Students in a Lecture Hall Listening to a Disaster Response Presentation.

Disaster Response

Develop the skills you need to respond to emergency situations effectively.

Why Study Disaster Response?

As a disaster response student at USD, you will develop an understanding of disaster preparedness and immediate disaster response. You will be trained to facilitate increased awareness of disaster plans, promote improved disaster management planning and, in the event of a disaster, provide additional response support in advance or in conjunction with disaster professionals.

Through this program, you'll gain knowledge of key areas of fundamental disaster response, including Red Cross first aid training, psychological first aid training, an understanding of causes and consequences of traumatic experiences. Whether you pursue a career in disaster management, mental health or another profession, you will bring a unique skill set that makes you a valued and resourceful member of any team.


Degrees & Offerings

Psychology: Disaster Response (B.A., B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

Develop a specialized set of skills and experiences to complement your psychology major by specializing in disaster response. This program provides you with a background in fundamental disaster response, preparing you to assist with disaster management and offer invaluable support in the event of a disaster.

Learn more about the psychology program

Disaster Response

Minor
  Vermillion Main Campus

A minor in disaster response provides you with a background in fundamental disaster response, preparing you to assist with disaster management and offer invaluable support in the event of a disaster. (This minor is not available to psychology majors; please see the disaster response specialization).

Disaster Response

Certificate
  Vermillion Main Campus

A certificate in disaster response provides you with a background in fundamental disaster response, preparing you to assist with disaster management and offer invaluable support in the event of a disaster.

Program Details

Undergraduate

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Department

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Admissions

Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

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

Specialty

Accepting New Graduate Students for Fall 2025!
Bio Image for Faculty Member Beth Boyd

Beth Boyd

Director-Clinical Psych Prog
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
Bio Image for Faculty Member Timothy Ricker

Timothy Ricker

Associate Professor

Specialty

Working Memory, Cognition, Attention, Perception
Bio Image for Faculty Member Raluca Simons

Raluca Simons

Professor, Dir DMHI
Bio Image for Faculty Member Gemma Skillman

Gemma Skillman

Senior Lecturer
Bio Image for Faculty Member Sarah Thimsen

Sarah Thimsen

Senior Lecturer
Bio Image for Faculty Member Jong Sung Yoon

Jong Sung Yoon

Assistant Professor

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