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Breadcrumb
  1. Programs

Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management

In this section
  • Overview
  • Program description
  • Program delivery
  • Courses
  • Faculty
  • Admission requirements
  • Application requirements
  • Financial aid and awards
  • Request more info

Learn disaster and emergency preparation and mitigation strategies. Help communities with project planning, risk management, community resiliency and sustainable recovery.

Program intakes

Filter to view upcoming intakes

June 19, 2023

Start date
June 19, 2023
Application deadline
March 19, 2023
Delivery model
Online
Domestic tuition
$ 26,827 CAD
International tuition
$ 34,472 CAD
Related Schedules
Program Schedule
Payment Schedule

November 20, 2023

Start date
November 20, 2023
Application deadline
August 20, 2023
Delivery model
Blended
Domestic tuition
$ 27,364 CAD
International tuition
$ 35,851 CAD
Related Schedules
Program Schedule

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Program description

As disaster and emergency management professionals know, disasters are more than just hazards to avoid. To work as a professional in emergency management, you need to see disasters in relation to the world itself.

This two-year interdisciplinary degree looks at disaster and emergency management in an integrated, holistic way.

You'll learn how the environment, society, economics and politics all have an impact on how disasters unfold. You'll study how to plan for and mitigate disasters and emergencies, and to promote sustainable recovery when disaster strikes. And you'll look at ways to support communities at risk, increasing community resilience.

This program is meant for disaster and emergency management professionals and those who aspire to work in this growing field.

A one year Graduate Diploma in Disaster and Emergency Management is also offered. Credit for courses taken in the diploma program can transfer to the degree program.


Program outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you'll have skills like critical thinking, communication and an understanding of best practices to work in sectors like international development, disaster management and mitigation, emergency response and international NGOs.

Program delivery

This program is delivered through a blend of online learning and on-campus residencies.

Online learning

Online courses consist of assigned readings, synchronous or asynchronous lectures, interactive discussions, and individual and team assignments.

You’re expected to meet deadlines and contribute meaningfully to your class. Your contributions are a big part of everyone’s learning.

You’ll take one online course at a time for a period of nine weeks, followed by a two-week break. Each online course requires approximately 20 hours of work per week.

You'll start your program with a non-credit, but required, course about academic integrity.

Residencies

This blended program has two two-week on-campus residencies.

Residencies are intensive and immersive. Many students say this time together is the highlight of their program.

During your residency, you can expect to:

  • attend classes full time (e.g., Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • complete homework and individual and team assignments outside of class hours
  • take part in extracurricular activities

Completion options

During the first year of study, students in the MA in Disaster and Emergency Management take the same set of courses as students in the related Graduate Diploma in Disaster and Emergency Management. During the second year of your Master's level studies, you can select from the following options:

Thesis

If you choose to write a thesis, you'll be required to take a second research course during your second residency.

Coursework

If you choose to complete your degree through coursework, you'll be able to continue your studies online during the second year, choosing electives from any of the four Humanitarian Studies graduate programs.

Coursework with internship

If you choose the coursework option, you may also take a six-credit internship, which gives you field experience. You'll also document the experience of applying your knowledge in the field.

Courses

NOTE: School of Humanitarian Studies students are required to complete all courses in sequence. Exceptions require Program Head approval. With the exception of HUMS 551 and 691, all other HUMS courses may have students from MA Conflict and Management, MA Disaster and Emergency Management, MA Human Security and Peacebuilding, MA Justice Studies and MA Interdisciplinary Studies programs co-registered in the same course.

To see order and date of courses, please refer to the program schedule found under overview tab.

Course-based Track - Required Courses

ITAI

Introduction to Academic Integrity

0.0 Credits

Online

DEMNSOL

Student Orientation to Learning

0.0 Credits

Online

DEMN502

Foundations in Disaster and Emergency Management

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN503

Facilitation, Coordination and Decision Making in Multi-Stakeholder Environments

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

DEMN504

Human Dimensions of Disasters

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

HUMS551

Foundations of Research

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN552

Hazard and Disaster Risk Management

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN553

Disaster Response and Sustainable Recovery

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN601

Disaster and Emergency Management Planning: From Policy to Practice

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

DEMN602

Advanced Professional Practice: Planning for Resilience in an Age of Uncertainty

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

HUMS691

Short Paper

3.0 Credits

Online

Course-based with Internship Track - Required

Take all the same courses as the Course-based track PLUS the following 

HUMSIP

Internship Preparation and Career Management Skills

0.0 Credits

Online

HUMS644

Internship

6.0 Credits

Directed, Field, Lab or Major Project, Online

Course-Based Tracks - Electives

  • Student's choose THREE electives if they are on the Course-based Track.
     
  • Student's choose ONE elective if they are on the Course-based with Internship Track.

Courses are broken into three time periods.  To see what courses you can choose for each time period please refer to the program schedule found under overview tab.

