Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management – GCertEmergMgt

Take your first step towards a career in emergency management with Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management.

Type of qualification

Graduate certificate

Level of study

Graduate study

Graduate qualifications normally involve study in a different area to your first undergraduate qualification. Some are stepping stones to postgraduate-level study.

More about study levels

NZQF level 7

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

6 months full-time (60 credits)
Up to 8 years part-time
Part-time available

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Study a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management – GCertEmergMgt

Emergency management focuses on the organisation of communities following disasters, including how to:

  • respond
  • survive 
  • rebuild social structures and infrastructure
  • sustain and preserve life.

Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management gives you an introduction to emergency management concepts. It also introduces you to incident command systems, leadership and communication.

You can choose from a wide range of elective courses to target your professional development requirements and personal interests.

A GCertEmergMgt is a good fit if you:

  • have a university degree or other approved qualification
  • want to earn a graduate qualification to create a study pathway to learn emergency management
  • 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 Certificate in Emergency Management qualification you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or another approved qualification
  • have completed at least one year of emergency management-related experience.

You will provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

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:

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.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Structure of the Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

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 219206, 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

60 credits

  • Compulsory courses – 30 credits
  • Electives from the Schedule – 30 credits

Ensure overall you have at least 45 credits at 300 level.

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)

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 130202 Introduction to Emergency Management 15 credits

An introduction to principles, theory and practices of emergency management.

View full course details
Course code: 130301 Incident Command Systems 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

View full course details

Elective courses (Choose 30 credits from)

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 131321 Strategies for Sustainable Development 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.

View full course details
Course code: 152336 Leadership Practice 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: 152328, 152329

View full course details
Course code: 152350 Strategic Management and Governance 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: 152341, 152365

View full course details
Course code: 214301 Environmental Health Risk Management for Disasters 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.

View full course details
Course code: 219303 Organisational Communication 15 credits

This course draws on current research and theory to examine the communication process, and practices in the context of organising.

Restrictions: 114353

View full course details
Course code: 219305 Public Relations Management 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: 219209 Restrictions: 114363

View full course details
Course code: 219312 Risk and Crisis Communication 15 credits

This course critically evaluates ways that organisations can manage reputational risk and communicate in response to crisis situations.

View full course details
Course code: 219335 Media Law and Ethics 15 credits

A reflection on ethical issues involved in contemporary media practices and the application of the principles of media law.

Restrictions: 219331

View full course details

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

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 and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

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 roles 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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