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Humanitarian, emergency and disaster management
Postgraduate Coursework

Master of Emergency and Disaster Management

Key details

Duration

2 year/s full-time
4 year/s part-time
2 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer Semester
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer Semester
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

160

Course code

SEMDM1
SATAC codes

Overview

The Master of Emergency and Disaster Management qualifies you with the skills and knowledge to work as an emergency and disaster management professional in a variety of contexts. This in-depth and unique program draws upon the expertise and practical experience of researchers and practitioners working from Australia's gateway to Indonesia and Southeast Asia which is arguably one of the regions of the world most prone to, and affected by, various types of disasters. This course focuses on informed practice and research, and critically examines issues through a multi-sectoral lens to explore the ways in which different professional and cultural perspectives may shape emergency and disaster management work.

During the course you will:

  • Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to lead and manage all phases of the disaster management cycle
  • Learn how to confidently apply your academic studies to practical responses
  • Learn how to apply your skills, knowledge and experience in a way that's appropriate, collaborative and productive in the Asia Pacific region and beyond
  • Have the opportunity to tailor your course by choosing from a broad range of specialised electives and drawing on relevant study opportunities both at CDU and elsewhere
  • Acquire the technical, managerial and leadership skills to progress your current career or take a new professional direction.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $33,168.00. This equates to $ $4,146.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Menzies Public Health Julie

Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?

Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.

  • #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 100 university globally for quality education
  • Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management

Why study humanitarian, emergency and disaster management at CDU?

There is growing demand for skilled humanitarian and development aid professionals in today's world. Study humanitarian, emergency and disaster management at CDU to learn how to help those affected by natural disasters, man-made conflicts, social injustice and poverty.

  • Gain hands-on experience with intensives and placements
  • Learn from academics and industry professionals
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Menzies Public Health Julie

Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?

Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.

  • #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Top 100 university globally for quality education
  • Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management

Why study humanitarian, emergency and disaster management at CDU?

There is growing demand for skilled humanitarian and development aid professionals in today's world. Study humanitarian, emergency and disaster management at CDU to learn how to help those affected by natural disasters, man-made conflicts, social injustice and poverty.

  • Gain hands-on experience with intensives and placements
  • Learn from academics and industry professionals
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)

What will I study?

You will need to complete 160 credit points, made up of:

Course structure

You will need to complete 160 credit points, made up of:

  • 40 credit points of Core coursework units (4 units) that provide the theoretical underpinnings for professional practice in the field;
  • 60 credit points of Specialist Electives comprising 20 credit points of study in research methodology and 40 credit points of study drawn from a range of disciplines including health, engineering, management, environmental science, social work or Indigenous knowledges. Specialist Electives allow you to focus on areas of interest and developing expertise;
  • 40 credit points of Research project units where you will put your learning into practice;
  • 20 credit points of General Electives which allows you to complement your qualification with studies from other academic fields or from other tertiary institutions offering study in emergency and disaster management fields.

A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core
(4 units)
40cp

Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as per list of units identified below:

DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context  
DEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management  
DEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management  
DEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management

Specialist  
Electives 
(5-6 units)
60cpSpecialist Elective units totalling 60 credit points.  
Students are required to complete 20 credit points of Research Methodology units plus 40 credit points from one or more of the available specialisations identified below.  

Select 20 credit points from the list below:  

Research Methodology  
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education (unit title change 2022)  
IAS501 Research Methods (20cp) (no longer offered as part of this course from 2025)  
IAS521 Principles of Indigenous Research  
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies  
MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation  
PHM526 Research Design  
PHM527 Research Ethics and Impact  
PHM552 Epidemiology  
PHM553 Biostatistics  
PHM588 Qualitative Research (new title 2021)  

PLUS  

Select 40 credit points from one or more of the specialisation groups listed below:  

Humanitarian Aid and Development  
HAD100 Introduction to Disasters, Humanitarian Aid and Development  
HAD250 Humanitarian Needs Assessment  
HCS261 Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice  
DEM300 Community-Based Risk Management  
DEM516 Reflective Case Study: Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management (replaces DEM615) (not available from Semester 2 2023)  

Indigenous Knowledges  
IAS530 Neo-colonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development  
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics  
IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation  
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies  
IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management  
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation (not offered 2025)  
IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing  
IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People  

