Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development

Location

Newcastle

Description

This program is associated with CIFAL Newcastle, a United Nations training centre with a focus on disaster resilience and sustainable development, which is hosted at the University of Newcastle. The United Nations has partnered with the University to develop the Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development. Students in this program develop the best practice knowledge and skills needed to implement the new UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Organisations around the world are realising that by championing sustainable development, they can not only save lives and revenue, but also achieve a competitive advantage and lead the way within their industry. They seek to become more resilient in the face of disasters by mitigating risks and reducing their impact. If your role involves identifying, mitigating and managing business, safety or environmental risks – or if you aspire to such a position – this program will place you at the forefront of your field

The program is available both online and face-to-face on campus. 

Why study this program?

• Receive UN co-certification – complete courses that are co-certified by both the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
• Direct engagement with UNDRR resources – receive training aligned with the Sendai Framework – the United Nation’s global strategy for disaster risk reduction.
• Be recognised internationally - our School of Architecture and Built Environment is in the top 150 in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by subject list (2022).
• Flexible study options – our advanced online learning system provides you with the flexibility and support to study anytime, anywhere to balance work, life and study.

Themes

This the first and only degree to contain UN co-certification in the use of tools and frameworks central to disaster preparedness, reconstruction and resilience building.

It contains core elements related to disaster resilience and sustainable development that are underpinned by a practical grounding and application of the UN-SDGs and Sendai Framework and the development of disaster risk reduction and management skills.

Core courses include:

• Theory and Practice of Disaster Risk Reduction
• Policy and Social Considerations in Disaster Risk Reduction
• Disaster Resilience Economics
• Government Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction
• Private Sector Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction
• Sustainable Development and the 2030 Development Agenda
• Professional Practice in Disaster Risk Management
• Professional Practice Research Project

Depending on your entry level, you will also complete between one and eight courses from a list of directed courses. These include courses in community development, sustainable development, and related areas of:

• project management
• law
• business management
• environmental management
• social sciences
• social work

Target audience

The Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development is designed to appeal to those in or aspiring to obtain management positions in private and public sector organisations, as well as those in NGOs and civil society, whose work involves resilience-building through the mitigation of impacts arising out of extreme events. If your job role involves identifying, mitigating and managing business, safety, environmental, or health risks – or indeed if you aspire to such a position – this program will allow you be at the forefront of your field of expertise.

Admission requirement

This program recognises prior learning. Admission is available to applicants who can demonstrate a suitable combination of education, professional experience and industry qualifications.

There are five pathways into the Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development (MDRSD) program:

1. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (120 units) is available for applicants who have:

• a three year bachelor degree and a minimum of one year of work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant

2. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (80 units) is available for applicants who have:

• a three year bachelor degree and five years' work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant; or
• a four year honours bachelor degree, or a three year bachelor degree plus a relevant graduate certificate or graduate diploma

3. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (80 units) is available for applicants who have:

• a three year bachelor degree and five years' work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant plus the UON Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reducation
• a four year honours bachelor degree, or a three year bachelor degree plus the UON Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction

4. Direct entry into the MDRSD program (160 units) is available for applicants who have:

• an advanced diploma or associate degree and five years' work experience in a role that is deemed to be disaster-relevant; or
• a three year bachelor degree which is not accompanied by employment in a disaster-relevant role or work experience

5. Indirect entry into the MDRSD program via the Graduate Certificate in Disaster Risk Reduction (GCDRR). Upon completion of the GCDRR, students would be eligible for admission into the MDRSD program (160 units) with 40 units of credit. This entry path is available for applicants who have:

• an advanced diploma or associate degree which is not accompanied by employment in a disaster-relevant role or work experience.

Relevant work experience will be assessed using the following information:

• An applicant statement detailing current role and work experience that is disaster-related
• A statement of service relating to disaster-related employment
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae

Frequency

Annual

Application procedure

To begin the registration process, please click here.