Skip to main content
Start of main content
Humanitarian, emergency and disaster management
Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management

Key details

Duration

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

Intake

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

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

80

Course code

TEMDM1
SATAC/UAC codes

Overview

Based in the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, at the centre of the 'Top End' and Australia's gateway to Indonesia and Southeast Asia, this highly unique postgraduate program focuses on a geographic region that is unarguably the most prone to, and affected by various types of disasters. The Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management will equip you with the skills and ability to apply your knowledge and experience appropriately, collaboratively and productively in this vulnerable region and other parts of the world. You will graduate with essential knowledge and skills to lead and manage all phases of the disaster management cycle, as well as the confidence to apply your academic studies to practical responses and report on your professional experience into the academic sphere of this rapidly evolving sector. This in-depth course promotes its uniqueness in three areas: its focus on Asia-Pacific Region; its informed practice and research; its multi-sectoral approach.

This course is a pathway for further studies (for example, into a Master of Emergency and Disaster Management) and is supported by nationally and internationally respected industry partners. The Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in Emergency and Disaster Management are entry and exit pathways for the Master's degree.



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

Both Commonwealth supported (CS) and full fee (FF) places are available for this course. If you would like to apply for a CS place use the SATAC code 1GD022 or UAC code 822030. If you would like to apply for a FF place you will need to use the SATAC code 1GD522 or UAC code 872030.

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 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?

The Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management is an introduction to core and specialist knowledge in emergency and disaster management in the Asia-Pacific region. You may choose from a range of specialist elective subjects in research methods, health, engineering, environment, management, and Indigenous knowledges. Graduates of the course may continue on a pathway to the Master of Emergency and Disaster Management.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Core Units
(4 units)
40cp

Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed 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 Elective
(3-4 units)
40cp

Specialist elective units totalling 40 credit points.
Students are required to complete 20 credit points of Research Methodology units plus 20 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 (new title 2022)
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)
IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts
IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies
MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation
PHM526 Research Design
PHM527 Research, Ethics and Impact
PHM552 Epidemiology
PHM553 Biostatistics
PHM588 Qualitative Research

Select 20 credit points from one or more of the specialisation groups listed below:

Humanitarian Aid and Development
DEM516 Reflective Case Study: Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management (not available from Semester 2 2023)

Indigenous Knowledges
IAS530 Neo-colonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development (replaced ATI501 2020)
IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics (replaced ATI502 2020)
IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation (replaced ATI503 2020)
IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies (replaced ATI504 2020)
IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation
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

Engineering and Information Technology
ENG519 Sustainability
ENG573 Communications Systems
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability
PRT571 Asset Security and Risk Management
ENG462 Water Resources Engineering (no longer available from 2022)
ENG473 Communication Systems (no longer available from 2022)

Management
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise (replaced MAN508 2022) 
BUS506 Global Megatrends (replaced MAN506 2022) 
BUS508 Business Analytics (replaced BUS501 2022) 
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability (replaced ECO504 2022) 
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship
MAN514 Management for the Executive
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership
HRM503 International Human Resource Management (no longer available from 2022)
IBM501 International Business (no longer available from 2020)
MAN501 Cross Cultural Management (no longer available from 2020)
MAN515 Operations Management (no longer available from 2022)

Environment
ENV501 Tropical Invaders and Biosecurity
ENV502 Remote Sensing
ENV506 Environmental Monitoring and Modelling
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management
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 (not offered 2024)
ENV518 Applied Spatial Analysis for Real-World Problems (title changed 2023)
ENV520 Wildlife Management
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management
ENV511 Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning (no longer available from 2022)

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 2024)
MPP505 Ethnography and Policy

Social Work
SWK521 Analysing Social Work Foundations (compulsory intensive)
SWK522 Co-creating Social Justice in Practice (compulsory intensive) (not offered 2024)
SWK523 Social Work Theory for Advanced Professional Practice (compulsory intensive)
SWK524 Communities, Social Change and Development
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)

 80Total Credit Points

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

 

COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022
From 2022, the course structure has changed as follows:
- Two additional specialisations, Public Policy and Social Work, have been added to Specialist Electives
- Addition of more specialist elective choices

Unit Changes:
The following units are no longer available for enrolment as part of this course. Students who completed these units prior to 2022 may continue to count the units towards Specialist Electives. 