Health  
PHM523 Health Promotion  
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation  
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision Making  
PHM567 Public Health  
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases  
PHM592 Global Health  
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health  
SWK316 Building Safe Communities  
SWK317 Dynamics of Loss and Grief  

Engineering and Information Technology  
ENG519 Sustainability  
ENG573 Communication Systems  
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability  
PRT571 Asset Security and Risk Management  

Management  
BUS508 Business Analytics (replaces BUS501 from 2022)  
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship (replaces BUS502 from 2022)  
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership (replaces COM501 from 2022)  
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability (replaces ECO504 from 2022)  
HRM503 International Human Resource Management (final offering in S2 2022)  
BUS506 Global Megatrends (replaces MAN506 from 2022)  
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise (replaces MAN508 from 2022)  
MAN514 Management for the Executive (replaces MAN509 from 2022)  
MAN515 Operations Management (final offering 2021 - no replacement)  

Environment  
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity  
ENV502 Remote Sensing  
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling  
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management in Northern Australia  
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking  
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy  
ENV516 Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia  
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods  
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023)  
ENV520 Wildlife Management (not offered 2025)  
ENV521 Community Engagement for Bio-Security and Natural Resource Management  

Public Policy  
HGE501 Topics in Human Geography: a Remote Perspective  
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts  
MPP502 Evidence-Based Policy Development in Northern and Indigenous Contexts (not offered 2025)  
MPP505Ethnography and Policy

Social Work  
SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (compulsory intensive)  
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive) (no longer available from 2024)  
SWK523 Social Work Theory for Advanced Professional Practice (compulsory intensive)  
SWK524 Communities, Social Change and Development (no longer available from 2024)  
SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health  
SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy  
SWK527 Critical Partnerships for Practice: Individuals, Groups and Families (no longer available from 2024)  
 
Research
(1-2 units)
40cpResearch units totalling 40 credit points as listed below:.  

DEM820 Research Project (20 cp)  
DEM821 Research Project (20 cp)  
 
General Electives 
(2 units)
20cpUnits totalling 20 credit points may be selected from postgraduate units (at 500 level or above) offered by the University. Students may select units from any of the approved specialisations (as above) as electives or by cross institutional enrolment approved by the Course Coordinator.
 160cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

 

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2025

IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp) removed from this course as a specialist elective.

 

Study plan


STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist ElectiveSER = Specialist Elective ResearchE = General Elective

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in ContextCODEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
Specialist Elective (Research Methodology)SERDEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/EDEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/ESpecialist Elective (Research Methodology)SER
Year 2
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/ESpecialist or General ElectiveSE/E
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/ESpecialist or General ElectiveSE/E
DEM820 Research Project (20cp)RDEM821 Research Project (20cp)R

 

Specialist Elective Availabilities
Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Research Methodology   
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education   
IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts   
MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation   
PHM526 Research Design   
PHM552 Epidemiology   

Other Specialist Electives   
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise   
BUS506 Global Megatrends   
DEM300 Community-Based Risk Management   
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity   
ENV502 Remote Sensing   
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking   
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy   
ENV520 Wildlife Management   
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics   
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies   
IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing   
MAN514 Management for the Executive   
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts   
PHM523 Health Promotion   
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation   
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision making   
PHM567 Public Health   
PHM592 Global Health   
PRT551 Project Management   
PRT571 Asset Security and Risk Management   
SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (Compulsory intensive)   
SWK523 Social Work Theory and Advanced Professional Practice (compulsory intensive)   
SWK524 Communities, Social Change and Development (no longer available)   
SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health   
SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy   
SWK527 Critical Partnerships for Practice: Individuals, Groups and Families
Research Methodology   
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education   
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies   
PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact   
PHM553 Biostatistics   
PHM588 Qualitative Research   

