Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management – GradDipEmergMgt

Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management will broaden your knowledge and skills in emergency management to help develop community resilience.

Type of qualification

Graduate diploma

Level of study

Graduate study
NZQF level 7

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)
Part-time available

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Key dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management – GradDipEmergMgt

Emergency management (also known as civil defence or disaster management) is an exciting and growing global profession.

Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management is comprised of undergraduate courses. You’ll have a wide range of courses you can choose from (electives).

You’ll gain skills in emergency management planning, communication and incident management, which will qualify you to work in a range of contexts.

A GradDipEmergMgt is a good fit if you:

• need to do more undergraduate courses to enter postgraduate study
• have emergency management experience
• are interested in emergency management.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a university degree or equivalent, or another approved qualification; and
• have completed at least 1 year of civil defence or emergency management related experience.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the Get advice button.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management

If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over 2 semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

• Courses: Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
• Course code: Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course , the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
• Credits: Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
• Specialisations: Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

• 120 credits
  • Compulsory courses – 30 credits
  • Courses from the Schedule – 90 credits

Course planning key

• Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
• Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Compulsory courses (Choose 30 credits from)

• Course code: Introduction to Emergency Management Credits: 15 credits
  • An introduction to principles, theory and practices of emergency management.
• Course code: Incident Command Systems Credits: 15 credits
  • This course introduces the systems used to manage emergencies, including the New Zealand Coordinated Incident Management System and other international variations. Consideration will be given to operational management concepts and tactics for effective incident response.
  • Prerequisites: Any 200-level course or Graduate Status

Elective courses (Choose 90 credits from)

• Course code: Disaster Risk Management Credits: 15 credits
  • A study of the principles and practice of disaster risk management including disaster risk identification and assessment processes, and the use of risk information in decision-making and communication.
• Course code: Project Management Credits: 15 credits
  • An introduction to the theory and methods employed in project management.
• Course code: Social Psychology Credits: 15 credits
  • A survey of contemporary experimental social psychology. Against this backdrop critical perspectives are introduced with particular emphasis on the practice of discursive psychology in the New Zealand context.
• Course code: Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Credits: 15 credits
  • An introduction to Occupational Health and Safety and its application to workplaces in New Zealand. The course will explore the complex relationship between health and safety, factors in the working environment affecting health and safety and systems intended to regulate and manage the working environment.
• Course code: Strategies for Sustainable Development Credits: 15 credits
  • A consideration of concepts, processes, practices, and possible strategies for sustainable development at global, national and community levels. Special attention is paid to examples of strategies that seek more sustainable livelihoods.
• Course code: Leadership Practice Credits: 15 credits
  • A critical analysis of the theory and practice of leadership relevant to public and private organisations and the development of ethical leadership and citizenship in a variety of socio-cultural contexts.
  • Restrictions: ,
• Course code: Strategic Management and Governance Credits: 15 credits
  • An examination of strategic management concepts, the tools and techniques of strategic analysis, and issues associated with governance including business ethics.
  • Prerequisites: Any 200 level Management course
  • Restrictions: ,
• Course code: Environmental Health Risk Management for Disasters Credits: 15 credits
  • Advanced theory and practice in environmental health risk management applicable to typical disaster and humanitarian relief scenarios encountered in New Zealand/Pacific Rim.
• Course code: Organisational Communication Credits: 15 credits
  • This course draws on current research and theory to examine the communication process, and practices in the context of organising.
  • Restrictions:
• Course code: Public Relations Management Credits: 15 credits
  • This course provides an in-depth examination of public relations theory and shows how it applies to practice. It focuses on strategic engagement with diverse publics, the development of long-lasting and meaningful organisational relationships, and reputation management.
  • Prerequisites:
  • Restrictions:
• Course code: Crisis and Reputation Management Credits: 15 credits
  • This course critically evaluates ways that organisations can manage reputational risk and communicate in response to crisis situations.
• Course code: Media Law and Ethics Credits: 15 credits
  • Students learn how to publish safely by navigating the legal and ethical challenges of writing and publishing in today’s digital age.
  • Restrictions:

Fees and scholarships

2026 tuition fees

• Domestic students: $8,420
• International students: $42,300

Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.

There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Course fees

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Our graduates normally find positions as mid-to-senior level managers in organisations such as:

• public and private sector civil defence and emergency management staff
• lifeline utility professionals
• fire, ambulance and defence services staff
• health services professionals
• managers or directors in the civil services
• policy analysts.

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