**[Royal Roads University -- Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency
Management]{.underline}**

The Royal Roads University's School of Peace and Conflict Management is
proposing a two-year interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Disaster and
Emergency Management. The program is designed to teach student how to
effectively apply theories, principles and approaches dominating the
field. The program will give participants a comprehensive overview of
the field as well as an appreciation of the knowledge and skills needed
to predict, assess, mitigate and recover from natural, human-induced,
and complex incidents.

The program will centre on four key competency domains:

1.  1\. emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery and
    disaster management

    2\. leadership, teamwork, communication, inter-agency collaboration

    3\. analytical thinking, strategic planning, decision making,
    problem solving, conflict and crisis management

    4\. research

The proposed program aims to help educate a new generation of
professionals capable of employing integrated, globally appropriate
disaster and emergency management approaches. The Master of Arts in
Disaster and Emergency Management is targeted at both existing and
aspiring disaster management and emergency services professionals.
Students are expected to fall into two broad categories: working
professionals wanting to upgrade their education and students wanting to
pursue a career in disaster and emergency management.

**What will you learn?**

Upon graduation, learners will be able to plan for and manage complex
crises. Competencies MADEM graduates are expected to acquire include the
following:

**Knowledge**

-   Knowledge of disaster and emergency management theory and practice

-   Comprehension of different types of natural and human-induced risks
    (environmental, health, infrastructure, business, international,
    bio-chemical, nuclear, and technological)

-   Knowledge of disaster management's pillars (mitigation,
    preparedness, response and recovery) and various emergency
    management principles, models and approaches

-   Knowledge of methods and approaches that promote community
    resiliency and facilitate post-incident recovery and community
    rebuilding

-   Familiarity with national and international agencies involved in
    disaster and emergency management

-   Understanding of the communication, inter-agency collaboration,
    strategic planning, decision making, problem solving, thinking and
    conflict management skills required to manage complex emergencies

-   Knowledge of the role of research and the ability to critically
    analyze and conduct research and contribute to the field.

-   Ability to apply theoretical models and practical tools to manage
    risks, disasters, emergencies and crises

**Skills**

-   Ability to analyze, predict, mitigate, assess, respond to, manage,
    and recover from natural and human-induced disasters and emergencies

-   Ability to organize and manage emergency operations centres and work
    with other agencies

-   Ability to assess a variety of risks and resources and develop and
    operationalize comprehensive emergency plans

-   Ability to think analytically, critically and strategically;
    synthesize information and make decisions in complex, unpredictable
    situations; solve problems quickly, creatively and collaboratively;
    and work effectively in dangerous, stressful, unpredictable
    situations

-   Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively using
    written, face-to-face, broadcast, and web-based media

-   Ability to gather, assess, use and disseminate information
    efficiently from and to a broad range of sources and audiences,
    including the media and volunteers

-   Ability to conceptualize, mount, manage and supervise complex
    projects, including business, financial, logistical, legal,
    political, technical, communication and social concerns

-   Ability to gather, interpret, synthesize and analyze data and
    design, conduct, report, interpret and critically evaluate emergency
    preparedness and disaster management research.

**Attitudes/Abilities**

-   Ability to deal with uncertainty, complexity, multiple perspectives
    and stress

-   Ability to balance leadership and teamwork

-   Ability to manage change, accept challenge, exercise initiative,
    consider new ways of thinking, and develop new, innovative
    approaches to disaster and emergency management

-   Ability to use systems thinking and take social, economic,
    environmental, political, cultural and other factors into
    consideration

-   Appreciation of and respect for others' cultural differences,
    values, beliefs and worldviews.

-   Ability to act professionally and make ethical choices and be
    accountable for them

-   Ability to critically reflect on and evaluate self and own work on
    an ongoing basis

-   Ability to contribute to the field.

**Curriculum Overview**

The two-year MADEM program consists of two three-week residencies, four
online courses including a practicum, and a major research project,
totaling 36 credits.

**Residency I**

-   Disaster and Emergency Management in Theory (3 credits)

-   Disaster and Emergency Management in Practice (3 credits)

**Online Courses**

Each online course will be 10 weeks duration. Learners can schedule
their practicum to suit themselves, but must complete it before the
second residency begins.

-   Disaster Assessment, Planning, Prevention and Protection (3 credits)

-   Incident Management and Post-incident Recovery (3 credits)

-   Research Methods (3 credits)

-   Practicum (3 credits)

**Residency II**

During the second residency, which will last for three weeks, learners
will complete two courses.

-   Skills and Strategies: Capstone Simulation (3 credits)

-   Insights and Issues: Professional Developments in Disaster
    Management (3 credits)

**Independent Research**

-   Major Research Project (12 credits)

The Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management is designed for
those with an undergraduate degree and relevant work experience who wish
to complete a masters degree.

The new program is scheduled to start in April 2007.

For more information:

> Contact: Royal Roads University
>
> Enrolment Services
>
> 2005 Sooke Road\
> Victoria, B.C., V9B 5Y2\
> CANADA
>
> Ph: 1-888-778-6227
>
> Email: <pcs@royalroads.ca>
>
> Additional Information: To learn more about Royal Roads University go
> to [www.royalroads.ca](http://www.royalroads.ca/)
>
> Additional Phone:
>
> Update: 8/14/06

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