Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management – PGCertEmergMgt

Increase your knowledge of emergency management issues, practices, and policies with Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management.

Type of qualification
Postgraduate certificate
Level of study
Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

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

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete
6 months full-time (if study commences in Semester 1) (60 credits)
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 on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand

Study a Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management – PGCertEmergMgt

Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management will give you a range of knowledge about theory and research in emergency management. It covers emergency management issues, practices and policies.

If you’re a mid-to-senior level emergency manager, and are interested in expanding your emergency management competencies, this diploma is for you. You’ll build advanced knowledge of emergency management at both operational and strategic levels.

Learn from the leaders

You’ll work closely with professionals at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research, an exciting collaboration between Massey University and GNS Science, based at Massey’s Wellington campus.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management, you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • a  Graduate Diploma in Emergency Management with at least a B grade average, or
  • a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management, with at least a B grade average, or
  • an undergraduate degree and at least 2 years of relevant industry/professional experience.

You will need to 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.

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.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete some undergraduate and all postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

More information

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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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 Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management

Structure of the Postgraduate Certificate in Emergency Management

If you study full-time, you’ll take 60 credits in 1 semester.

Courses and specialisations

Courses and specialisations

Credit summary

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

60 credits

  • Courses from the Schedule – 60 credits

Subject courses (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 130701 Natural Hazards 30 credits

A study of natural hazards and their effects. Specific attention will be paid to earthquakes, windstorms, flooding, volcanicity, tsunamis and landslips and their impact on people and the environment. Hazards particularly relevant to New Zealand will be emphasised.

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Course code: 130702 Coping with Disasters 30 credits

Study of the human issues and problems involved in preparing for and coping with disasters. Attitudes towards disaster preparation are studied together with the nature of disasters and their effects on human beings. The organisation and control of human behaviour during disasters will be studied together with rehabilitation interventions, particularly for the alleviation of stress for those involved.

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Course code: 130705 Emergency Management 30 credits

An examination of the social, psychological, community and organisational aspects of disaster management in New Zealand. Emphasis is on the development and implementation of an all-hazards, comprehensive and integrated approach to emergency management. Selected readings and case studies will be used to facilitate the development of an effective response to social, psychological, community and organisational issues.

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Course code: 130706 Emergency Management in Practice 30 credits

This course studies the practical application of current emergency management theory. The emphasis is on examining a specific topic area, analysing current trends and discussing practices that will enhance reduction, readiness, response and recovery efforts in managing disasters and emergencies.

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Course code: 132751 Natural Hazards and Resilient Communities 30 credits

A study of natural hazards and the role of planning in building sustainable and disaster resilient communities. Develop and apply planning processes and tools to assess hazard vulnerability, reduce hazard risks, improve disaster readiness, develop effective response capabilities, and facilitate recovery.

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Course code: 230703 Techniques and Methods in Evaluation Research 30 credits

An in-depth examination of a range of qualitative, quantitative, mixed and innovative methods, skills and techniques as they would be applied to practical, 'real-life' evaluation questions.

View full course details

Fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

2026 tuition fees

  • Domestic students: $5,807
  • International students: $23,295

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 (60 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 $582 for on-campus students and $474 for distance students for full-time study (60 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. Students who are eligible for final-year fees free can normally receive up to 120 credits of fees free. However, if you choose to study this certificate you will only receive up to 60 credits fees free. You will not be able to claim the remaining 60 credits of fees free for future qualifications. For further information see the Inland Revenue website.

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