A career of adventure,
a lifetime of service
Earn a Bachelor of Science in International Rescue and Relief while gaining hands-on experience, professional certifications and leadership skills that prepare you to serve in times of crisis.
The International Rescue and Relief program at Union Adventist University prepares students for careers in emergency management, disaster response, emergency medical services, search and rescue, international humanitarian aid, international development and healthcare professions. Through experiential learning opportunities, students complete EMT training, technical rescue certifications, FEMA emergency management coursework, and international field experiences.
Students develop real-world skills through disaster response deployments, wilderness and rescue training in Colorado, and a 10-week international expedition in Malawi, Africa, where they work alongside local medical and humanitarian organizations. Whether your goal is medical school, emergency management, paramedicine, humanitarian aid, military service, law enforcement, or search and rescue, IRR provides a unique combination of classroom learning, professional certifications, leadership development, and hands-on experience.
Certifications and classes IRR offers:
- EMT, and advanced modules, including advanced airway management and IV administration
- Wilderness First Responder and First Aid
- Wilderness EMT
- FEMA ICS 100, 200, 201, 42, 700, 800, 300, and 400
- Rescue 3 International Rope Rescue (Operator, Technician, and Specialist), Swift Water Rescue and Flood Management (Technician and Advanced)
- Training in Wilderness Survival Skills
- Search and Rescue techniques
- BLS CPR
- HAM Radio Amateur radio License
- Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
What is IRR?
Is hands-on learning best for you?
Overseas experience for every student.
Learn about the Summer Program in Colorado
IRR graduates serving their communities
At home and around the world
See a map of where some of our alumni have found their calling. If you're an alumnus and would like to be included, please fill out this form.
In challenging situations—whether repelling off a building, a diving rescue, or performing an IV on a little girl in Nicaragua— those opportunities help you see you are capable of a lot more. Our training isn’t taught at many volunteer fire departments and rescue squads. When I returned to Virginia in the summers, I’ve was able to share what I learned at Union with my fellow fire fighters back home.
IRR graduate from Virginia.
Union's new international rescue and relief major is the only known college-level program of its kind in the United States. The four-year Bachelor of Science degree combines rescue and survival skills, emergency medical care, humanitarian relief, public health, disaster management and multicultural service training.
Why study at Union Adventist University?
- Earn many certifications, including EMT, Rescue 3 International rope and swift water rescue certifications, and a variety of Red Cross and FEMA disaster management certifications.
- Spend five weeks of your first summer in the Colorado wilderness learning survival, search and rescue, technical rope rescue and swift water rescue.
- At the end of the program, you'll live in a developing nation for a semester, learning about global health and conducting medical clinics in remote areas.
- Prepare for careers in public safety, the medical field, global development and emergency management.
- Learn from professors with experience as police officers, paramedics, global relief managers and wilderness survival experts.
As I neared graduation, I wondered what God had in store for me. I planned to work as a paramedic until He opened a door to service. I didn’t have to wait long. After an earthquake rocked Haiti in early 2010, I joined IRR students and alumni in Haiti to provide relief and aid to earthquake victims. I organized daily medical and mobile clinics, conducted group debriefings, attended United Nations meetings and rubbed elbows with military groups from around the world. Once home I looked for work opportunities that would incorporate most, if not all, of my education and field experience. I was offered a contract in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, working for the government as a paramedic with the Saudi Red Crescent Authority. After working in the field responding to various types of emergency cases, I began to settle into a routine, but once again God had other plans for me. The Red Crescent Authority is also responsible for the personal health care needs of a prince of Saudi Arabia and they were seeking qualified individuals. I was one of the lucky few chosen to live on the grounds of the palace as personal medical staff for the royal family. I wasn’t chosen because of my years as a paramedic or my knowledge of emergency medicine. No, I was told that I was chosen because I was one of a few people in the entire country that had a specialty degree, a degree in international rescue and relief from Union.
IRR graduate who has served as a paramedic around the world.
Majors and minors
The International Rescue and Relief Program offers degrees in the following areas:
A four-year bachelor of science with the following emphases:
- International Rescue and Relief (no emphasis): Guide
- Global Community Development Emphasis: Guide
- Health Care Leadership IRR/Nursing Dual Major: Guide
- Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Emphasis: Guide
- Pre-Physician Assistant Emphasis: Guide
- Pre-Physical Therapy Emphasis: Guide
- Paramedic Emphasis: Guide
- Public Safety Emphasis: Guide
A two-year associate of science emphases:
- Associate of Science in Rescue and Relief/Emergency Medical Services: Guide
A four-year (3+1) bachelor of science with master of leadership
- Bachelor of Science 3+1 Leadership Masters - No Emphasis: Guide
- Bachelor of Science 3+1 Emphasis in Global Community Development and Master's in Leadership: Guide
- Bachelor of Science 3+1 Emphasis in Public Safety and Master's in Leadership: Guide
You may also pair the following minors with a major in any discipline:
- Disaster Management
- Survival and Rescue
Emergency Medical Technician component of the IRR program has separate licensure requirements. State of Nebraska licensure requirements for EMT’s can be found here. Learn about EMT licensure in other states.
Career options for IRR majors
Physician
The five year average for IRR grads getting accepted to medical school is 100%.
Job outlook
3% growth (as fast as average)
Median pay
$239,200
Emergency management director
Prepare plans and procedures for natural disasters and other emergencies.
Job outlook
3% growth (as fast as average)
Median pay
$86,130
Paramedic
Assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
Job outlook
5% growth (faster than average)
Median pay
$53,180
Firefighter
Save lives and property.
Job outlook
3% growth (as fast as average)
Median pay
$59,530
Physician Assistant
Diagnose, treat, prescribe, and guide patients.
Job outlook
20% growth (much faster than average)
Median pay
$133,260
Physical Therapist
Help patients beat pain and injuries.
Job outlook
11% growth (faster than average)
Median pay
$101,020
Meet the International Rescue and Relief team
Contact us at 402-486-2600 ext. 2015 or email irr@uau.edu.