HUMS641

Foundations of Policy and Practice in Humanitarian Action

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS643

Ethno-political Conflicts in the Canadian Context

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS661

Risk and Crisis Communication

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS671

Transdisciplinarity in Practice

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS611

Intercultural Competence

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS651

Case Studies in Humanitarian Action: Advanced Policy and Practice

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS652

Adaptive Management for Complex Humanitarian Problems in the 21st Century

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS672

Public Images of Justice and Fairness

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS642

Psychosocial Interventions: Managing Stress, Trauma, and Loss

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS653

Environmental and Resource-Based Conflict Management

3.0 Credits

Online

HUMS662

Professional Practice in Conflict and Change Management

3.0 Credits

Blended

HUMS673

Indigenous Perspectives on Humanitarianism

3.0 Credits

Online

CPWB500

Foundations: Reframing Child Wellbeing in Complex Global Realities

3.0 Credits

Online

PJMN501

Managing Complex Projects

3.0 Credits

On Campus, Online

Thesis Track - Required Courses

ITAI

Introduction to Academic Integrity

0.0 Credits

Online

DEMNSOL

Student Orientation to Learning

0.0 Credits

Online

DEMN502

Foundations in Disaster and Emergency Management

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN503

Facilitation, Coordination and Decision Making in Multi-Stakeholder Environments

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

DEMN504

Human Dimensions of Disasters

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

HUMS551

Foundations of Research

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN552

Hazard and Disaster Risk Management

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN553

Disaster Response and Sustainable Recovery

3.0 Credits

Online

DEMN601

Disaster and Emergency Management Planning: From Policy to Practice

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

HUMS630

Advanced Research Methods

3.0 Credits

Blended, Online

HUMS695

Thesis

12.0 Credits

Directed, Field, Lab or Major Project

Faculty

Alexander Krueger portrait
Alexander Krueger

Associate faculty

Portrait of Alice Cullingford
Alice Cullingford

Associate faculty

Amy Christofferson

Associate faculty

Portrait of Arshad
Arshad Khalafzai

Associate faculty

Benjamin Morgan

Associate faculty

Portrait of Bryce Casavant
Bryce J. Casavant

Associate faculty

Chris Kearns

Associate faculty

Dale Christenson

Associate faculty

Portrait of Daneille McCann
Danielle McCann

Associate faculty

Dave Hutton

Associate faculty

Portrait of Jean Slick
Jean Slick

Associate professor

Kathleen Manion

Program head

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Standard admission

  • Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a relevant and related field*, with a minimum GPA of 'B+' (3.33/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution

* Relevant and related fields are defined by each program based on disciplinary and/or professional practices.  Applicants are required to address how they consider their academic education to be relevant and related to their desired program of study within the personal statement questions.

Flexible admission

  • Applicants who meet the degree requirement, but not the GPA requirement, will be required to have a minimum 5 years of relevant* professional experience.
  • Applicants without an undergraduate degree will normally require 10 years of work experience, with a minimum of two years of relevant* professional experience in a leadership or management position**, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • All flexible admission applicants will be required to complete"Academic Writing and Critical Thinking" several weeks prior to starting the program and obtain a minimum B+ (77%).

* Each program, based on disciplinary and/or professional practices, defines what is considered relevant professional experience.  Applicants are required to address how/why they consider their respective supervisory (and overall work experience) to be relevant and related to their desired program of study within the personal statement questions.

** Experience in a leadership or management position is considered on the basis of a holistic review of career progression, which demonstrates increasing competency and/or responsibility.  This can include, but is not limited to, supervisory functions, signing responsibilities, contributions to organisational change and/or implementation of organisational vision and mission.  Applicants are required to address how they consider their work experience to meet these requirements within the personal statement

English language proficiency

  • If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

Personal statement

The statement's purpose is to assess applicants' writing skills, as well as their interest and ability to complete the program. Your personal statement should be written as a three to four page narrative and must address each of the following questions using each question as a separate heading):

  • 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? 

Letters of reference

Two letters of reference are required and 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.

Structured résumé

Applicant's résumé must include the following:

  • Post-secondary education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
  • Work experience: Please include name of organization, position, length of service (month and year), and a brief description of duties.
  • 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: Provide any other information which you believe is relevant to your application and will be of assistance to the review committee.

If applicable:

  • Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
  • Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
  • An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
  • Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.

Financial aid and awards

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RBC Community Integrated Learning Grants

Funding for students completing a required career learning and development (CLD) work term in the community of at least 420 hours with an organization that cannot provide wages or compensation.

Up to $8,500

Development

ACT WEST Community Foundation Fund

The ACT WEST Community Foundation helps support single mothers build better lives for themselves and their children.

up to 4 years tuition

External

Single Parents

Admiral John Charles and Mary Charles Scholarship

Awarded annually to a second year School of Humanitarian Studies student who is currently serving or retired military.

$1,500

Active students (In-course)

AEBC/Allyant Scholarship

The Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) works to improve the lives of blind, deafblind and partially sighted Canadians...

From $1,500 to $2,500

External

Allan Cahoon Global Advancement and Diversity Award

Assist students in underrepresented populations who wish to promote diversity.

$1,000

Active students (In-course)

Allan Cahoon Scholarship

This scholarship aims to encourage academic excellence, supporting students who excel both academically and through their leadership.

$1,500

Active students (In-course)

Andrea Fallan Memorial Bursary

Provides financial assistance to a second year BCom student for exceptional leadership, community involvement, and dedication to promote a cohesive team environment.

$500

Active students (In-course)

Asper Foundation Communications Award

Awarded to students in communications-related degree working in, or seeking to work in the communications industry.

$5,000

Active students (In-course)

Assistance Program for Students with Permanent Disabilities

This program helps students with permanent disabilities pay for exceptional education-related services and adaptive equipment.

Up to $12,144/year

External

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