Unit CodeTitle
ENG462Water Resources Engineering
ENV511Real-World Statistics and Data Reasoning
IBM501International Business
HRM503International Human Resource Management
MAN501Cross Cultural Management

ENG473 Communication Systems has been replaced by ENG573 Communication Systems. Students that have completed ENG473 should not complete ENG573.
ECO504 Business Economics has been replaced by ECO505 Economics of Sustainability. Students that have completed ECO504 should not complete ECO505.
BUS501 Decision Making has been replaced by BUS508 Business Analytics. Students that have completed BUS501 should not complete BUS508.
MAN506 Organisational Behaviour has been replaced by BUS506 Global Megatrends. Students that have completed MAN506 should not complete BUS506.
MAN508 Organisational Strategy and Leadership has been replaced by BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise. Students that have completed MAN508 should not complete BUS504.
 

COURSE CHANGES - 2019

Management Sequence
ECO501 has been replaced by ECO504 and is equivalent. Students who have completed ECO501 should not complete ECO504.

COURSE CHANGES - 2018

MAN504 has been replaced by HRM503 and is equivalent. Students who have completed MAN504 should not complete HRM503.
ECO502 has been replaced by BUS501 and is equivalent. Students who have completed ECO502 should not complete BUS501.
ENV508 Applied Geographic Information Systems is now Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Thinking.
ENV518 Advanced Spatial Science is now Analysing and Synthesising Spatial Data.
PHM552 Introduction to Epidemiology is now Epidemiology.
PHM553 Introduction to Biostatistics is now Biostatistics.
 

Unit Code Changes 2016 

Previous Unit CodeNew Unit Code (2016)Unit Title
ATI410ATI501Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development
ATI420ATI502Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics
ATI430ATI503Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation
ATI440ATI504Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies
ENV401ENV521Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management
ENV504ENV516Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia
PRBE001ECO501 Economics for Managers
PRBE002ECO502Decision Making
PRBM009IBM501International Business
PRBM016MAN501Cross Cultural Management
PRBM021MAN504Human Resource Management
PRBM022MAN506Organisation Behaviour
PRBM030MAN508Organisational Strategy and Leadership
PRBM034MAN515Operations Management

Study plan


Students commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load.

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in ContextCODEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
Specialist electiveSEDEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster ManagementCO
Specialist electiveSEDEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency Disaster ManagementCO
Specialist elective - Research Methods unitSESpecialist elective - Research Methods unitSE

 

Specialist Elective Availabilities
Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Research Methodology
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)
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
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability
ENG519 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
SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health
SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy
Research Methodology
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)
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
ENG573 Communications Systems
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management
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
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)
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation (INT-4, INT-6)
MAN514 Management for the Executive (INT-1)
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership (INT-4)
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts (INT-3)
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability
ENG519 Sustainability
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability


Students commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load.

Legend:CO = Core UnitSE = Specialist Elective
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 Disaster ManagementCO
  Specialist elective - Research Methods unitSE
Year 2
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in ContextCO  
Specialist electiveSE  
Specialist electiveSE  
Specialist elective - Research Methods unitSE  

 

Specialist Elective Availabilities
Semester 1Semester 2Intensive Periods (INT)Summer Semester
Research Methodology
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)
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
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability
ENG519 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
SWK525 Loss, Grief and Mental Health
SWK526 Leadership in Social Policy
Research Methodology
EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education
IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)
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
ENG573 Communications Systems
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship
ENV507 Fire Ecology and Management
ENV521 Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management
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
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)
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation (INT-4, INT-6)
MAN514 Management for the Executive (INT-1)
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership (INT-4)
MPP501 Theoretical Approaches to Public Policy in Northern Contexts (INT-3)
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability
ENG519 Sustainability
PRT551 Project Management Risk and Reliability

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.


Essential requirements

English language requirements

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. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in 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 ModuleA 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.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Graduate Diploma 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 or TAS.

UAC

UAC is the application channel for residents of NSW.

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/UAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
UAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1GD022
822030
Casuarina campus (FF)
1GD522
872030
Online (CSP)
1GD022
822030
Online (FF)
1GD522
872030
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
089412M

We are here to help

Submit an enquiry and our friendly team will be in touch.

You can unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy notice.
Back to top