Program Admission

Prerequisite(s): N/A

Standard Admission

• Undergraduate degree

Flexible Admission

• To be considered for Flexible Admission, applicants would normally require extensive direct experience/training in the field of disaster and emergency management

Additional Recommendations for Admission

All applications are assessed based on an integrated and consolidated examination of academic credentials, work experience and personal experience.

Experienced applicants may include Provincial and local government emergency response program planners and managers, Canadian military personnel, RCMP and municipal police officers, ambulance, paramedic and health sector professionals, firefighters, risk management and business continuity professionals, insurance and disaster recovery professionals, and international humanitarian and disaster relief workers from such organizations as the Red Cross and the United Nations.

Students with a relevant undergraduate degree may also be considered.

Note: Academic writing skills are required for success in this program and an English composition course focused on academic writing is therefore recommended.  A completely online eight-week course that meets this recommendation is offered several times a year through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University:

• Introduction to Academic Writing and Critical Thinking - Continuing Studies

Application Requirements

Applicants should follow the general admission requirements along with the following program-specific requirements:

Letters of Reference

The letters may be provided by current or past employers, or those who have known you in an academic or volunteer setting. Although personal references are considered as part of the application, an emphasis is placed on professional and academic references.

Academic Reference

This letter should attest to your performance in the context of your current or previous studies. The letter can address such areas as your academic skills and achievements, writing, thinking and study skills, flexibility, commitment to lifelong and self-directed learning, research skills, and tenacity.

Professional Reference

This letter should attest to your current or previous performance in your professional life. The letter can address areas such as your emergency preparedness and/or disaster management experience and capabilities as well as your leadership, management teamwork, and communication skills, community service, work ethic, and ability to deal with complex, stressful situations.

Personal Character Reference

A personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known you for several years outside the context of your work. Please ask the writer to indicate the length of time and context in which they know you. This letter can mention attributes such as your commitment to learning, ability to work with others, communication skills, responsibility, and integrity.

Personal Statement

Each applicant must submit a typed three to four page narrative outlining their motivations for seeking entrance to the program. The significance of the personal statement includes an assessment of the applicants writing and critical thinking skills as well as interest and ability to complete the program. These statements must be the work of the applicant and should address all of the following questions:

• Why do you wish to enrol in the disaster and emergency management program? 
• What academic courses and/or training have you in the area of disaster and emergency management?
• What work experience have you in the area of disaster and emergency management?
• How is this program relevant to your career goals? 
• What experience have you had with distance education and self-directed study? 
• What special strengths would you bring to the program? 

Structured Resume

• Post-secondary education
• Work experience
• Training and professional development:
  List career related training and professional development programs completed with the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Voluntary/Unpaid Work Experience:
  List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
• Professional memberships/affiliations:
  List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information