Other Specialist Electives   
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise   
BUS508 Business Analytics   
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENG519 Sustainability   
ENG573 Communications Systems   
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship   
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management   
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods   
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management   
HAD100 Introduction to Disasters, Humanitarian Aid and Development   
HAD250 Humanitarian Needs Assessment   
HGE501 Topics in Human Geography: A 'Remote' Perspective   
IAS530 Neo-colonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development   
IAS532 Indigenous, Property Rights and Economic Participation   
IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management   
IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People   
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership   
MPP505 Ethnography and Policy   
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases   
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health   
SWK316 Building Safe Communities   
SWK317 Dynamics of Loss and Grief   
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive)
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise (INT-2)   
BUS506 Global Megatrends (INT-5)   
BUS508 Business Analytics (INT-6)   
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship (INT-5)   
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (INT-6)   
ENV516 Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia (INT-4)   
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (INT-6)   
HCS261 Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice    
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation (INT-4, INT-6) (not offered 2025)   
MAN514 Management for the Executive (INT-1)    
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts (INT-3)   
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive) (INT-1, INT-2)
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENG519 Sustainability   
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability

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_____________________________________

STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist ElectiveSER = Specialist Elective ResearchE = General Elective

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  DEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
  DEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
  DEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
  Specialist Elective (Research Methodology)SER
Year 2
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in ContextCODEM820 Research Project (20cp)   
DEM821 Research Project (20cp)
R
Specialist Elective (Research Methodology)SER
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E
Year 3
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E  
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E  
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E  
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E  

 

Specialist Elective Availabilities
Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Research Methodology   
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education   
IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts   
MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation   
PHM526 Research Design   
PHM552 Epidemiology   

Other Specialist Electives   
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise   
BUS506 Global Megatrends   
DEM300 Community-Based Risk Management   
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity   
ENV502 Remote Sensing   
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking   
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy   
ENV520 Wildlife Management   
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics   
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies   
IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing   
MAN514 Management for the Executive   
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts   
PHM523 Health Promotion   
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation   
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision making   
PHM567 Public Health   
PHM592 Global Health   
PRT551 Project Management   
PRT571 Asset Security and Risk Management   
SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (Compulsory intensive)   
SWK523 Social Work Theory and Advanced Professional Practice (compulsory intensive)   
SWK524 Communities, Social Change and Development (no longer available)   
SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health   
SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy   
SWK527 Critical Partnerships for Practice: Individuals, Groups and Families
Research Methodology   
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education   
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies   
PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact   
PHM553 Biostatistics   
PHM588 Qualitative Research   

Other Specialist Electives   
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise   
BUS508 Business Analytics   
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENG519 Sustainability   
ENG573 Communications Systems   
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship   
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management   
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods   
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management   
HAD100 Introduction to Disasters, Humanitarian Aid and Development   
HAD250 Humanitarian Needs Assessment   
HGE501 Topics in Human Geography: A 'Remote' Perspective   
IAS530 Neo-colonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development   
IAS532 Indigenous, Property Rights and Economic Participation   
IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management   
IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People   
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership   
MPP505 Ethnography and Policy   
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases   
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health   
SWK316 Building Safe Communities   
SWK317 Dynamics of Loss and Grief   
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive)
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise (INT-2)   
BUS506 Global Megatrends (INT-5)   
BUS508 Business Analytics (INT-6)   
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship (INT-5)   
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (INT-6)   
ENV516 Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia (INT-4)   
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (INT-6)   
HCS261 Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice    
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation (INT-4, INT-6)   
MAN514 Management for the Executive (INT-1)     
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts (INT-3)   
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive) (INT-1, INT-2)
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENG519 Sustainability   
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability

Top of Page


____________________________________________

STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SUMMER SEMESTER

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.

When designing an individual study plan:

  • maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
  • check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.   
     
Legend:CO = Core UnitR = ResearchSE = Specialist ElectiveSER = Specialist Elective ResearchE = General Elective

Full-Time Study Plan

Semester 1Semester 2Summer Semester
Year 1
    Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E
    Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E
    Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E
    Specialist or General ElectiveSE/E
Year 2
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in ContextCODEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO  
Specialist Elective (Research Methodology)SERDEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO  
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/EDEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO  
Specialist or General ElectiveSE/ESpecialist Elective (Research Methodology)SER  
Year 3
DEM820 Research Project (20cp)R    
DEM821 Research Project (20cp)R    

 

Specialist Elective Availabilities
Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Research Methodology   
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education   
IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts   
MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation   
PHM526 Research Design   
PHM552 Epidemiology   

