Master of Emergency and Disaster Management

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Location
Online
Next start term
Term 3, 2026
Study mode
Online
Course code
CM52
First-year fee
$10,518 (2026 Indicative) (CSP)
$30,600 (2026 Indicative) (FFP)
This course can be studied full-time (1.5 years) or part-time (3 years). Commonwealth Supported Places available, offering significant fee savings.
Overview
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OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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Emergency Disaster Management students strategising at a table in front of a trainline

Overview

Advance your career in emergency and disaster management, or gain the skills and knowledge needed for a career in this rewarding field with the Master of Emergency and Disaster Management. Throughout your studies, you will 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. 

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. 

You 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.

Study Experience

Discover more about your postgraduate emergency and disaster management degree, offering flexible online study options and significant fee savings for eligible students. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Commonwealth Supported
  • Experienced Teaching Team
  • Flexible Online Study
  • Seamless Pathways
  • Student Support
  • Study Full-time or Part-time

Career Opportunities

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.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. 

You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below. Visit the Academic Calendars webpage for key dates relevant to your chosen intake.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete 12 units (72 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (9 units)
  2. 2
    Two level-8 electives
  3. 3
    One level-9 elective

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Core Units

You will study the nine units listed below.

Showing 8 of 9

Electives (Level 8) Units

You will choose two electives from the list of units below.

Showing 8 of 26

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

If you have prior experience or have studied previously, you may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning (RPL), which can help reduce your study load and the time it takes to complete your degree.

Learn more about credit and RPL, including application timelines and the overall process.

This course does permit you to defer your offer and commence at a later date.

Learn more about the offer process.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) depending on the type of place you are offered, for example, a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or Full Fee Paying (FFP) Place. The indicative fee provided should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.

Commonwealth Supported Places

With Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this course in 2026, you may be eligible for significant fee savings, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

If you are not eligible for a CSP or if CSPs are full, you will be required to pay full fees.

Important

If you are a new student and are offered a CSP, you must submit an eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) with the Australian Government to confirm your place, even if you are ineligible for or don’t intend to use a HECS-HELP Loan.

This is a Government requirement, and if you don’t submit before your commencing census date, your enrolment for the term will be cancelled.

HECS-HELP

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. 

Learn more about paying for university.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier
  3. 4
    Receiving an offer
    Find out more about how your application will be assessed, offer types and timelines for receiving and responding to an offer.

Extra Admission Information

Learn about the assessment of applications and everything you need to know about receiving and accepting an offer to study with CQU.

Start Your Application

Use the Apply button below to access our Apply Online portal and start your application.

Apply

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