. Additional requirements exist for international applicants. For more information, visit International Admission Requirements.

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in psychology.
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Psychology

Expand your understanding of the human mind and behavior as you develop strengths in research, critical thinking, advocacy and service.

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Psychological Services Center

The Clinical Psychology program is committed to the scientist-practitioner model of training.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know your professors in the Department of Psychology. Our faculty serve as experts in their fields and maintain active research involving laboratory-based research, survey studies and/or community-based field research.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Douglas Peterson

Douglas Peterson

Chair, Psychology/Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Beth Boyd

Beth Boyd

Director, Clinical Psych Prog/Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jan Berkhout

Jan Berkhout

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Brianna Byllesby

Brianna Byllesby

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jean Caraway

Jean Caraway

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member BreAnne Danzi

BreAnne Danzi

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Michael Granaas

Michael Granaas

Director, Human Factors/Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Logan Hale

Logan Hale

Bio Image for Faculty Member Timothy Ricker

Timothy Ricker

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jeffrey Simons

Jeffrey Simons

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Raluca Simons

Raluca Simons

Director, Disaster Mental Health Institute/Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Gemma Skillman

Gemma Skillman

Coordinator, Online/Senior Lecturer
Bio Image for Faculty Member Cindy Struckman-Johnson

Cindy Struckman-Johnson

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sarah Thimsen

Sarah Thimsen

Lecturer
Bio Image for Faculty Member JongSung Yoon

JongSung Yoon

Assistant Professor
View All Faculty & Staff
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Take Your Classes Online

We're committed to bringing our knowledge to you. USD serves the largest number of online students in the state of South Dakota. With competitive online tuition rates, we offer the same price whether you’re out-of-state or an in-state resident.

 

USD maintains a challenging and rigorous curriculum focused on preparing you to move forward in your career.

 

Enroll in an online class today! 

 

View all online programs
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Disaster Mental Health Institute 

The online Disaster Mental Health Graduate Certificate has been offered through the DMHI at the University of South Dakota since 1997. The DMHI at the University of South Dakota is one of the leading agencies in the world in the field of disaster psychology and has been involved in the cutting edge of education, research, and response in the field since 1993.

Surprisingly Affordable

Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree, or you want to kick your career up a notch, graduate school is the next logical step. The good news is there is funding for both online and on-campus students to get you through your program. 
GA (Resident*)
Resident
Online
Non-Resident
Tuition (1 cr.)
180.3
340.15
470.45
654.05
GAF Fee (1 cr.)
55.3
55.3
0
55.3
Total

More About Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates are subject to change and may vary depending on the program or department. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs page for more information.

* Graduate Assistant (GA) rates are available for resident, non-resident and online students.

** Resident rates may be available to you through the SD Advantage, Child of Alumni or Western Regional Graduate Program. To see if you quality, visit usd.edu/grad-tuition.

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