Other Specialist Electives   
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise   
BUS506 Global Megatrends   
DEM300 Community-Based Risk Management   
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity   
ENV502 Remote Sensing   
ENV508 Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking   
ENV513 Environmental Planning and Policy   
ENV520 Wildlife Management   
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics   
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies   
IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing   
MAN514 Management for the Executive   
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts   
PHM523 Health Promotion   
PHM536 Health Systems, Planning and Evaluation   
PHM554 Public Health Economics and Decision making   
PHM567 Public Health   
PHM592 Global Health   
PRT551 Project Management   
PRT571 Asset Security and Risk Management   
SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (Compulsory intensive)   
SWK523 Social Work Theory and Advanced Professional Practice (compulsory intensive)   
SWK524 Communities, Social Change and Development (no longer available)   
SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health   
SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy   
SWK527 Critical Partnerships for Practice: Individuals, Groups and Families
Research Methodology   
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education   
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies   
PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact   
PHM553 Biostatistics   
PHM588 Qualitative Research   

Other Specialist Electives   
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise   
BUS508 Business Analytics   
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENG519 Sustainability   
ENG573 Communications Systems   
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship   
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management   
ENV517 Natural Resources and Indigenous Livelihoods   
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management   
HAD100 Introduction to Disasters, Humanitarian Aid and Development   
HAD250 Humanitarian Needs Assessment   
HGE501 Topics in Human Geography: A 'Remote' Perspective   
IAS530 Neo-colonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development   
IAS532 Indigenous, Property Rights and Economic Participation   
IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management   
IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People   
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership   
MPP505 Ethnography and Policy   
PHM570 Epidemiology and Control of Communicable Diseases   
PHM593 Tropical Child and Adolescent Health   
SWK316 Building Safe Communities   
SWK317 Dynamics of Loss and Grief   
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive)
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise (INT-2)   
BUS506 Global Megatrends (INT-5)   
BUS508 Business Analytics (INT-6)   
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship (INT-5)   
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling (INT-6)   
ENV516 Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia (INT-4)   
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (INT-6)   
HCS261 Fundamentals of Humanitarian Practice    
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation (INT-4, INT-6) (not offered 2025)   
MAN514 Management for the Executive (INT-1)     
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts (INT-3)   
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive) (INT-1, INT-2)
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability   
ENG519 Sustainability   
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability

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Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification. Applicants who don't meet the entry requirements, are advised to consider applying for the Graduate Certificate of Emergency and Disaster Management or contact the course coordinator in the Faculty of Arts and Society by email to fas@cdu.edu.au for further advice.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following: 

Year 12Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below).
0.5 FTE Higher Education StudySuccessful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
CDU Enabling CourseSuccessful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points).
TAFE QualificationSuccessful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia.
AHPRA RegistrationCurrent AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
English Test^Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below.


^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:

 Postgraduate requirementsUndergraduate requirements
CDU ELICOS - English for Academic PurposesSuccessful completion of EAP004Successful completion of EAP003
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic testOverall minimum: 6.5             
No band below: 6.0
Overall minimum: 6.0             
No band below 6.0
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)Overall minimum: 176             
No skill below: 169
Overall minimum: 169             
No skill below 169
Pearson Tests of English (PTE) AcademicOverall minimum: 58             
No score below 50
Overall minimum: 50             
No score below: 50
Test of English as a Foreign languageOverall minimum: 79             
Minimum writing score: 21
Overall minimum: 60             
Minimum writing score: 21


IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU. 

CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:

  • Both tests were under the same testing system; and
  • The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
  • The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test. 

Recognised English-speaking countries:

Standard ListAntigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Extended ListBermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.

For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. 

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

My dream is to be of service to others, especially to the vulnerable people in the community. I'm studying humanitarian aid to broaden my knowledge so that I will be able to be of service and encourage other people as well to serve humanity.

Lloyd

CDU student

International student Lloyd

No other university in Australia would provide you with the unique skill set and professional growth that CDU offers.

Hasan

CDU student

Hasan

My dream is to be of service to others, especially to the vulnerable people in the community. I'm studying humanitarian aid to broaden my knowledge so that I will be able to be of service and encourage other people as well to serve humanity.

Lloyd

CDU student

International student Lloyd

No other university in Australia would provide you with the unique skill set and professional growth that CDU offers.

Hasan

CDU student

Hasan

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Master of Emergency and Disaster Management
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management, Health

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1CM117
Casuarina campus (FF)
1CM617
Online (CSP)
1CM117
Online (FF)
1CM617
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
082431J

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