Postgraduate Coursework
Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management
2021
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.
As an emergency and disaster management professional, you will have 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 have essential knowledge and skills to lead and manage all phases of the disaster management cycle.
You will also confidently 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 (i.e. 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 course.
Career opportunities
The Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management complements your current professional resume, broadening your skill set and preparing you for management and leadership roles.
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities that focus on emergency and disaster management from prevention to recovery. Your qualifications could land you a role in health, environment, social wellbeing, humanitarian assistance and management.
Credit transfers & 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
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
English Language Requirements for International Students
For detail on English Language Entry Requirements please read the entry requirements provided for International students.
How to Apply
International applicants apply directly to CDU and should refer to the information provided for International future students Apply.
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.
International Pathway
Applicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.
Essential 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.
IELTS Academic Module | A 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 Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
Navitas Academic English (will not be accepted from 2021 onwards) | A minimum overall pass and 65% in Academic English 3 with a 65% pass in the research essay. (Note: this score will not be accepted from 2021 intakes onwards). |
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A 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.
Course structure
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.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
Unit type |
Credit Points |
Specific requirements |
Core Units (4 units) |
40cp |
Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context |
Specialist Elective (4 units) |
40cp |
Specialist elective units totalling 40 credit points: students are required to complete two Research Methodology units PLUS two specialist elective units selected from the available units. Select two from the below list PLUS two from the below specialisations Health Engineering ^ students completing a Graduate Certificate/Diploma who wish to undertake a level 4 (400 level) unit must do so via manual enrolment Management Environment Indigenous Knowledges |
80 |
Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Graduate Certificate AQF Level 8 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
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 Code | New Unit Code (2016) | Unit Title |
ATI410 | ATI501 | Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development |
ATI420 | ATI502 | Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics |
ATI430 | ATI503 | Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation |
ATI440 | ATI504 | Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies |
ENV401 | ENV521 | Community Engagement for Biosecurity and Natural Resource Management |
ENV504 | ENV516 | Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia |
PRBE001 | ECO501 | Economics for Managers |
PRBE002 | ECO502 | Decision Making |
PRBM009 | IBM501 | International Business |
PRBM016 | MAN501 | Cross Cultural Management |
PRBM021 | MAN504 | Human Resource Management |
PRBM022 | MAN506 | Organisation Behaviour |
PRBM030 | MAN508 | Organisational Strategy and Leadership |
PRBM034 | MAN515 | Operations 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 Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context | CO | DEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management | CO |
Specialist elective | SE | DEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management | CO |
Specialist elective | SE | DEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency Disaster Management | CO |
Specialist elective - Research Methods unit | SE | Specialist elective - Research Methods unit | SE |
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 Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
DEM512 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Emergency and Disaster Management | CO | ||
DEM513 Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management | CO | ||
DEM514 Cultural, Social and Psychological Aspects of Emergency Disaster Management | CO | ||
Specialist elective - Research Methods unit | SE | ||
Year 2 | |||
DEM511 Emergency and Disaster Management in Context | CO | ||
Specialist elective | SE | ||
Specialist elective | SE | ||
Specialist elective - Research Methods unit | SE |
Course 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) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: 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.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $31,000.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, 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.