Disaster and Emergency Management

Course Overview

The program explores the theoretical foundations of disaster and emergency management as a growing field of practice and study. The program emphasizes an integrated and holistic approach to disaster and emergency management built on the understanding that disasters are more than hazards, and are products of the inter-relationship and mutual construction of the environmental, social, economic, and political spheres. This approach supports the notion that disaster and emergency management processes and practices can and should contribute to risk reduction, community resilience and sustainable communities. Learning Outcomes: Royal Roads University works with an outcomes-based learning model. Learning outcomes are clear, plain language descriptors of knowledge and performance tasks that students demonstrate in order to successfully complete a program. Within the GD in Disaster and Emergency Management, there are five key learning outcome domains: Critical Thinking, Communication, Research, Knowledge, Professional Skills & Practice. Using learning outcomes helps to clarify a program's focus, helps students connect their program to their workplace, provides a focus for assessment/evaluation, and helps employers understand the benefits of the program. Who It's For? This degree is designed for existing and aspiring disaster management and emergency services professionals. Many students come from the fields of government, emergency management, healthcare, education, NGOs, military, police, fire and community planning. Applicants who do not have the formal academic education to qualify for admission may be assessed on the basis of both their formal education and their informal learning, in accordance with the Flexible Admission Policy. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Upon satisfactory completion of the courses and related assignments, students will be granted a Graduate Diploma in Disaster & Emergency Management. Laddering Options: Students who wish to continue their studies towards completion of the Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management may do so through the laddering process. Current students may apply to transfer to the MA program while still in the diploma program. Space may be limited, so the ability to transfer is not guaranteed, and in these cases, only the master's degree will be awarded upon completion of the MA, not the diploma. Graduates of the diploma program must formally apply to the MA program.