Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Emergency Management (MEmergMgt) provides advanced study of disaster and emergency management, including the organisation of communities before, during and after disasters.
• Students develop knowledge and skills in critical application of theory and research, disaster-risk analysis, crisis leadership and communication, decision-making, and emergency-management policy and procedures.
• The programme offers both coursework and research pathways, allowing students to follow an advanced professional/leadership route or undertake a substantial thesis.
• Teaching and research are connected with Massey’s Joint Centre for Disaster Research, which contributes contemporary disaster-management research to the programme.
• The programme is relevant to students who already have an undergraduate degree and, for one entry route, at least two years of relevant professional experience. It is also suitable for applicants progressing from a Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Management.
• The programme covers issues relevant to disaster prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, resilience, leadership and climate-related hazards.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is divided into Part One and Part Two. Students must complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.

Coursework pathway:

Part One requires 120 credits:

Compulsory courses – choose 60 credits from:

• 130705 Emergency Management – 30 credits
  Examines the social, psychological, community and organisational dimensions of disaster management in New Zealand. It covers an all-hazards, comprehensive and integrated approach to emergency management.
• 230703 Techniques and Methods in Evaluation Research – 30 credits
  Covers qualitative, quantitative, mixed and innovative research/evaluation methods and their application to real-world evaluation questions.

Part One electives include:

• 130701 Natural Hazards – 30 credits
  Covers earthquakes, windstorms, flooding, volcanicity, tsunamis and landslips, including their effects on people and the environment.
• 130702 Coping with Disasters – 30 credits
  Examines human issues involved in preparing for and coping with disasters, including disaster behaviour, preparation and rehabilitation.
• 130706 Emergency Management in Practice – 30 credits
  Applies contemporary emergency-management theory to specific practical issues, with emphasis on reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
• 130707 Professional Inquiry in Emergency Management – 30 credits
  Develops inquiry skills for examining professional practice and improving emergency-management practice.
• 132751 Planning for Natural Hazards and Climate Resilient Development – 30 credits
  Covers hazard exposure, vulnerability, risk reduction, disaster readiness, response, recovery and climate-resilient development.

Part Two – Coursework pathway:

Students choose 60 credits from:

• 130800 Advanced Leadership in Emergency Management 1 – 30 credits
  Covers operational and strategic leadership, organisational psychology, politics, law, ethics, team leadership, communication and crisis decision-making.
• 130802 Advanced Leadership in Emergency Management 2 – 30 credits
  Further develops advanced operational and strategic emergency leadership through case studies and critical reflection.

Research pathway:

Part One consists of 90 credits:

• 60 credits from the compulsory course selection
• 30-credit elective from the programme schedule.

Part Two consists of a 90-credit thesis:

• 130881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 – 45 credits
• 130882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 – 45 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Emergency Management is awarded without a specialisation. This is explicitly stated in Massey's formal qualification regulations.

The main study areas include:

• Emergency and disaster management
• Natural hazards
• Disaster risk
• Community resilience
• Crisis leadership
• Emergency communications
• Disaster preparedness
• Disaster response and recovery
• Climate-resilient development
• Emergency-management policy
• Professional inquiry and evaluation research
• Strategic and operational leadership.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's degree.
• 180 credits.
• 1.5 years full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Wellington campus and distance/online options.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Coursework and research pathways.
• Research pathway includes a 90-credit thesis.
• Advanced-entry credit may be available for students holding the Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Management.
• Focus on disaster risk, emergency management, crisis leadership, communication, policy and decision-making.
• Teaching is connected with Massey's Joint Centre for Disaster Research.
• No formal specialisation.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that graduates normally find mid-to-senior-level management positions in organisations such as:

• Local government
• Central Government
• Public safety agencies
• International humanitarian aid organisations.

The programme's subject areas can also support career development in areas such as:

• Emergency management
• Disaster risk management
• Civil defence
• Crisis management
• Business continuity
• Humanitarian response
• Emergency planning
• Public-sector policy
• Disaster resilience
• Risk and preparedness
• Emergency-management research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme is offered at Wellington campus and through distance/online study.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• The programme has two progression routes: coursework and research.
• Coursework-pathway students need at least a B average across their first 60 Part One credits to progress to Part Two.
• Research-pathway students need at least a B+ average across their first 60 Part One credits to progress to Part Two.
• Some courses have compulsory contact requirements. In particular, Emergency Management in Practice requires attendance at a minimum four-day summer-institute contact workshop, including field visits, and a further two-day contact workshop.
• Professional Inquiry in Emergency Management requires 130705 Emergency Management and 230703 Techniques and Methods in Evaluation Research as prerequisites.
• Advanced entry may be available for students with the Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Management.
• The qualification is formally awarded without a specialisation.
• Massey's regulations state that field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials and laboratories must be attended where required by the programme.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student who will physically study at Massey's Wellington campus, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires, among other things:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character where required.
• Genuine reasons for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.