Bachelor of Emergency Management

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Emergency Management focuses on the concepts associated with emergency risk management, including hazard and risk assessments, emergency operations management and the recovery management of communities following the impact of an emergency event.

About the course

The Bachelor of Emergency Management aims to develop a practical as well as theoretical base for those people who have responsibilities in the field of Emergency Risk Management.

The course is designed to meet the needs and interests of a variety of client groups ranging from public bodies concerned with the protection of life and property such as local government, the police, fire, ambulance, state emergency services and community and health services to a myriad of private sector groups (e.g. the insurance industry, manufacturing industry).

Research has shown that the amount of damage being caused to communities around the world from both natural and technological hazards is increasing steadily. The management of natural and technological disasters has been formalised through government legislation establishing emergency management organisations which must develop and maintain community counter-disaster preparedness and plans at all levels of the community.

To enable our communities to become more resilient and sustainable from an emergency management perspective, we must ensure that they continue to develop their emergency risk management capabilities. The development and conduct of emergency management activities (e.g. hazard and risk assessments, emergency management plan development, operations management strategy development, community recovery strategy development) will assist in reversing the hazard trend by minimising the risk of hazards occurring and the consequences when they do occur. Such activities are an essential aspect of comprehensive emergency management practice for communities.

Articulation

The Associate Degree in Emergency Management is an exit-point only course within the Bachelor of Emergency Management.

Credit

Depending on student/ applicant qualifications, credit can be awarded for appropriate industry training applicable to the field of emergency management (e.g. some relevant TAFE Certificate 3, 4 and Diploma level courses and specific industry courses such as State level Introduction to EM courses, humanitarian aid programs etc.) or previously completed tertiary education subjects, thereby reducing the total number of subjects required to complete the degree.

CSU has deemed that some courses provided by Emergency Management Australia's Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) at Mt Macedon in Victoria (including the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety) have sufficient concepts, principles, educational content and assessment regimes to make them equivalent to subjects within the Bachelor of Emergency Management. Credit applications are dealt with on a case by case basis and determined by a thorough analysis of the applicant's submission.

More information about credit and pathways.

Key learning areas

Subjects are grouped according to three key Emergency Management and a series of Core and Elective learning areas to meet the objectives of the courses.

The key learning areas are:

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management subjects provide students with a foundation level knowledge, understanding and appreciation in the key areas of emergency management planning, emergency operational management and emergency recovery principles and practices associated with the management of emergencies within our communities.

Social Sciences

This grouping of subjects provide foundation knowledge and understanding in areas of Psychology and Sociology relevant within the Emergency Management discipline. The subjects emphasise the application of psychology to the human services, while in sociology, the aquisition of knowledge and understanding of social issues (e.g. gender, ethnicity, community) is the focus of attention.

Human Resource Management and Management

The subjects in this key learning area are designed to provide emergency management practitioners with the knowledge and skills associated with the management of human resources and general management concepts and principles. The subjects in this sequence cover topics ranging from financial planning, organisational behaviour, the role of the human resource manager and the processes of training and development in organisations.

Climate Change and Environmental Science

The subjects in this learning area provide the student with an understanding and appreciation of the impact that climate change is having on our communities and society and the relevance of effective environmental management within our communities. Subjects in this area cover topics ranging from climate change, water policy and management, natural resource management to sustainability.

Spatial Science and Geographical Information Systems

This learning area provides a range of subjects that are designed to enhance the students’ understanding and appreciation of the role that spatial science and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have within our communities and the potential they provide for enhancing the management of hazards and risks impacting upon our communities. Subjects in this area cover topics ranging from spatial science, image analysis, remote sensing to principles of GIS and GIS applications.

Law and Policing

This learning area provides students with an understanding and appreciation of the specialist linkages that exist between the areas of emergency management and the law enforcement and community/ public safety sector. Subjects in this area cover topics ranging from applied legal studies, investigative interviewing, team management and leadership to terrorism awareness.

Course components

The Bachelor of Emergency Management course is made up of a series of core (required to be studied) subjects, including all ten (10) emergency management (EMG) subjects as well as seven (7) non EMG subjects. On top of these 17 core subjects, students are required to select a further four (4) subjects from the elective subject pool.

The emergency management core subjects fall into the three key areas of emergency management planning, emergency operations management and emergency recovery management.  Each key area is studied over 12 to 18 months, with subjects within each area designed to follow on from the previous, providing students with a step by step appreciation and understanding of the key concepts, principles and practices associated with that aspect of emergency management.

The core non-EMG subjects are organised so that some are studied concurrently with the earlier EMG subjects and the remainder are studied consecutively with latter EMG subjects.
Students who successfully complete the 14 subjects (128 credit points) required for the Associate Degree (approximately 2/3 of the way through the degree program), may elect to exit the program and receive the Associate Degree in Emergency Management.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Emergency Management is a nationally recognised award.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

Professionals teaching you

The course is taught by dedicated professionals with a wide range of industry experience.

Two academics who will guide you through the course are:

Ian Manock (Course Coordinator and Lecturer)

Ian joined Charles Sturt University in 1999, having previously worked as a Regional Emergency Management Officer with the Tasmania State Emergency Service for eight years. In his position, Ian was responsible for maintaining the preparedness of regional emergency management plans. He acted as an adviser to local and state government agencies and private industry in the preparation of local emergency management plans and procedures.

Prior to joining the SES, Ian was a Senior Inspector of Police with the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. Ian was also an officer in the Royal Air Force.

He has spoken on emergency management related issues at a number of state and national conferences and workshops and has had a number of emergency management papers published. Ian holds a Master degree in Emergency Management.

Valerie Ingham

Valerie joined Charles Sturt University in 2005, having previously worked as a lecturer at the University of Western Sydney. In her position, Valerie was a member of the teaching and supervisory team within the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Emergency Services), coordinating aspects of the NSW Fire Brigade's Inspectors Promotion Program.

Valerie is currently undertaking a PhD and holds a Master degree in Adult Education.

Admission requirements

Preference will be given to applicants who currently have emergency management responsibilities.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2