The Master of Emergency and Disaster Management recognises the changing nature of emergency and disaster management in Australia and the important role research and evidence-based practice play in underpinning contemporary perspectives and approaches. As a student in this course, you will draw upon the multidisciplinary nature of emergency and disaster management to explore current and emerging trends in national and international approaches, as well as the key concepts and perspectives that underpin contemporary emergency and disaster management practice. This course introduces you to the fundamental concepts and frameworks that underpin the effective management of emergencies and disasters and helps you develop a comprehensive understanding of the nature of hazards and disasters. You will be introduced to the key stakeholders involved with emergency and disaster management and explore the historical and contemporary principles, policies, and legal frameworks guiding the field of practice. The course will explore local and global emergency and disaster management concepts and the models, systems and processes required to effectively mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from various disasters. As a graduate of this course, you will have the opportunity to shape this degree to your own needs by selecting elective units that interest and are relevant to you, your interests or work needs, allowing you to work in various multidisciplinary settings, including emergency service and response agencies, public safety, humanitarian aid organisations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, both nationally and internationally.
This course is aimed at people wanting to enter into or who are working in emergency and disaster management that wish to change or advance their careers in this area. This may include people who are in the public safety or emergency services, volunteer groups, healthcare professionals, military personnel, professionals working in private, government, non-government and community-based organisations who play a role in emergency and disaster management; and those with a personal and/or professional interest in the field.
Possible future job titles:
Emergency management officer, Emergency Management Coordinator, Advisor Emergency Management, Coordinator Emergency Management, Emergency Management Work Health Safety Coordinator, Senior Director/Director/Consultant - Safety, Security And Emergency Management, Disaster Manager, Emergency Management Project Officer, Emergency Planner, Emergency Management Trainer, Disaster Planner, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Disaster Resilience Officer, amongst many others.
| Duration | 3 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 72 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Postgraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | MEDM |
| AQF Level | Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework) |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
Not Applicable |
|---|---|
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
To be considered for entry into this course, you must demonstrate the following:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America, you are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements set by the University.
You are required to provide documentation confirming completion of:
These qualifications must be completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or the United States of America to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each application will be assessed individually.
Nil
Nil
| Interim Awards | CM39 - Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management CC27 - Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | CM39 - Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management CC27 - Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management |
| Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
| Not applicable |
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2023 | 8 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice | ||||||||
| 2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning | ||||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice | ||||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level | ||||||||
| 6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences | ||||||||
| 7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship | ||||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning | ||||||||
| 9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability | ||||||||
| 10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship. | ||||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||||
| Number of units: 9 | Total credit points: 54 |
|---|
This course will be offered full time.
The following units are compulsory:
| Number of units: 2 | Total credit points: 12 |
|---|
Students must complete 18cp of Electives.
You will need to choose a minimum of two (2) AQF Level 8 units and a maximum of one (1) AQF Level 9 unit for the course.
You must complete a minimum of two (2) AQF Level 8 units from the following list.
| Number of units: 1 | Total credit points: 6 |
|---|
Students must complete 18cp of Electives.
You will need to choose a minimum of two (2) AQF Level 8 units and a maximum of one (1) AQF Level 9 unit for the course.
You must complete a maximum of one (1) AQF Level 9 unit from the following list.